The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, a 16 year old junior, recounts the events following his expulsion from his school, Pencey, and his adventures in New York City as he avoids going home to face his parents' reaction to the news. Holden is the quintessential misunderstood teenager who wants desperately to fit in, but can't seem to connect with anyone.

I somehow escaped reading The Catcher in the Rye in high school, the age when most people read this novel for the first time. Over the years, I have had many people, males especially, tell me how they loved this book and connected to the main character, Holden Caulfield. I read it for the first time last summer and to be honest, I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. Nothing significant really happens in the story and Holden spends the majority of the novel complaining about everyone and everything. Not exactly my cup of tea. I wouldn’t say I hated it, but I certainly did not experience the connection with Holden so many others did. I’m not sure if that had more to do with my age, or my personality. I have always had very little patience for people who refuse to help themselves, and Holden seemed to fall into that category, which left me little sympathy for him.

I decided to give the book another chance and reread it, as my 10th grade students prepared to study it for the first time. While it still is not a favorite of mine, I do have to say that I find myself having a lot more compassion for Holden after my subsequent reading. I think Holden is a lonely boy. A boy who suffered greatly after the death of his brother and feels abandoned by his parents after they send him away to boarding school after boarding school. I think that he desperately wants to connect with someone, but doesn’t know how and fears being judged. He looks for connection in anyone who will give him the time of day, while at the same time keeping people at a distance. Holden hides behind the pretense that he can’t stand “phonies” when he himself is one of the phoniest people in the novel. He looks for faults in others, but refuses to truly recognize them in himself.

The only real connection he has is with his sister, Phoebe, who is a child. Holden is still a child in many ways and talks about how he desperately wants to protect innocence of the children he sees, but I think it is his innocence that he wants to protect. He is on the cusp of adulthood, but instead of looking forward to the future, Holden wants to freeze time. He was clearly deeply affected by the death of his brother and his failure to protect his innocence.

So in the end, I have a new appreciation for The Catcher in the Rye, but you still won’t find it at the top of my favorite books list. Perhaps this might have been different had I read it as an adolescent, but I still think I would have been impatient with Holden. Maybe future re-readings of the novel will continue to change my perspective.

Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman

Death and the Maiden is the three act play written by Ariel Dorfman in response to the social, economic, and political events surrounding the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile and its eventual overthrow and governmental shift to democracy. 

Set in a country (presumably Chile, but never specified) that has recently returned to a democracy. Paulina Salas waits at home for her husband, Gerardo Escobar, a lawyer recently named to the Commission in charge of investigating the crimes of the old regime, to return home. When Gerardo returns accompanied by Roberto Miranda, a doctor who has stopped to give Gerardo a ride after his car gets a flat tire, Paulina believes she is again hearing the voice of the man who raped and tortured her years before. Taking matters into her own hands, Paulina detains Roberto, seeking the justice that has been denied to her.

I must confess that I do not know much about Chilean history or the dictatorship of Pinochet, except what little I have picked up in my effort to provide my students with some historical context for this play. I think the background of the author and the historical context of the play are important element to understanding this play, but it can also be read and understood without them. What I most appreciated about this play is not the historical connections, but rather the more universal themes it addresses, which were wonderfully summed up by the author in the Afterword:

Death and the Maiden is “not only about a country that is afraid and simultaneously needful of understanding its fear and its scars, not only about the long-term effects of torture and violence on human beings and the beautiful body of their land, but about other themes that have always obsessed me: what happens when women take power. How can you tell the truth if the mask you have adopted ends up being identical to your face? How does memory beguile and save and guide us? How can we keep our innocence once we have tasted evil? How to forgive those who have hurt us irreparably? How do we find a language that is political but not pamphletary? How to tell stories that are both popular and ambiguous, stories that can be understood by large audiences and yet contain stylistic experimentation, that are mythical and also about immediate human beings?”

