Reading List as of August 2010

It’s quite confusing right now, and with work and everything in between, it’s quite difficult to chance a satisfying lengthy reading. I’m lucky to get an hour to read, honestly. But I do read, I guess everyone should find time to do so. Though most would consider movies and TV as an effective alternative, nothing can replace reading. There’s this one guy at Starbucks, he had this novel propped open in one hand, don’t know what he was reading though, a cigarette on the other, and was having a conversation with a friend. It’s either he’s a really good multitasker or a ‘phony’, as what Holden would say. Maybe they were talking about the book, I have no way of knowing (unless I eavesdrop). Anyway, I still wish I could multitask without reducing my full appreciation of a storyline. But I do ‘multi-read’, try it! It’s like watching TV without the remote, the monthly cable bill and the scheduled programming.

I’m currently reading Book Four of the Percy Jackson and The Olympians Series by Rick Riordan, titled The Battle of The Labyrinth. So far, it began in the same fashion with its preceding instalments. 

I mostly read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. If you’re interested, you can find it in the children’s section because it has its little drawings and sketches by the author. My friends chuckled when they saw its illustrations. I can’t blame them. Because in contrast with The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, the two are very different, but only in terms of packaging. They partially have a similar concept about being an adult, and I am taking my time with The Little Prince. Its metaphors are overwhelming and very relative. So even if it’s quite a short read, I savor each and every page. I sound famished (haha).

At intervals, I’m also reading Sherlock Holmes, The Complete Novels and Stories Volume 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I’m a huge fan of Doyle’s work since high school. So you can imagine how enthused I was with the Sherlock Holmes movie. It wasn’t a letdown, yet it did disappoint at certain details, I guess that is to be expected, though Irene Adler was a perfect fit. Reading the compendium works best when you don’t have much time to spare but you don’t want to get cut-off with your reading.

After I have read and written reviews, for at least The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Little Prince, I’ll be finishing The Little Friend by Donna Tartt (Note: this is not a sequel of The Little Prince, haha!).  

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The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

There’s a rebel in all of us. Whether we loosen the chains that bind our inner rebel to bars of conformity, or add more locks to secure and obscure its existence from prying judgmental eyes is completely up to us. Yet its lingering, internal gnawing is real, and indubitably present. And that rebel is perfectly compacted in Holden Caulfield, the wannabe catcher in the rye.

Author: J. D. Salinger (Jerome David Salinger)

Released: 1951

One of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923, a 2005 Time Magazine list

Synopsis

Trust me when I say that the storyline of this book is not the main course, but a medium, a sterling plate where the meat is served. 

Holden Caulfield is a problematic middle child who doesn’t like anything much, conceited but perceptive, at least for his own good. Kicked out from Pencey school, Holden, out of whim, which pretty much sums up his decision-making, packs his bag and sets off for the streets of New York. 


With an erratic come what may to-do-list, Holden goes from dancing with a good dancer, drinking with a smarty, listening to phonies, talking with a prostitute to arguing with his date. Holden shares his take on every person, situation, or place he goes to, even with the ducks in Central Park. He practically hates everything, except for his brothers Allie and D.B., his sister Phoebe, one of the very few whose words get through to him, and English, his best subject.

Reading Experience

Catcher in the Rye is one of the most criticized classic novels. Those who have lived during its original release would have full appreciation of the controversy it caused. Any reader planning to read this book should know how it was during the 1950’s in America. It was the height of conservatism, of conforming to societal norms, of being like everyone else.

Salinger’s presentation is through the opinionated mind of teenager Holden Caulfield, who speaks in teenage slang. Reviews say that Holden represents the American teenager in the 1950’s, who are sick of all the phonies of their time. But like every good novel and personified character, Holden’s thoughts transgress race, era and age as I found myself nodding, agreeing to his notions despite disagreeing with some. It has reflected most issues which threatens pillars of tradition and conventional thinking, most of which are very much alive up to this day.

Once Holden is introduced, you’ll learn his attitude. You might even defend it from the other characters who disapprove of his behavior, which is probably a common trait for those acquainted with liberty and individuality. But eventually, ‘it’ll grow on you and old Holden’ will seem ridiculous. He is not a round character like what most novels are populated with. He may not change, but the reader’s opinion of him will. For me, it changed from enjoying his company and his relative derision, to a point of concern but not towards distaste.

