the Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
There is so much I respect about this novel that I don't even know where to begin. 50 years later this novel still remains true, beautiful, heart breaking, and yes, even scandalous. Holden Caulfield is not simply a representation of 'teen angst' (as many younger readers seem to think), but he is a realistic, troubled, and clever character who doesn't just hate the world and society in which he resides, he truly doesn't care about many things. He's brilliant, sarcastic, often times innocent, and other times jaded -- but what he never is is fake. He is articulate and candid, but not precocious or annoying. My favorite parts of the book are his scenes with Phoebe -- the one person in the world (other than his deceased brother) who he truly respects. He absorbs all experiences, good and bad, adding them to his own knowledge base. He is so confused about what he should do, he simply regresses socially, hoping to escape the tough choices of adulthood by keeping others from them. One of my all time favorite novels.


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American Wife

American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This novel is quite a change for Curtis Sittenfeld, and shows not only her growth as a writer but in my opinion establishes her in an entirely new genre. With this mature, thoughtful and solid novel, she has stepped out of any connotations of 'young adult' or even 'chick lit' and proved her writing talent as a truly gifted American author. Her protagonist Alice Blackwell, (based on Laura Bush) is sympathetic and strong. A character I both respect and admire. I loved the structure of the novel -- three distinct addresses and locations -- representing different periods in Alice's life and each part clearly showing Alice's strength and growth as a woman, as a mother and as an American.

"All I did was marry him. You are the ones who gave him power."


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My Horizontal Life : A Collection of One Night Stands

My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I read this book in one sitting which may have tainted my final opinion of it. I think Chelsea Handler is a brilliant, insightful, and hilarious person but these stories of her one night stands made me feel sad for how little self respect she had in her early-mid twenties. I still laughed quite a bit, but overall I just felt really sorry her. I admire that she was able to use these awful experiences in a book and for comedic purposes, but her written voice takes on a neutral tone until the final few stories when she begins to share her feelings about the consequences of her actions. A worthwhile read but not as good as her second book.


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Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea

Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Chelsea Handler is an amazing comedian and writing is just as funny as her spoken word. What makes her writing even better is that without her actually speaking the words out loud, her stories take on a darkly absurd quality -- this book made me laugh out loud several times and it also made me cringe in sympathy. I thought this book was stronger than her first one.


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