Dorfman style is simplistic, but deliberate. Each word, each action, every nuance has a purpose. He does some pretty amazing things with symbolism, particularly with the use of silence and sound, and light and darkness. It is through these things that Dorfman artfully explores the issues of power, forgiveness, and justice. What I appreciated most about the play is that Dorfman does not thrust his bias down your throat, but leaves it up to you to make your own decisions. I found myself sympathizing with different characters at different points in the play, sometimes shocked at myself for sympathizing with characters that I previously scorned. The end is ambiguous, leaving the audience to decide what is justified in the end.

Be warned that this play does include sensitive topics, such as rape and torture, and does contain language that may be considered inappropriate. Nevertheless, I do think it is a worthwhile read and I would love to see it performed one day. There is a movie adaptation, but I have been told that it deviates from the play.

Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Resisting Atlantis (Atlantis #1) by Jamie Canosa

I am super excited to be hosting one of my favorite YA authors, Jamie Canosa, and celebrating the release of her new book Resisting Atlantis. Check out the post below for my review, an author spotlight, and giveaway.

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What if everything you think you know . . . is wrong?

Cora is your average college freshman. Battling the evils of boring classes and noisy dorms, her greatest concern is how to attract the attention of the drool-worthy, party-god next door.

That is, until Kaden comes barging into her life, insisting everything she knows is false. The family and friends she grew up with don’t exist. Her entire past a carefully-crafted fabrication, created to replace the truth.

Her name isn’t Cora, it’s Cameron. And she isn’t from New York. She hails from Atlantis. Yeah, that Atlantis. Oh yeah, and she’s psychic. 

Crazy, right?

Except, tall, dark, and out-of-his-ever-loving-mind doesn’t come alone. Trouble follows, thrusting Cameron back into a world she can’t remember and a life she must reclaim if they’re going to make it out alive.

But there’s someone out there who doesn’t want her to remember.

Links:
Amazon
GoodReads

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When Jamie approached me about being part of the blog tour for her new book, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on an ARC, even before I had read the blurb for Resisting Atlantis. Jamie became one of my favorite YA writers after I read her Fight or Flight series (which I highly recommend if you haven't read it). The thing that I love most about her writing is her characters. Jamie has an amazing talent for creating characters that you instantly care about and want to root for. You become so invested in her characters that their journey becomes your own. Every step of the way you are with the characters. You feel every emotion, every injury, every moment of triumph, and Jamie doesn't disappoint with her new series.

Once again, it was the characters that made this book for me. Cam is a strong female lead and her vulnerability makes her a relatable and believable character. Kaden is everything a male lead should be and has joined the ranks of my book boyfriends. The connection between the two was real and swoon worthy, adding the perfect dash of romance to this adventure story. I was invested in their story from page one and couldn't put it down. There is plenty of action and even a few twists that keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

My only criticism is that I wish the story contained a little bit more history or back story on Atlantis. As a history and Greek mythology nerd, I loved the idea of the story taking place there. The history/back story is essential to understanding the premise behind Resisting Atlantis, as the central conflict is a rebellion against the Palace. Most of what we learn about Atlantis and the rebellion is through what is explained to Cam as she tries to regain her memories, and I often found myself feeling exactly what she felt, that everyone around me knew something that I didn't and no one was sharing. Having more of a back story would have fleshed out the narrative a bit more and made it easier to connect to the reasons behind the rebellion. However, this "criticism" is probably more of a personal preference than anything. Jamie provides enough in the story to make it flow and make sense; I just wanted more.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This story has everything - adventure, humor, tragedy, romance - that makes for a good read. The characters are well developed and easy to connect to, and fellow nerds like myself will geek-out over the infusion of Greek mythology into the story line. There is a sequel, so be prepared for a cliffhanger. The next book in the series is called Restoring Atlantis, and I am excited to find out what is in store for Cam and Kaden.

