Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Hi folks!

My name is Tim, and I was foolish enough to volunteer to mod the thread for this group read.

I think that everyone who reads has come across this book, if not in school then perhaps in used book store, or yard sale. It's been ubiquitous pretty much since it was published.

Yet somehow or other I have managed to missed reading it. I have no idea how I missed it in school. Here in Canada I think it was part of the grade eight curriculum but I am working from memory.

It will be interesting coming at it from the point of view of a group of readers. I hope to see a fairly varied set of opinions on the subject matter, the author, and his writing.

The plan is to begin on the 7th of May. It's a shorter book so I suggest we split it in four and handle it over four weeks. If this is too short of a time period I am open to a longer read. Let me know!

Let's do a roll call of people in on this read so we have some idea of our group.

Resources:

Wiki for the book
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_catc...

Wiki for the author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Sa...

Reading Plan

May 7th to May 13th Chapters 1 - 7
May 14th to 20th Chapters 8 - 14
May 21st to 27th Chapters 15 - 21
May 28th to June 3rd Chapters 22 - 26

This should be an easy pace for everyone. I plan on posting a question every Saturday for us to discuss. Please feel free to post comments and questions of your own!

Hi Tim I'm Andre in Champaign, IL.

I will read both of the books chosen, but I must say that even as a young man I was not impressed by Catcher in the Rye. I guess by the time I read it I had read a thousand or more "other" and "better" books and so I never quite understood why it was so popular, especially among young people: Perhaps because of the portrayal of Holden Caulfield as the typical rebellious youth. When the book was published in 1951 I was finishing my Sophomore year in high school and was almost the age of the imaginary Holden. His world was nothing like mine. Perhaps that is why I could not relate. I also hated all the swearing.

It is a short book and a quick read.

Tim, I am Susie from the Blue Grass state ..Kentucky.
It haa been many years since I read this book. I had forgotten abt. the swearing. I will read it again.
I can begin May 7th. susie

I've been meaning to re-read Catcher for a couple of years now. Sounds like this is a good incentive.

Hello, people. I'm Nat, from Argentina.
Here is not a school lit-class book, so I missed it, but have been wanting to take a stab at it for years. Thing is, it's border-line impossible to get it. It seems editions in spanish haven't happened in years, and the old ones are well and truly sold out, so I always kicked it back till I could find and purchase a dusty, well loved copy hidden in some flea-shop.
Now, a group reading is incentive to read an english digital, and be done with it. Can always buy later, right? So, I'm in.

I'm in!

Helloo,

I always want to read The Cathcher in the Rye, so it's a good choice.I think I have a copy somewhere in my library.

Greetings to all of you! Looking forward to getting started.

I'm in too! It's been a very long time since I've read this. It was always one of my favorite books. Looking forward to getting to it again.

Our copy is lost at the library, so I need to reorder it. I'm going to start as soon as I get a new copy!

Got my copy today and will start reading in the next day or two!

It looks like so far at least ten of us are in...and four countries! This could be interesting.

Hi, everyone.

I read The Catcher in the Rye in high school, like a whole lot of other U.S. students did. I liked it, felt "touched" by it and like it "spoke to me," so I bought a copy to keep. A few years later, I read it again, and .... Did I miss something? Was it not as good as it was the first time? (I've talked about this a few times in this group.)

I was already planning on reading this this summer, to decide whether or not I wanted to keep the book or give it away, but since it came up as a possible group read (and now a definite group read), I'm bumping it up a few months. I'm curious to see how I (and the rest of you) feel about it this time around.

I like the varied exposure this group has to the work. Welcome to the mix Tiffany.

I think I'm gonna try to do this one as well, we'll just have to see how well I can balance reading 3 books at once

Okay, I'm in. "The Great Gatsby" and "To Kill a Mockingbird", which we did last year, certainly held up to the test of time. It'll be interesting to see if I feel the same about CITR now as I did lo those many years ago in high school.

Unlike most of you, I'm from Canada and it wasn't on the reading curriculum in my school board. As a result, this will be my first time reading it. I'm super excited!

I will be joining you. I have never read it either. My daughter did in high school but I can't find her copy.
She may have it at college with her. I'll pick it up at the library before the 7th.

Welcome all...Nice to see both another Canadian and another person for whom this book is brand new! I love that we have all of these different levels of exposure.

I'm happy to join this group to read this book--although I'm probably crazy to be doing so because, like the rest of you--most likely, I've got way too many other books going on, and in fact, in May, I am leading the book discussion in one of my book groups. But I hate to miss a chance to pass up on Holden Caulfield.

Tim wrote: "Welcome all...Nice to see both another Canadian and another person for whom this book is brand new! I love that we have all of these different levels of exposure."

Here's hoping it'll spark some interesting discussions :D

Hi Tim- I will join in on reading this book with the group....this is my first group read...how does this work?

I'm in!
I also have missed reading this, even through my years in us public school. Been meaning to read it for awhile. Picked it up at Barnes and Nobles today, so I'm ready :)

Okay folks! Tomorrow we begin. This one will be a quick read. I think 7 chapters a week will be easy peasy for everyone regardless of what else you are reading at the moment.

Tim wrote: "Let's do a roll call of people in on this read so we have some idea of our group."

i just re-read Catcher a month or so ago, so i may pop in now and then.

Powered through the first seven chapters last night. It's obviously not going to be a tough read. So far I'm enjoying it.

I'm going to throw 2 of my cents in right now, before we really get the discussion going.

I'm sticking with the reading schedule, rather than reading ahead, so I'm at when Holden decides to leave school (spoiler? If so, sorry!). If I remember correctly, the second time I read the book I started to feel less enchanted by it somewhere around the middle, so for now, I'm still REALLY enjoying it. I like Salinger's writing style of Holden's voice. The characters are believable, and the way Holden talks about them is, too. And funny, too (if not a bit annoying -- I wanted to smack Ackley every time Holden mentioned him).

