I finished The Catcher in the Rye last week and have already taken up with the next book on my list, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce. When I took it up to the counter at Borders, the college dude who rang me up told me he read it in high school. I told him that I probably should have but didn't, thankyouverymuch, but at least I was reading it now.
This reminded me of a time while I was dining with my wonderful husband and had my pager sitting on the table. (For those of you that don't know, I am often on call for work.) The kid also known as our waiter laughed at me and told me that the 80s called and wanted their pager back. And then I laughed and cut his tip in half. Moral of that story: don't make fun of paying Customers, especially those who might be sensitive about the 80s or their giant pagers..
Anyway, back to the book. I knew there was some controversy regarding The Catcher in the Rye so that's one reason I decided to read it this year. I can definitely say that while I am not a proponent of censorship, I am definitely a fan of good judgment, and not every book is suitable for its intended audience. I think this one would be most appropriately read on a college level for content, not difficulty, so that is my thought on that front. It's about a young man who keeps flunking out of different boarding schools. I could talk about the realities of coming of age, loneliness, etc. but that's not why anyone reads this blog, so we'll keep it simple and say I thought it was a sad story.
So far A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man hasn't captured my attention, but I have high hopes that it will get better.
Almost everyone I know has a book going at all times. What are you reading right now?
This reminded me of a time while I was dining with my wonderful husband and had my pager sitting on the table. (For those of you that don't know, I am often on call for work.) The kid also known as our waiter laughed at me and told me that the 80s called and wanted their pager back. And then I laughed and cut his tip in half. Moral of that story: don't make fun of paying Customers, especially those who might be sensitive about the 80s or their giant pagers..
Anyway, back to the book. I knew there was some controversy regarding The Catcher in the Rye so that's one reason I decided to read it this year. I can definitely say that while I am not a proponent of censorship, I am definitely a fan of good judgment, and not every book is suitable for its intended audience. I think this one would be most appropriately read on a college level for content, not difficulty, so that is my thought on that front. It's about a young man who keeps flunking out of different boarding schools. I could talk about the realities of coming of age, loneliness, etc. but that's not why anyone reads this blog, so we'll keep it simple and say I thought it was a sad story.
So far A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man hasn't captured my attention, but I have high hopes that it will get better.
Almost everyone I know has a book going at all times. What are you reading right now?
i'm trudging through the lord of the rings. it might kill me.
ReplyDeletei mean, it's a great story but it is SO LONG.
=)
Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorites. I never thought about the content being inappropriate compared to other books I had to read. Maybe I should go back and reread it now that I'm not 17.
ReplyDeleteI started Atlas Shrugged, but spend most of my time on textbooks instead. Lame, I know.
my APA manual
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading "Lone Star Rising" by William C. Davis. It's a non-fiction account of the circumstances that led up to the Texas Revolution. Even though I enjoy the stories of Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, James Bowie, etc., I am having a little trouble getting through this book.
ReplyDeleteI just joined a Book Club (nerd, I know) and we're reading The Emporer's Children. Just started it...so no opinion yet.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Your Pregnancy Week by Week and sometimes I pick up the ever famous What to Expect When You're Expecting. I do need a book to read just for fun. I need to raid your bookshelf Emily! :)
ReplyDeleteAll of these sound good!
ReplyDeleteLiz, LOTR is on the 1,001 books to read before you die list, and I have NO IDEA how I'm going to get through it. I'm saving that one for another year. :)
I thought Atlas Shrugged was an interesting read, and I will be interested to know how The Emperor's Children turns out!