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Meet the Author

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA/NA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Upstate NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the cat, the bird, and the rabbit.

Author Links:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieCanosa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JL_Canosa

Blog: http://jamiecanosa.blogspot.com

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Giveaway Time!

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Seeing Stars (Celebrity #1) by J. Sterling

Walker Rhodes is the type of guy that is at the top of Madison Myers' Do Not Date List. He is a sexy singing sensation with a bad boy reputation to match. As an aspiring talent agent, Madison knows Walker is the type of guy she needs to avoid dating if she is going to make it in this business.

But when Walker pulls her up on stage during one of his concerts, even Madison can't deny the sparks that literally fly between them. As much as she wants to deny it, there is something about Walker Rhodes that draws her in. Even though she tries to stay away, Walker is determined to make her his, and Madison will soon discover that fate has a bigger hand in their story than she ever could have imagined.

You won't find this book at the top of my all-time favorite reads, but it was still an enjoyable read for me. I liked the characters and the story definitely had that element of romantic fatalism that make romance movies such a huge success (especially with the female demographic). It was lacking in the angst department and did not contain the emotional turmoil that I look for in a 5 star read. Having said that, the story was well written and a quick read. Definitely a good read for a lazy afternoon. It is a stand alone novel, so no worries about a cliffhanger. It is part of a new series, and it appears that each book will focus on a new celebrity. I liked this book enough to want to read the next one - Catching Stars, Paige Lockwood's story - when it comes out (no release info at this time).

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Sydney's twenty-second birthday is not going how she envisioned. Finding herself homeless after discovering her boyfriend of two years and her best friend/roommate have been cheating behind her back, and unemployed, Sydney now faces a decision: turn to her less than supportive parents for help, or accept the offer of help from her extremely attractive neighbor, Ridge.

Ridge is facing a dilemma of his own...writer's block. For months he has been unable to pen any song lyrics. When he sees Sydney, from his balcony, singing along to the melodies from his guitar, he can't help but be intrigued. When Ridge discovers Sydney's boyfriend's infidelity, he finds himself compelled to tell her, even if he doesn't want to be the one who has to do so. Determined to keep his new found muse, Ridge offers Sydney the spare bedroom in his apartment.

As time passes, Ridge and Sydney's musical collaboration brings them closer and closer. They find themselves communicating their feelings through the lyrics they write together. But Ridge is not free, and he finds himself torn between the girlfriend he can never leave and the feelings he has developed for Sydney. Their situation leaves them with nothing but heartbreak and the dream of maybe someday.

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Colleen Hoover is a literary genius. I swear she could write a phone book, and I would buy it and love every page of it. I have loved every book of hers that I have read, from the Slammed series to the Hopeless series. However, her books should come with a warning label stamped on the front - Warning: You will be emotionally wrecked by the end of this novel. Maybe Someday was no exception.

She had me hook, line, and sinker from the very first page. Colleen has the amazing ability to create these characters and relationships that you instantly want to root for. I felt every moment of joy, pain, and heartbreak right along with Ridge and Sydney. I found myself reduced to a crying mess as the hopelessness of their love story washed over me again and again, and I found myself profoundly grateful that I was reading this book in the privacy of my own home. Had I been in public, people would have probably wondered about my mental stability. And the ending? I won't talk about it because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it brought on a whole new wave of tears.

Maybe Someday offers readers a truly unique reading experience with the addition of a soundtrack. Because music was such an important element to this story, I was intrigued when I heard that Colleen was collaborating with Griffen Peterson to record the songs featured in the novel. I had heard a few of the songs prior to reading the book, and while I liked them, it wasn't until I heard them in conjunction with the story that I fell in love with them. The songs added so much to my reading experience because I didn't have to imagine what the songs would have sounded like. While I have always had a vivid imagination and consider myself somewhat musical, I am by no means a song writer or a musician. Having the songs took the pressure off me to create them in my mind and allowed me to simply enjoy them for what they were - an honest form of communication between Sydney and Ridge.