As for other characters, their purpose is to be critiqued by the protagonist. Most of them are insignificant, except for a very select few. There are characters you won’t meet during the course of the story but Holden speaks about them liberally.

Also, expect an open ending. You are free to think what happens to Holden and Phoebe, not to mention Mr. Antolini. You can end it any way you want to, a ‘whatever-makes-you-sleep-better-at-night’ thing.

The Catcher in the Rye’s title originated from a misheard version of the poem through the Rye by Robert Burns. Holden dreams of catching falling children coming through the rye. What he doesn’t realize is, he is falling too, and it was his sister, Phoebe, who effectively caught him at midfall. It captured the challenging coming-of-age process of reconciling the innocence of childhood with the demands of adulthood—all children must go through the ‘rye’.

In Conclusion

Like every review I chuck out, I always say that it’s not for everyone, no one novel is. But Catcher in the Rye is really not for everyone, ‘and I mean it, I really do’. It is told in an unorthodox manner, and ended uniquely. Its unorthodox quality is the definite reason for its significance.

And though it isn’t for everyone, especially those who enjoy the safety in numbers and loves conservatism, I still recommend picking it up, to at least realize where the contempt is coming from, a good reminder of how troublesome it was as a teenager, for those who have forgotten.

Today’s reader may find it droning at times, I know I did. So just put it down, do something else, then pick it up again. It is necessarily repetitive, enough to emphasize and highlight Holden’s attitude in familiar or unfamiliar situations. You may reach the point where you can predict how he would perceive something, but you won’t be able to predict how the plot goes, which threw me off-guard, ‘to be honest with you’.

I guess I’ll leave it there. And yes, you should read it, ‘it’ll kill you, I swear it will’.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Three: The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

You don’t need a black Pegasus to fly through the pages of The Titan’s Curse. It will still have its “new book smell” when you’re done with it.

Author: Rick Riordan

Released: May 1, 2007

#1 New York Times children’s best seller series

Book Sense Top Ten Summer Pick for 2007

Synopsis

It has been prophesied that a child of the ‘Big Three’; Zeus, Poseidon or Hades, will either make or break Mount Olympus. Bringing the mythological world asking who the prophecy is about, Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, or Thalia, daughter of Zeus?

Grover, a satyr (demigoat?), has found two sibling demigods and has asked assistance from his demigod friends: Thalia, a temperamental high school student, punk demigod and a former tree, brandishes her Medusa-engraved shield in battle, Aegis, alongside Percy and Annabeth, daughter of Athena.

Rescuing two new demigods brought them across Artemis’ path, which Thalia is not so happy about, and also ended with the loss of Annabeth, which Percy, in turn, is not so happy about. But Artemis isn’t the only well-known mythological character they encountered. Aside from the scheming Titan, Kronos, another ominous unnamed Titan seem to be orchestrating the string of events from behind the scene, ending in an unprecedented battle.

Reading Experience

My copy of The Titan’s Curse still has its new book smell after dashing across its pages with Percy Jackson and the rest of the demigods. Riordan started the book with Percy in search for newfound demigods whose lineage remains indefinite. More familiar Greek mythology characters are introduced, this time, having more bearing with the main plot rather than delaying the heroes from their goals. Perhaps the most popular would be Artemis, the maiden Olympian goddess who has evaded all love pursuits and leads an unending hunt. And I’d rather keep you guessing on who the others are or I might give away the whole plot.

As expected with a children’s book, the writing is fast-paced and every word easily gets through. But what is more noticeable is the flawless balance between the good and necessarily bad turns. Perhaps every children writers’ challenge is to achieve a sense of gloom but not despair for these needed pivotal twists, concepts of death and bereavement are downplayed but not to the point of forfeiting their significance. More importantly, humor and maintaining a child-friendly read further proves Riordan’s writing skill.

In Conclusion

This third instalment in the Percy Jackson series is by far the most engaging and thrilling read. The Titan’s Curse is definitely enjoyable for ages 7 and up. 

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