Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Review: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

 


Goodreads Overview:

While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is awakened by a phone call in the dead of the night. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, his body covered in baffling symbols. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci—clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Even more startling, the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci—and he guarded a breathtaking historical secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle—while avoiding the faceless adversary who shadows their every move—the explosive, ancient truth will be lost forever.

Review:

One of my bookish challenges every year is to read at least 3 of the books that have been on my TBR list the longest. This was one of the books that has been on my Goodreads list since September 7, 2010, so it finally made it to the top of the list. 

I honestly had no idea what this book was about until I started reading it. The theories and connections between Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Christianity, the Catholic church, and Da Vinci's works was absolutely brilliant. With Langdon, a Harvard professor, leading the discussion along with his colleague Sir Leigh Teabing, a British Royal Historian, the story flows like a history lesson. You can't help but question if there is any truth to the story. If so, why do the biblical stories paint a drastically different picture?

In addition to unraveling the mystery behind the Holy Grail, Langdon and Sophie Neveu must solve four murders to clear their own names. The closer they get to uncovering the truth, the more dangerous the mission becomes. They quickly realize they can't trust anyone.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and followed it up by watching the movie. Tom Hanks played Robert Langdon and did an amazing job of brining this book to life. The movie followed the book pretty closely and was highly entertaining. I don't always enjoy the movie after reading the book, but in this case, they did the book justice. Even if you aren't a reader, the movie is an action packed adventure with beautiful scenery. 

Monday, September 21, 2020

Review: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely

 


Goodreads Overview:

A bag of chips. That’s all sixteen-year-old Rashad is looking for at the corner bodega. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul Galluzzo, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad’s pleadings that he’s stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad’s resistance to leave the bodega as resisting arrest, mistakes Rashad’s every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered. But how can you stay still when someone is pounding your face into the concrete pavement?

There were witnesses: Quinn Collins—a varsity basketball player and Rashad’s classmate who has been raised by Paul since his own father died in Afghanistan—and a video camera. Soon the beating is all over the news and Paul is getting threatened with accusations of prejudice and racial brutality. Quinn refuses to believe that the man who has basically been his savior could possibly be guilty. But then Rashad is absent. And absent again. And again. And the basketball team—half of whom are Rashad’s best friends—start to take sides. As does the school. And the town. Simmering tensions threaten to explode as Rashad and Quinn are forced to face decisions and consequences they had never considered before.

Review:

This was one of the books assigned for my son's sophomore year summer reading. It is a thought provoking novel that is extremely relevant in today's society.  It highlights how two boys living in the same community and attending the same school are treated completely differently because of the color of their skin. Rashad is told from an early age to act and dress a certain way to avoid the injustices often inflicted on black males in our society. 

Quinn is a white student and a star basketball player. He isn't friends with Rashad, but he knows who he is because Rashad is good friends with English, another star player on the team. Quinn is treated like a celebrity in town because his father is a war hero that was killed in the line of duty. Everyone calls him the All American Boy, but what does that really mean?

After witnessing the brutal attack on Rashad by Paul, a white police officer, Quinn begins to question his own beliefs and ideas about racism. To compound the issue, he is friends with the Paul's younger brother and has always thought of Paul as a big brother or father figure. He wants to believe Paul, but he can't rationalize what he saw with the explanation he is receiving.  He knows he has to do something. Silence will only perpetuate the racism and inequality in this country. 

This is an exceptional book that everyone should read. The characters are very honest and realistic and I think everyone can benefit from the message that is shared. I watched an interview with the authors that was conducted by the Ohio Library Council and thoroughly enjoyed their dialog and backstory. They couldn't be any more different, but they connected while on a book tour together and have become great friends. They did an amazing job of sharing a harsh reality that has plagued our nation for far too long.