Anime

      I have come to realize that I like Anime or japanese animation shows better than I like regular American shows.  I think this has something to do with my step-father never watching regular tv and instead choosing to watch Anime.  This went on from about age 5 till age 15 with his untimely death.  After that it became normal for me to watch these shows instead of normal ones.  My main shows that I like are Bleach, Naruto, and Fairy Tail.  All of these are excellent shows anime or not, lots of action drama and all of them are made by Shonen Jump.  Shonen Jump anime consistently has shows that have the two core values of Friendship and Victory.  Its one of the most valued industries in Japan and its influence in America is increasingly growing.

French Literature

     Alexandre Dumas, probably not the most common name known to people.  However,  to me he is a man that has composed remarkable works of literature.  I first started reading one on his books while I was awaiting a doctors appointment and The Three Musketeers was one of three free book choices on an app that came on my phone.  I started reading this and was immediately drawn in by the tone, word choice, and the mood the book set.  This novel was exceptionally long....nearly 500 pages.  Close to the length of modern Harry Potter books.  Whenever I finished this novel I did extra research on it to find hidden facts I may have missed.
     A not-so-hidden fact I found out was that The Three Musketeers was part of a trio of novels entitled the D'artagnan Romances.  This trio of novels was composed of The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne.  After I became so engrossed with the first novel I started to read these as well.  I just recently finished the final of the trio The Vicomte de Bragelonne, the last volume being The Man in the Iron Mask.  These three books took you through the entire adult life of D'artagnan from his 17th year until his final.  Also, it took you through his rise as a common Gascon to being a Marshal of France, the highest military honor that can be bestowed by the king of France.
     I would recommend this author and any of the books I have read to anyone that is looking for a good read, and has some time to spend.  Fully immersing yourself in these three books will undoubtedly take some time to complete but offers a completely rewarding experience.  Upon reading the final pages of the book I came away feeling like I was included in the journey and felt genuine sadness on its ending.  You really feel like you know the characters as if you were there through all parts of the journey with them.
    Click the link entitled "The Life of Dumas" to find out more about the author of these amazing books.

The Life of Dumas