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Recommendations

The Books in Review for 2020

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We’re at week 39/40 for book reviews with a goal of 53 this year. Friday a new review will go up as per usual, but I decided before that review to post how I came to the books I have been reviewing. Last year, when the prepping for this year on the website began, I tried something I hadn’t done before, at least not attempted.  I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Sometimes, I admit, I didn’t pick up a book or read nothing new, but I had read a lot before and after these periods. I have a tendency to lean toward horror, non-fiction, fantasy, poetry, short story collection, biography, documentary-style, and even philosophical enlightenment sprinkled with religious study genre. I enjoy learning new things and if a book captured any ombre of the above listed; I was hooked. 
From Moby Dick by Herman Melville to Armand by Anne Rice I have already reviewed many… many books so far, but the list which there is one began when I started looking at all the books I had or remember having then shortened the list into what I have read and are still sitting on the shelf or in the kindle to-be-read. I wanted to review books publically that I enjoyed, but also do it honestly. I dislike reviewing things I didn’t like, not wanting to give it attention, but I knew going into this year-long challenge I would appear bias or ‘fake’ if I didn’t mention these types of things. I also knew going in that many of these books were obscure to a younger readership or even considered classics. 
I didn’t want to review just recent publications as this wouldn’t be realistic to me as I didn’t start reading in recent years. The list began with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and will end with a book by American folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland, according to my list. Alongside the review, I also wanted to share how the book came into my life and share a bit of the book journey on a personal level.
 I hope that this year of reviewing has opened some minds to new books and given insight to the world of reading I have for myself. 

What are your thoughts? Have you enjoyed the reviewing so far this year?

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Recommendations

2020 Book Review: Moby Dick by Herman Melville

I don’t think I’m alone when I say I avoided reading this book for a long time because of the sheer size of it. I read this book later in high school, but paused to only finish it years later during my college years. It wasn’t any type of assigned reading I wanted to read it to say that I had because everyone seems familiar with it being one of the thickest books out there, alone with War and Peace, and even considered a ‘boring book’ and that it’s an achievement to finish it.

The story itself is basically about a man that has gone crazy chasing after a whale he lost his leg to on a past voyage. Ahab, the whaler after the sperm whale, is often described as monomaniacal (psychosis characterized by thoughts confined to one idea or group of ideas) which is one of my favorite words ever, but I digress. Ahab’s obsession on the whale that took his leg is the main item that pushes the story forward you also can see how Ahab is frustrated and saddened by his madness, he wishes to be free of this obsession.

There are plenty of beautiful metaphors which are done in such a way that gives credit to the author’s ability to tell a good story. It is a well written story, just a long one. Not recommended, ever, by anyone that wants a quick read or a beach book.

This review is a part of my 2020 yearlong self-challenge to read and review. I have reread some books for the purpose of reviewing them on my website whereas I have read others for the first time. Check out Book Reviews and Recommendations to find other book reviews, book recommendations, and more information about the books I’m reading, have read, or are sharing.

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts? Do you agree with me? Do you disagree? Let’s have a conversation about it.

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