I always know when I find a book deserving of 5 stars when two things happen: First, I feel compelled to hug the book to my chest after reading the last page, and second, I instantly want to turn back to page one and start reading it again. Both of these occurred after I finished Maybe Someday. Ridge has joined the ranks of my favorite book boyfriends, right along with Will, Holder, and Daniel. In the few days since I have finished the novel, I still find myself humming the songs and pulling it back off my self to reread some of my favorite parts. I'm sure my future holds many rereads of this book. Colleen Hoover delivers another unforgettable read.

Delilah: The Making of Red (Nova #2.5) by Jessica Sorensen

Delilah Peirce is used to being invisible, to living in the shadow of her mother's magnetism. She wants nothing more than to be seen, to be desired, the way men desire her mother. When she meets Dylan Sanderson, for once in her life she feels seen and beautiful. But the path Dylan leads her down is not exactly what she thought it would be, and she finds herself losing pieces of herself, transforming into something different, along the way.

We first meet Delilah, a.k.a. Red, in Breaking Nova, and now we get a small glimpse into the events that led her down her current path of destruction. I really enjoyed this short story and feel like it went a long way in fleshing out Delilah's character.

I love the Nova series. It is painfully raw and dark, and the characters' stories stay with you even after you read the last page. Jessica Sorensen has an amazing talent for creating these beautifully broken characters that your heart bleeds for. I can only hope that this short story means that Delilah will get her own book in the future. I am dying to know what happens next and if she ever finds her happy ending.

The Voluntourist by Ken Budd

"Sometimes, in life, you can drive a familiar road and not know where you are going."

After the unexpected death of his father, Ken Budd finds himself questioning his own life and what he wants out of it. His father's death leads Ken to examine his life and face some hard truths - namely his grief over the fact that he and his wife would never have children. His grief leads him to undertake six voluntourism trips around the world. With each trip, Ken seeks to find purpose, to lead a "life that matters." In his memoir, Ken recounts these trips, remembering the people he met and the lessons he learned along the way. 

I read a quote once (I don't remember exactly what it said or who said it, so I'm totally paraphrasing here) that said something like: "Nothing messes with our happiness like the vision in our head of what our lives are supposed to look like." I remember being struck by the absolute truth behind the statement (I know you're thinking, "How can that be if you don't remember the exact quote?" It was more of the message than the words that struck me). When I think back on the times in my life where I felt lost or uncertain, they are, more often than not, the moments where the reality of my life did not match up with the picture in my head of what my life should look like. In hindsight, I can now recognize those moments as blessings, as they often led me to something far superior to my original vision. But that is a realization that only comes after time has pasted, tears have fallen, and many prayers have been said. When you are in those moments, it's hard to let go.

I think this is what I connected to most in Ken's story. The reality of his life did not match up to the vision he had in his head, and because of that, he was forced to reexamine his life and redefine that vision. I think that this is a pretty universal struggle that all of us find ourselves facing at least once (probably more) in life. We are all searching for meaning in this life, for some way to spend our "650,000 hours" that will leave a mark in this world, so that we are not forgotten. Sometimes leaving home, the familiar, is the only way that we can put enough distance between ourselves and the vision and gain the clarity that we need. I think this is why many of us, including Ken, turn to travel. I love to travel. I love visiting new place and experiencing new cultures, and there are few things in life that will teach you about yourself quite like traveling, especially on your own. 

As I read about Ken's travels, I could not help drawing parallels between the lessons he learned while traveling and many of the things I have learned from my own travels. His stories are full of humor, honesty, and the truth that we are not as different from each other as we would like to believe. I appreciated his candor and honesty. This wasn't a quick read for me. I found lines that caused me to stop and ponder. I definitely felt inspired to undertake my own voluntourism trip, as I think many who read his book will be. A solid 4-star read for me.