The Lost Symbol - I picked this book up, inspite of the cool reviews it got from acquaintances. And I must say it deserves the cool reception it's been getting. Dan Brown seems to have lost his touch with building a plot and keeping the reader on edge. Reading the book was like sitting in a histroy class, though personally I think even that is much more fun. The extensive passages about masons and history of symobolgy etc and the constant jump in time line between the present and past had my head reeling. I read half and then due to lack of time ( I had to return the book in two days ) jumped to the end and did Not feel I missed out on anything. The ending was not at all surprising or enlightening in any way. In fact, I felt I could have done without the continuous presentation of listless twists like badly done magic tricks !!

What I personally liked about the book though is the concept that every thought and soul has weight and with enough positivity, both can make a genuine difference in today's world as we all together work towards postive goals, wheather by thought or by action. Truly inspiring idea !! Maybe that is what Brown should have used as the idea of his book, rather than a sub plot.

Here's hoping Mr. Brown sharpens his writing tools and gives us more refreshing writing that brings him on par to his previous outstanding, mind boggling books.