- Whenever you have something you want to share, just spill it (you know you want to). Just create a post of your own, grab the button thingy above and then post a comment with the link to your post.
- I will be here every Saturday, but you need not commit to a weekly post. Post when you have something to share.
- Posts can be rants about something you are reading, or a deep, dark secret. All I ask is that the post relates to reading or blog reading in some way. If you want to piggy-back off of what I post, then that’s okay too.
- Posts can be as short or as long as you like and can include more than one topic.
- The goal is to get to know one another better.
Here’s mine:
Has a book ever done you in? Meaning, have you ever been so intimidated by a book that you actually find yourself loathing it? Years and years ago I picked up a copy of Moby Dick, read a few chapters and literally threw it against a wall. It frustrated me. Mainly because it seemed so above me and of course that was hard to admit at the time.
So a few years passed and I picked it up again. The same, battered copy no less! That time I got a little further but it still frustrated me. I thought that with age and experience I would somehow be at one with it. That didn’t happen though.
To make a long story short I have attempted to read it a total of SEVEN times. Yes! Seven! I don’t think anyone ever told me how wonderful it is or anything like that but for some reason, I feel the need to read it. You know, to put it to bed once and for all.
The other day I went to the bookstore and bought a better copy. One that wasn’t  beat up from my abuse. I plan to read it in chunks and then post about it as I go along. Even if it takes me half a year, I plan to finish it this time so that I can mark it off my list.
Would anyone care to join me? I am going to start reading four pages a day beginning on Nov 16th and then post my thoughts each Monday. Anyone can do four pages a day, right? If you want to join me, or even if you want to join me but read another book that you’ve been wanting to cross off your list, then just let me know in comments. There’s power in numbers.
If you’d like to include your own confession, just share the link to your post below.  Or, if you aren’t quite ready to post your own confession then comments are fine too.
Note: I am skipping Mister Linky since there hasn’t been that much of a response so just post your link below if you do decide to post your own confession.
Book Chatter 
I love your confessions – I look forward to them every week! In the spirit of fellowship I wish I could read this book with you, but can’t bring myself to do it. I have a full plate, and am also intimidated by the book. I laughed at the visual of you throwing it against the wall! Seven times! That book is your nemesis!
I remember in college, I had to read The Odyssey and The Iliad, and it was a horrible experience. If my grade hadn’t depended on their completion, I would have thrown them against the wall too!
My husband keeps insisting it’s wonderful, and we have the unabridged audiotape, and I’m all out of new audiotapes, so what the heck, I’ll join you! But we get to wait until Nov. 16 right?! (we’re going to be so enthusiastic, I can tell!) :–)
Yes!! We’ll start on Nov. 16th. Yay! Feels weird saying “yay” over Moby Dick but you know what I mean.
Visit my book blog: Book Chatter
Moby Dick is lurking on my shelf. I am not ready to read it yet, but I look forward to checking out your weekly updates.
I admire you for sticking with it – I would have given up on that book way before now.
Sorry Ti. I just can’t join you. I am not compelled in any way what-so-ever to cross that book off my list! 🙂 I can’t even think of any others that I feel the need to read along with you. I think if boils down to the fact that I am a selfish reader–selfish with what precious reading time I can carve out of my day and I don’t want to waste it with stuff I am not really enjoying! : I admire your tenacity though-that book would have ended up in the donation pile long ago if that had been me.
Great post
*smiles*
Kim
I read an abridged version of Moby Dick in school, and I’m pretty sure that’s enough for me, but I have always wondered if it was something that I should consider returning to in its entirety. Your post does not inpsire me to do so. LOL!
Well, at least your new copy looks all spiffy and alluring…sometimes that kind of thing really helps me. Maybe you should get some Cliff’s Notes or something like that, not to replace reading the actual book, but to help make it a little more accessible for you when it’s getting frustrating? That sort of thing helps me out when I’m trying to read Shakespeare, which often frustrates me (and yet I’ll be trying again this winter)! Anyhow – good luck with Moby Dick!
I’m not gonna jump in with Moby Dick, though there are others I might. MD just has never made me want to read it.
However, here is my confession:
http://bookslistslife.blogspot.com/2009/10/confessions-of-reader-1-paranormal.html
If I weren’t so behind on my reading, I’d join you. Even at only four pages a day, I think it’s four pages I should probably be devoting to something else. But good for you and good luck to you!
These confessions are great! I have *never* felt compelled to read Moby Dick. In fact, I’ve spent years actively avoiding it, but will follow your progress. Who knows – maybe you’ll convince me to give it a try!
I think I might just join you. I’ll be at the bookstore later today…we’ll see if I remember to pick up a copy.
I had a similar reaction to Pride and Prejudice, but there will be no forcing myself to read that one!
Moby Dick wasn’t the best book I ever read, but when I finished it I was very glad to have read it. One nice thing about it is that the chapters are short, so when you run into a painful one, you know it won’t last too long. 🙂
Good luck on your quest for the white whale!
Lezlie
I read this in high school, but didn’t get a lot out of it. I’m not committing, but I’ll get back to you mid-November if I decide to take the plunge into New Bedford’s icy waters.
Your new copy looks beautiful – nice cover 🙂
You know, now that I think about it I’m not sure I ever read it? Maybe in High School which was a “few” years ago. Hmm, I’ll have to read some passages and see if it rings a bell!
I really enjoy your confessions so I hope you don’t stop doing them! I always mean to do things and then forget about them!! Some day, some day.
And I haven’t read “Moby Dick” but — I have to say — you don’t make it sound like an attractive read-a-long so I’ll respectfully decline. I admire your persistence but YOU DON”T HAVE to read it!!! It is OK to just let it go … “Moby Dick” is becoming your white whale!
Ti, how long do you think until you finish? I plan on reading this book sometime soon, but definitely not before the end of the year. If you’re still reading it next year, I just might join.
Claire, At just four pages a day, I will be reading it into next year for sure. I foeget the exact page count of the copy I have but I estimated 5 months or so.
This is a great goal! I actually listened to Moby Dick this past year and boy, was it tough. Like you I figured it was something that I should get through at least once in my life. Listening was easier for me though, and honestly, I tuned out large portions of it …
I’ll be looking forward to watching you progress through this one!!!
I have the B+N Classics Version on my TBR shelf. It is on my read before I die list. I want to see what the big deal is and say I read it. But I have a lot of books I want to finish before the end of 2009.
I hear ya. Some folks aren’t starting until 2010. Maybe you can join us then!
Love this confessions meme idea. And I’m really curious now about Moby Dick. I’ve read Billy Budd and some short stories and had no problem. I will have to try this book. I hope to catch you on the first Saturday in the new year-perhaps I’ll participate too.