Thoughts
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, Houghton Mifflin Company · Riverside Editions 1956 (orig 1851), 432 pages.
Recorded Books 2008, narrated by Frank Muller, 22 hours
I heartily recommend anyone who has any interest in this ASTONISHING work of literature to listen to the audiobook. The story comes alive.
I was more than impressed with the passion and drama that Melville presents in this oh-so-much-more than a determined captain chasing his nemesis, The White Whale. And it has comedy and wit, too.
Sure, I will freely admit, that parts might be considered BOOOORRRRINNNG; Herm tediously offers every describable biological inch of the whale, every huge and minute detail of the whaling industry, and all sorts of facets about creatures of the deep to astound and fascinate and bore. Also thoughts on the Great Questions of philosophy & religion. But the language could also be delightful and poetic and lyrical and it was a lot of fun to listen to. Most of the time.
However, by 15 hours in, I was ready for this 22 hours Festival of Leviathans to be over. I likely heard only 80% while driving around or attempting to vacuum. I zoned out. As soon as dialogue came back to my ears, I was fully into it and entranced once again.
“Moby-Dick is not only a very big book; it is also a peculiarly full and rich one, and from the very opening it conveys a sense of abundance, of high creative power, that exhilarates and enlarges the imagination. This quality is felt immediately in the style, which is remarkably easy, natural and “American” yet always literary, and which swells in power until it take on some of the roaring and uncontainable rhythms with which Melville audibly describes the sea.” - Introduction by Alfred Kazin, Editor
I also heartily recommend Sam Ita’s Pop-Up Book:
Sterling Press 2007, 8 pages
I love pop-up books… 
I had always been intimidated by Moby-Dick. Nineteenth century language, it’s either loved or hated (which honestly, are the books that appeal to me), it’s long, Fizzy hated it, etc. But I found a copy that my Father-in-Law used in college that included some of his hand-written notes and I was thrilled to have that connection. I seriously doubt I would have survived it without the audiobook. But now that I’m finished, I could be tempted to read it again (someday). I live near New Bedford, Massachusetts which is steeped in whaling history and offers fun Melville connections – and a fabulous whaling museum. Come visit!
Now, if you prefer a more artsy interpretation of Moby-Dick, you might want to read what Brain Pickings shares about Matt Kish and his project to illustrate every page of this classic. I honestly can’t decide if I would want to look at this in its entirety, but I’m also quite drawn to it…

My favorite Moby-Dick quotes:
“Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian.”
“It is not down on any map; true places never are.” (remind you of anyone? reminds me of Harry Potter and/or Neil Gaiman)
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.”
“To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be who have tried it.”
This post is dedicated to my good friend KB, who has endured my tweeting and mailing quotes from this magnificent work of literature; my hope is that I might lure her to the pages and the poetic prose within.

The End.
Finis.
I am glad to have read ye, my Moby-Dick. And glad to be done with ye! Til next time, fare thee well.
HIdeinWhitetoSkipLine
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Howl’s Moving Castle
Published April 6, 2013 Author Recommendation , Celebration , Classics , Fantasy 17 CommentsTags: Diana Wynne Jones, funny story - I commented on Jenny's post that I will go to the library and find anything by DWJ and yet somehow I did not have my card with me when I went - so odd, Howl's Moving Castle, I keep wanting to type Diane's name with two 'n's, I like coconut, the image of the book cover links to indiebound instead of goodreads because I'm still a bit upset about Amazon buying them even tho I admit I do buy kindle ebooks, Wales
Thoughts
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, A Greenwillow Book EOS • An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 2008 (orig 1986), 429 pages
I have been wanting to read this since Jenny of Jenny’s Books educated me on the MUSTS of knowing this author.
I wrote all about my attempt to participate in the first DWJ Week way back when in my review of her short story collection Mixed Magics. <– click on that underlined part Miss Mad…
I enjoyed Mixed Magics and I must say that Howl’s Moving Castle is just as delightful.
Delightful and LIVELY. Lively was the word I used to describe Mixed Magics and it applies here, too. Especially the beginning. I was grinning and giggling and very much excited to continue once I began. Ms. Jones just writes extremely engaging and SMART stories.
So this time around, “they” declared March as DWJ month and tweeted and twitted about it with hashtag #dwjmarch. I was a bit late to the party and was proud of myself for getting my hands on this book. Finally. AND reading it in March. Though I had to finish it in April.
I’m not going to yap too much what it’s about. An eldest daughter realizes that because she is the eldest, her chances of adventure are non-existent but things end up happening to her anyway. I’m actually liking the story even more reflecting on it.
Question for you parents of 11 year olds… Is this the perfect book for an 11 year old niece of mine? I’ve been just the wretchedest of aunties and forgot her birthday. I know, I feel horrible. So much for vying for FAVORITE-AUNT.
I actually am thinking of sending her the non-perishable ingredients plus recipe for Coconut Custard Pie – I just don’t know if she likes coconut! oh well, I think I’ll do it anyway…
SO then, let me know if you think I should buy this for the poor niece of mine who has been treated shabbily by Auntie-Care and do have a delightful day!
NEVERMIND. I believe this will be PERFECT for her. (I just read that post of Jenny’s again that I link to above…)
HIdeinWhitetoSkipLine