#31 The da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The book became famous and a movie came out of it. It was the entire series of Robert Langdon that I enjoyed. Some of course were better than others.

Angels and Demons, Da Vinci Code, and the Lost Symbol are among the best of the books, with the others trailing out behind. There is something about a pseudo realistic mystery novel that grabs. It points to secret societies, backroom organizations, and conspiracies that make these books fantastic.

Realistically, you go into them not knowing what is real or fake. Mixed among the actual history is speculation and conjecture that bring these books to life and make them more interesting and more enjoyable than they have a right to be.

My favorite will always be the Da Vinci Code. The hunt for the holy grail. Robert Langdon is pulled into a mystery where he is a suspect, and is running accross England and France hunting for the clues for a modern hunt for the Holy Grail. Digging through old histories, and symbolism that is his trade, he interprets what he sees with a partner that takes him to the next step.

I read this when it came out, and later read three to four additional books. Many were stretches of the imagination. Taking it too far to really enjoy it. What makes it real is the possibility that it may be real. That is what is fascinating about the books. Maybe. Just maybe the hunt for treasure is something we can all stumble across and participate in.

Five years ago, this rated at 26 on my list. It has slid over time, not because I find the series less appealing, but because there are other books that I found that have moved above it. Still very enjoyable.