The Underdog Female, 23. Australia

I gave this book three and not four stars because i didn't like how it ended, how the reader is left empty and shocked. But i believe that is also the beauty of this story. The prose was easy to understand, the dialogue simple enough to appreciate. I am still reeling with the magnitude of the ending and i am imagining in my own head exactly how George is managing. I suppose this is what makes a story ticks? It forces you to ponder over it, even days after reading the book.

On the first few pages, Dan Brown sounds like he is trying too hard to match the hype of his previous bestsellers, but thankfully he found his footing after the next few chapters.

His writing is not terrible as many critics have stated, but it is not remarkable, like those of Jeffery Deaver, Lisa Gardner or Harlan Coben. However, his plots are certainly refreshing, and i like the puzzles that are in the novel. It is rare to find a novel where you can gain general knowledge and enjoy the fiction simultaneously.

Also, i like that Dan Brown brings up issues, in this novel - Masons and New Age science. It provides motivation to read up on all these side issues.

Hence despite the hype or the condemnations, i really like Dan Brown's style of writing.

Perhaps the coolest mutant was featured in this book, but this last book of the series was getting a bit boring. Events happened just because the author felt like it, and nothing more was explained. I think the fifth book held the most answers to the Resident Evil puzzle, and was probably also the most engaging of the lot.

Overall, i am pretty glad i read the entire Resident Evil series. If only, all the novels could be adapted into movies, that would be great!

This book was just fantastic. Harlan Coben is a master of suspense. I could not put the book down from page 1, literally. The plot was intriguing, and while i am usually good at figuring mysteries out, it took me quite a while and towards the end before the pieces of this puzzle fell together. Brilliant.

To accomplish this project, Michael Wolf took photos of buildings and their occupants from the rooftops of neighbouring buildings. I thought that was a really novel idea. I have always been intrigued by the day to day lives of other people, and it really was cool to see a photo of the entire building, with different occupants in different rooms, at different levels, doing various stuff. I would have liked more photos focusing on the occupants rather than architecture, but i guess it would an invasion of privacy!

This book is fantastic. It is very heartening to see someone finally analyze and demonstrate that success does not come from mere talent or hard work. Opportunity plays a huge role too. Malcolm Gladwell backs his theory up with sturdy data; and it is both fascinating and enlightening to understand how these things happen.