An unsolicited, unauthorized recommendation...

While in the throes of Moby Dick, I  came to two realizations.

1. The reading of this book can be neither hurried nor swift.
 AND
2. The review will be tantamount to an academic chore, one with quite a bit of weight attached to it...

The burden of reviewing a classic, am I up for the challenge? How badly do I want to be an intellectual that is received by the intellectual community? Because what if I, dare I say it... HATE Moby Dick!?!

 If this occurs, I run not only the risk of being shunned by fellow bookworms but of being unpatriotic as well. (Melville is considered the one if not the first great American author.) I am by no means passing judgment, being only in the 3rd chapter and 1% finished with the book(Thank you Kindle Fire.), but so far... it ain't looking so good.

So to occupy my time not spent digesting the lofty(read arrogantly formal) verbose(read wordy words words) prose of Melville, (Circumambulate, really? We can't just say walk around?!?), I decided to post about something I love that has been a help to me.

We all know that occasionally authors suffer from writer's block, artists from lack of inspirations, poets from muselessness, but what is the readers' equivalent? I have decided to attempt to coin the term:


book bankrupt- severely lacking in quality literature to read, incapable or uninspired to find a good book. Usage: Jessica was book bankrupt after finishing the Game of Thrones series.

I know it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but it does describe how I feel when I can't find a good book to read.

So what do I do when I have the book bankrupt blues (It's growing on you, isn't it?), I visit a site called http://www.goodreads.com/.

Goodreads is a place where you can review, rate, and catalog books you have read. You can track books you are reading, create a list of books you want to read, and even see what your friends are reading. But the very best part is the recommendations. After rating books you have read, the site will actually compile a list of books they think you will enjoy! They have summaries of the books, looks at the cover, and reviews posted by other readers like yourself! You can even join a book club, and read while being virtually social. It is supremely wonderful!

So be sure to circumambulate(Ha! Melville.) the site and get to know all the awesomeness that is goodreads.com. I hope you enjoy this recommendation, I am off to slog through some more Moby Dick. :)