Are You a Zeitgeist Reader?

Once in a while, a cultural experience comes along that I take part in just to be in the know.

Some have led to love affairs, such as reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and watching the first episode of Lost. I tried them just to see what the fuss was about, and wound up loving them.

Some brought on a shrug and a meh, such as watching the first Matrix movie, and 1-1/2 seasons of The Sopranos. I'm glad I tried them, but wasn't compelled to keep going.

The latest shrug/meh combo came from Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. I knew going in I wasn't very interested in masonic history, but I'd enjoyed The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons enough to give it a shot. Then I heard a review (NYT Book Review podcast?) that said what you think the book is about turns out to be a MacGuffin, so I was intrigued. I also wanted to help pump up the initial ebook sales.

Outcome: one good surprise and a lot of transparent tricks. I won't give away the surprise (though it's possible I was the only reader surprised, and I'm not sure what the MacGuffin was), but I'll say Brown's method of getting the reader to turn the page began to make me laugh after the third or fourth time he used it -- seriously, it should be a drinking game. It goes something like: Langdon opened the door and stared, unable to believe what he was looking at. (Chapter break!)

But, it's all good. To each his or her own -- loads of folks loved The Lost Symbol, so good for Dan Brown (and his agent and publisher). I'm glad there are books that create frenzies; I hope they also create new readers.

Do you ever do this -- read or watch or listen to something just to be part of a cultural moment? What was the last one you took part in? What's been your favorite?

New to daily pie? Check out these other posts about reading:
Are You a Social Reader?
Are You a Simul-Reader?
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