The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follet (USS Book Club)

What I liked:
- the storylines
- most of the characters (some of the baddies were especially well done, particularly William)
- the shifting viewpoints
- the Aliena and Jack love story

What I didn't:
- the endless descriptions of how precisely to build a cathedral (down to measurements. No one cares! Move on!)
- the ending (Phillip was happy about whipping the King? WTF?)
- the fact that I still have no idea why it was called Pillars of the Earth

The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay

I have wanted to read this book for a long time, for more than 10 years actually, since I first sang 'Mother Africa' with Wammick. I made sure to finish reading the book before watching the movie, but it turned out to be a bad plan because I got all worked up about all of the things left out of the movie and the addition of a female love interest (boo!). Overall I think I was happier with the book, but I will always love The Power of One soundtrack.