I vowed I would never read Moby Dick. Too long and too boring. Who really wanted to read that many pages about a whale?
Well, fast forward 3rd year of college. I was taking a 6-week summer course in 19th century American literature and guess what was on the syllabus.
Yep,
Moby Dick. I had 2 days to read it. Initially, I tried to read it, but I realized that it was not humanly possible for me to do so. I bought Cliff Notes for the first time in my life. Honestly, I didn’t mind because I really didn’t want to read it. Remember it was a vow!
Then in the last 2 months I have had 2 people that I respect recommend it to me. Just seemed like too much of a coincidence so I thought I would give it a whirl and picked it up at the library. It’s still long and it’s still about a whale, but I realize now it’s about so much more. I’m actually glad that I haven’t picked it up until now. I don’t think I could have appreciated it at another time like I do now. It’s so rich. Here are a couple of my favorite lines:
Yes, as every one knows, meditation and water are wedded forever.
A noble craft, but somehow a most melancholy! All noble things are touched with that.
While most of my reading time has been spent with Ishmael and Captain Ahab, I also have found time for a few new cookbooks, and I seem to always make time for a design book or two. I haven’t read Readicide yet, but look forward to brushing up with something in my field. I haven’t had much time to do that in the last 5 years.
What’s on your nightstand this month? Or your Kindle/Nook? What books are you rediscovering?
p.s. I’d love to hear your thoughts about Moby Dick, too!
Click here to see what was On My Nightstand in February.
