The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown

Okay, so I'm five years behind on this one. But I like the advantage of me waiting. Five years ago, I was in high school. Five years ago, I did not have the education on art and religions that I now do. Seeing as I am studying both subjects... this is the perfect time for me to throw myself into this book. I do however, feel that the amount of time is also a disadvantage for the book. At the time, it was played off that the theories in the book were truth, when really, I know that Mary Magdelen and Jesus did not have an affair, and she is not portrayed in the Last Supper. My belief in the affiar is not because of my faith, actually, I think if there were a direct decendant of Christ, my faith would be strengthened and I would feel that I would be a little closer to him myself. However, I highly doubt that he got married... Sorry Dan Brown and Kevin Smith.

I love and hate Brown's style of writing. The cliff-hangers at the end of every single chapter... gah!! It makes me want to skip all the Silas scenes to get back to Sophie and Langdon. Silas though, is becoming a little more interesting. I also think this is a tad tedious. Because he leaves you hanging... and it could be a great climax... but then he falls short of the delivery that deserves a cliff-hanger.

Overall though, I was a little disapointed. There was a tone of hype for this INCREDIBLE novel, and I found it a little UNincredible. I did not guess that Teabing was the culprit. I actually thought it was Fache the entire time. As for the infamous cop, definately not. a. fan.

I found myself using google as a tool in this one though. For reference to the pieces of art. My aunt loves the scenes in the Louvre. She tells everyone that the escape bathroom... she's been there. lol.

It is rare to find a book so centered on art. At least in my opinion. I think that's what kept my interest, the references to the paintings, the history, the religion, architecture, etc. love it. I loved forming the images in my mind and traveling there with Sophie and Langdon.

The end, where Sophie finds her grandmother did definately bring a broad smile to my face. And the Star of David bit was genius.

Four syllable sum up: dis.a.point.ing

New Moon, Stephanie Meyers

I can never go into a bookstore without getting an impulse buy. I originally went to get a cheap book for the purpose of my Egyptology paper. I ended up in the Young Adult section after finding it.





As a continuation of Twilight, I had to force myself to not start it right away and finish reading Killing Floor. I have a bad habit of starting books, and not finishing them. I have piles and piles of books, that are half read that I go back to read a few chapters, then get the book I really want to read *enthusiastic nodding*. Unfortunately, upon the end of Killing Floor, I had an essay due. Priorities, priorities.

I thought this was a vampire series... this is what I was told by multiple people. Werewolves?!?! hallejuah. Werewolves as the mortal enemy of Vampires... love it.

Meyers using a page per month to represent time passing... phenomenal. it required you to act in accordance with Bella. Time slipping like the pages of a well read book. Stronger point than if you were to just say four months later...

I have to say that I am not a fan of suicidal Edward. Though the theme of Romeo and Juliet worked really well for the book.

I have not decided how I feel about Jacob just yet. The entire time he was chasing after Bella, I kept saying to myself, "no, no, no... she's Edwards!" and rooted for him to return. It makes me wonder what will occur if Bella does join the Cullens though, stay tuned folks. This one could be a wild one

By far my favorite moment of this installment was Edwards proposal. Marry me, and I'll change you. I love that she's willing to give him eternity and her life, but not sure if she can marry him. Ha.

However, the book was touching. It said a lot for their love for one another, by having the Shakespeare theme. Who hasn't heard the tale, seen the movie, or read the play, right? We know about those star-crossed lovers who kill themselves. But Meyers used themes from the play that did not necessarily lead to their deaths. The separation theme. The triangle of persons involved theme. We'll see how true to the play this sticks with Paris/Jacob.

One word: Moving

Killing Floor, Lee Child

This is one of many classic cases with me. A situation that happens every year to a year and a half. My aunt goes through her books, places the ones she no longer wants in a pile, and if there are any that I want, I can take as many as there are. I've had this book for years, it sat in the back of a cabinet containing books I had not read yet. But in moving, my books had been removed and brought into a new light. The line on the back caught my eye, "All Jack knows is he didn't kill anybody. Not in their town, and not for a long time..."

This gave me the impression that something was going to come back and bite Jack Reacher in the ass. But there is no further reference to this line, except his emphasis on his military experiance.

I love the line: "Did you specialize? ... In the service?" "General duties, initially... that's the system. Then I handled secrets security for five years. The the last six years I handled something else." Let him ask. "What was that?" "Homicide investigation."

I found myself in a pattern though. Starting at roughly the middle of the book, where things begin to unfold, I would end up with the, "I bet it's..." syndrome. You know the one, where you're trying to figure out the culprit before everyone else thing. I have a friend notorious for hitting it right on the spot, particularly with movies. She never fails to tell me the ending to the movie, so I have begun to beat her at her own game and figure it out before her. When I read a thriller such as this, I find myself trying to beat the main character to the culprit.

Current Score: Jack Reacher: 0, Katelyn: 1

Granted, I read... a lot. I know the hints. There is always one person who's on the side of the good guys that turns out to be one of the bad. I didn't forsee who it was, but I knew there was one. I also had some previous knowledge about conterfeiting US currency that the average Joe (or Jane) would not necissarily know.

As for the romance between Reacher and Roscoe... It was sudden, in all aspects. Sudden to start and sudden to end.

I know this is the first of a series featuring Jack Reacher. However, I do not know how this will work out. He is in a small town, investigating a murder, the murder of someone from his personal life. So it makes sense that he sticks around and helps the investigation. But as to him being a professional wanderer, I don 't know how that will progress into a series. A free-lance homicide investigator? I might have to stay tuned just to figure out how Child works this one out. I have been warned though, that Reacher gets irritiating as the series plays out. Ebay will probably be my friend for this one.

I don't know that I would recommend this. Maybe if you're easily shocked. Maybe if you can get so lost in the pages of a book that you don't do the "beat Reacher to the punch" game like I did. It is a good story, Child just needs more subtle hints for the competative of heart. :)

Sum me up in a singular: PREEE-Dictable.