12.21isn’t my usual kind of book: it’s the bestseller-y, Da Vinci Code type. (That said, I liked The Da Vinci Code.) I usually stick with established novels – or, at least, established authors. 12.21 kept popping up on my radar, and I’d just read Hard Times and was in the mood for something lighter. And lighter it is, though it’s not what I expected. Which was hardcore disaster fun. Like The World Is Ending! California Is Falling into the Ocean! Run! Except it’s not, and I’m not sure that I’m not just a little disappointed.
It’s about a major pandemic. Some kind of virus is going around that causes insomnia. After a few days, those affected go crazy for lack of sleep. There are all kinds of theories about how it spreads, but they finally figure out that it’s airborne. Then, to find the cause! Which ties into the whole The World Is Ending on 12/21/12! because The Mayan Calendar Is Over, and We Don’t Know What That Means! thing. So some characters head down to South America to find out what’s going on. Then, Things Continue to Happen.
I must admit that I was skeptical, simply because this is the bestseller thriller type, and I never think I’ll like those. In fact, The Da Vinci Code might be the only one I’ve read, so maybe I shouldn’t be so biased against them. Anyway, 12.21 is a good read if you’re looking for something light and fun. I read through it really quickly, as I had a really hard time putting it down. If nothing else, you’ll be entertained for a few hours.
