In response to smilla4:
a lot of people call Austen stodgy and prissy, which I can't understand, because she was a forerunner of women authors. Besides, the language she used was normal language back then. It just seems like every time I bring up P&P people sort of wrinkle their noses in disgust and scoff, "oh. AUS-ten." :x (pretend high-five for those who appreciate!
)
But I love it. (Especially the A&E version of the movie, with Colin Firth as Darcy - HIGHLY recommend it!) I read Mansfield Park as well, but I didn't like it half as much as p&p, which is satirical and actually very funny.
I do actually retain a lot of knowledge from reading, which is a blessing. See, I don't have a TV - never had, probably never will - so reading has always been the preferred way to pass time, and since I have that upbringing, that's probably why I read as quickly as I do and still understand most of what I read.
Da Vinci code was great . . . BUT (yes, there is a BUT!):
I read Digital Fortress (same author, published first) first, and it depreciated my liking of the da vinci code. How can that possibly be, you ask? Well, the formula is the EXACT SAME, to the point that when I read the code, I could predict (with a good deal of accuracy) what was going to happen next.
So, that's my major complaint - rather canned. But the historical info was absolutely fascinating, so I still recommend it (just not along with anything else he's written).