The Lost Symbol: 5 Stars!

Read Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol." This time Robert Langdom finds himself on a life saving quest in Washington D.C. He alone can save the day because of this knowledge of Freemason history and symbology. Fascinating, fast paced, thought provoking, and well researched like his previous books.

Loved it. 5 Stars!

Neonu
http://www.neonujewell.com/

Reviews

See http://twitter.com/neonusinsite for more

• Kristin Scott Thomas in the French film "I've Loved You So long" - 5 Stars! on DVD
• Book Review: "Persuader" the 7th Jack Reacher Thriller by Lee Child (my 1st) - 4 Stars! Fast-paced mystery led by Reacher, an ex-military cop
• Book Review: Dan Brown's "Deception Point" and E Lynn Harris' "I Say A Little Prayer" 4 Stars! Walter Mosely "The Long Fall" 2 1/2 Stars!
• U in or going to NY make reservations at Anissa. Fantastic culinary experience - 5 Stars!
• Rick Bayless' Frontera restaurant in Chicago. Arrive before it opens at 5 to stand in line for seating or get reservations. Packed by 5:10. Frontera Mushroom Fundido 5 Stars! Angus steak and Top Chef Masters' Tongue is off the hook

Three Book Reviews: Thomas Greanias & Stephenie Meyer

By Clarence Lewis

It’s been a minute since I’ve given you the buzz on any of my reading material so I’m going to triple your pleasure, triple your fun by giving you quickies on the last three books I’ve read. First we’ll start with “Raising Atlantis” by Thomas Greanias. Set in one of the most remote places on Earth, Antarctica, this quasi Sci-Fi story is full of action and moves at a tremendous pace. No wasted words. Also, because the author is a screen writer, the books feels like a movie script. Character development is woefully lacking, but the story is strong enough to not make it too noticeable. Overall, it was enjoyable and a great airplane book. Nothing warm or fuzzy, more like a literary shot of espresso. I don’t really have a rating system yet and books are so subjective, but I give this one a “thumbs up.”...

Greanias’ sequel is titled “The Atlantis Prophecy.” I actually read this book first. I didn’t know. I hate it when there are references to previous events and characters that I don’t know about. I almost stopped reading. But now that I’ve read “Raising Atlantis”, I’ve even considered going back and reading “The Atlantis Prophecy” again, but I just don’t have that kind of time. The sequel was actually better than the first. The plot is better, though several of the same characters are utilized. This one is less Sci-Fi and more historical and they do a decent job of tying in historical figures to this modern day tale. It’s set in DC (my home town) which makes it all the more interesting because I’ve been to most of the places the characters frequent. The Atlantis Prophecy also has a movie feel. The concepts are fairly simple. Another airport book or weekend read. I also give this one a “thumbs up.” Note: I recommend you read them in order to avoid my confusion.

The Last book is “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. It’s a woman’s book, but a good book. It’s about vampire love, not to be confused with alien love for my “Bowfinger” fans out there. (If you’ve never seen Bowfinger with Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin, then you’ve missed a hilarious movie and you don’t get my joke, sorry.) Anyway, it’s a true love story with great character development and imagery. Even though it is a bit of a “chick book”, I still think it’s worth men checking it out. This is book is probably what they had in mind with the phrase “curl-up with a good book.” Personally, I don’t think I have ever “curled-up”, and if I did, there were no books involved. If you are starving for adventure then this one may be a little slow for you, but it’s still a good read. I give this one a “thumbs up.”

Happy reading and I hope it doesn’t take me so long the next time.

Book Review: Standing at The Scratch Line

By Clarence Lewis

Hey Guys!!! I was having dinner with Neonu and was telling her all about a great book I���d just finished reading. She said I should write a review to share with the InSite Family, so here you go. The book is titled, ���Standing at the Scratch Line��� by Guy Johnson. Johnson is the son of renowned author and poet Maya Angelou (not that genetics has anything to do with writing).

The book was recommended to me by my mom. It sat on the shelf for 2 months because the title was so strange I thought it was about black people struggling to make it, a la Good Times. Boy was I wrong. This book is set in the early 1900���s and is about the life and times of King Tremain. One of my friends who also read the book described the character as ���the man every man wishes he was���. Remember the Godfather Part II when they show you the history of Don Corleone and how he became the godfather. Now make that character a black man building an empire during the height of Jim Crow and Harlem Renaissance. THAT���S THE HOOK!!

When I think of that time period, I picture it like ���Gone with the Wind��� and ���To Kill a Mocking Bird��� and other famous films which depict black people as always waiting to be saved or redeemed by the white majority. That���s what makes this book unique to me. It presents the idea that even in the worst of social times if you stand strong, then you can control your own destiny. King Tremain is definitely a force to be reckoned with (guns a blazing, if necessary). One of my boys read the book and called him an absolute ���stud.��� My mom thinks it���s the best book she ever read. I wouldn���t go that far. She also said that every woman wishes she had a man with some (not all) of King���s characteristics. That I can agree with whole heartedly.

I���ve turned about 10 people on to the book and everyone who's read it has enjoyed it. The book didn���t get much acclaim so you���ll probably have to find it on Amazon or some other online book store. Oh, if you do read it and you enjoy it (I���m sure you will), don���t forget to check out the sequel, ���Echoes of a Distant Summer.��� Maybe I���ll tell you about that one another time.

PS. I could say so much more about this book like what is the meaning of the title, but I���m going to let you find out that and much more on your own.