Outlander and The Lost Symbol on my Keeper Shelf

I've got some VERY good news coming. Can't say anything just yet... (and you know it's killing me) but soon, soon. All will be revealed...

Don't you just HATE teases like that?
Me too, but I'm feeling smug so it's staying ;)

On books: I read two this week, thanks to a bout of insomnia.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown -- let me start by saying I LOVED IT. The architectural puzzles of Washington DC, a fascinating peek behind the secretive veil of the Freemason society, a new mystic science called Noetics... it was all good.
This is one author who really does his homework. I don't mind waiting years and years for an author's book if he can captivate me so.
I almost took notes so I wouldn't forget some of the tres cool things he imparted.

But, I must laughingly agree with the critics who shake their heads at Mr. Brown's writing style. Eeeks. One sentence that will not dislodge itself from my head is "The door hissed loudly open."
Thank goodness he's an awsome storyteller :)

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander -- yes yes,... it's about time. The book came out in the early '90's and I've been meaning to read it since, but never quite got around to it.
Is it good? Let me just say, this 850 page tome took me only a little over 24 hours to read because I could not put it down.
I wish more books like Outlander were published today. These days, the shelves seemed to be packed with quick reads, lots of white space, and pacing that leaves you feeling like you've been on a rollercoaster for an hour too long.
Ms Gabaldon took time to fully develop her characters so when they did jump on the coaster, you were rooting for them, hurting for them, and falling in love with them. She also had a brilliant balance of description (ah, Scotland -- made me ache to go), history and romance.
If you haven't read this modern classic, do. Don't let the thickness or lack of white space intimidate. It's got nicely spaced section breaks... IF you can put it down.
Go. Buy. Enjoy the kind of books that are rarely published today ;)

On Television:

LOST is back this Tuesday!!! WOOT!!!

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