Reading With Class is a new meme hosted by yours truly, The Once and Future Librarian. In this meme (which I will try to post weekly), I will discuss what books I am reading for my classes. This is the first semester in which I am taking classes directly related to library science, and I am actually getting to read non textbooks for a grade! Woohooo! Please feel free to take part in this meme...all I ask is that you link it back to me! I do appreciate it!
For my first week of Literature for Young Adults, we had to read The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Now, I was positive that I had read this in 11th grade - I remember buying a copy of it - but, as I read (re-read?) it, I did not remember it at all. So, maybe I never got around to it, I don't know. Anyway, I finished it last night. This is one of those books, that it seems like everyone AND their mother (literally) has read at some point. It's a classic, right? Well, I liked it okay, but I have to say that it's not a favorite. I can see what the appeal is - it was considered a groundbreaker in teen fiction. There's some controversiality involved (just how many times has it been banned? ALOT), lots of swearing, some sexuality, teen drinking and smoking, etc. (I don't think that it should be banned, by the way...just wanted to make that clear...NOT a fan of book bans!)
I am going to admit something that may be considered blasphemous to librarians everywhere...ready? Here goes....I'm not a huge fan of the "classics." Whooo, it feels good to get that off my chest! I have tried classics like Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, etc, and just couldn't get into them. I read books such as The Scarlet Letter and Les Miserables in school and HATED them...so, I've kind of steered clear of all the "classic" titles. I know this book is a relatively "new" classic, but I was still leery...
I was not bored reading this book. I liked it. Holden Caulfield was a likeable character that one can easily relate to. I can't say it's a favorite book, but I did enjoy it. I really didn't care for the swearing - the "GD" word was used in about every other sentence. But, I know this was realistic (honestly, it reminded me of my uncles who live in Massachusetts). Just something worth a warning if you are skittish of this type of language.
So, overall, I do recommend this book. I am glad that I got around to finally reading it! I will be taking a quiz on it in Tuesday's class, and I think I'm ready!
Ok, class dismissed until next week!
Have you read this book, and if so, what did you think of it?
5 comments:
I feel the same as you do about this one - I liked it okay, but I wasn't totally in love. My issue wasn't so much that it was a classic but my mother RAVED AND RAVED about Catcher in the Rye.
She read it in high school and it LITERALLY sat in a box on her shelf. Come to find out, it was the teacher of her English lit class that made it so loveable to her, rather than the book on it's own feet. I didn't have that so it didn't mean much.
Holden was an appealing character and it was somewhat groundbreaking. But not an "OMGYOUHAVETOREADTHISNOWWWW!" sort of awesome. Haha.
I don't believe in book bans either. It's ridiculous.
Jessie - thanks for commenting! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way!
I'm also not sure if I read this or not. I think I did at some point, but I really don't know. If it helps, I'm not a big fan of "classics" either. I've read a couple but they just aren't my thing. Good luck on your quiz!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and following. I followed you back to yours. :) Good luck with your classes!
M
Excellent weblog here! Also your site quite a bit up very fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link for your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Modern Abstract Art Oil Painting STRETCHED READY TO HANG OPA132
Post a Comment