Finished the first 7 chapters. Not sure how I feel about Holden Caulfield.

Luci wrote: "Finished the first 7 chapters. Not sure how I feel about Holden Caulfield."

Ooh, why not? What's making you like him and what's making you dislike him?

Chrissake! I often find myself giggling at Holden. He always has great intentions to do something, but then he decides not to because he's not in the mood anymore. Why do you have to be in the mood to call someone, for example?

I'm trying to place people I knew growing up in the various roles. Holden is definately the toughest. I find him funny too.

@Tiffany I hear you about Ackley. I can picture him very easily.

Okay, I have to admit that even though I chose the books to include in the group reads polls, I was a little disappointed by the popular vote. I have the other 2 books on my physical shelf, but not the ones that won! I live in a remote community and so I can't always just get whatever book I want.

The Catcher in the Rye has been a permanent resident on my tbr list - it wasn't on my (Canadian) high school curriculum, but it's so often referenced in pop culture that I've always been curious.

Here's what I think I know about this book:

- it's been highly controversial; banned and attached as a bad influence to undesirable characters
- a review I read somewhere said something to the effect that the main character was a self-centred brat

The first point is of course always an incentive. It's banned? It must be good, right? But for some reason the second point was making me think I wouldn't actually like it. So, it was with some uncertainty that I ordered a copy from the library.

Today the book came in and it was sitting on the dining room table after dinner. I picked it up and took a thumb through it to see if I thought I should commit to the group read online. After all, I would like to participate in one at least.

Well, I think I'm in love with the writing. December is colder that a witches teat, especially on top of that stupid hill? Hell, yeah. This guy is a strong character. When you're reading something that you know isn't going to be a classic, there seems to be so much preamble. Not here; we're immersed from the first paragraph. Is this guy a jerk? Maybe, but so far I'm a big fan. Since I've purposely avoided any further research on "what this book's about" or the plot, hopefully I won't eat those words.

This should be an easy read in the timeframe.

So easy I'm actually holding back from reading it right now! It's funny...the sentence about the witches teat caught my attention as well.

Just finished chapter 7. This isn't the kind of book that will be easy to spread over 4 weeks; I want to keep reading, too.

What's up with Holden doing the same things that he complains about Ackley doing - standing in someone else's light, not answering questions very quickly; not doing as asked until asked repeatedly. Is this teenage culture, an indication that as much as we might annoy each other, we have a lot in common or something else? It's too perfectly matched to not be intentional.

I think that Holden's description of Ossenburger's speech (at the beginning of Chapter 3 ) perfectly captures the essence of the contemptuous teen view point "... he made a speech that lasted about ten hours. He started off with about fifty corny jokes, just to show us what a regular guy he was." I think Holden would have been a Nirvana fan if he had been a teen in the early '90's.

Not only is the anger captured, but so is the uselessness, feelings of superiority and the crying. Teen hormones. Wouldn't do that again for anything.

Tiffany wrote: "Luci wrote: "Finished the first 7 chapters. Not sure how I feel about Holden Caulfield."

Ooh, why not? What's making you like him and what's making you dislike him?"

Personally, I'm half in love, half utterly annoyed with this book so far. Salinger got the teenager's voice so well it's... it's... all whiny and bothersome with some moments of fleeting brilliance mired in all the self pity.

Like Faye said: "Not only is the anger captured, but so is the uselessness, feelings of superiority and the crying. Teen hormones. Wouldn't do that again for anything."

Not sure I'm appreciating the remembrance ride. And yet, there is genius in the writing... Up in the air for now.

I'm still trying to decide if I like the juvenile aspect of it. I think it will take more than the first seven chapters. I hope so anyway because otherwise it will seem like a pretty superficial read. People seem to feel about this book how I did about A Separate Peace.

Faye wrote: "Okay, I have to admit that even though I chose the books to include in the group reads polls, I was a little disappointed by the popular vote. I have the other 2 books on my physical shelf, but not..."

That whole post is extremely eloquent and well-put, especially "When you're reading something that you know isn't going to be a classic, there seems to be so much preamble. Not here; we're immersed from the first paragraph. Is this guy a jerk? Maybe, but so far I'm a big fan."

So considering this post and your next one, does that mean you've decided to join our group read?

Yes, Tiffany, please consider me joined up - as long as I can refrain from plowing too far ahead in reading :)

Tim, this is susie from the blue grass st. I have had a sm. prob. w/an on going health prob. I haven,t been home for awhile so i haven't started our book. I will start asap & try to cathch up w/ everyone. just so you would know i hadn't dis group.

I enjoy the writing style but, as far as Holden is concerned, the reason I am not sure if I like him yet is because of his attitude towards oppurtunities given to him. I agree with the coment that said it is hard to stop at 7 chapters. I want to keep reading to see what happens to Holden.

Seven chapters in, and yes, the well remembered ambivalence from H.S. is back. Salinger voices the self-involved, insecure, angsty teenage boy so well you can't help but gobble the writing, but jeez, I still want to smack Holden. One social work degree, several decades and a couple of teenagers later I can certainly understand all the little quirks of his psyche that were probably lost on me in high school.
The passage about breaking all the windows in the garage still chokes me up. The passage where Holden speaks to his love of good writers and wishing they lived next door is exactly how I felt then and now.
And for the record, and based on the many times I heard it growing up, it's "colder than a witch's teat in a brass bra". Thanks dad.

Good morning and happy Saturday all!

Well I'm sure we've all struggled through the lightning pace needed to get through the first seven chapters ;).

The question I wanted to ask and discuss for the first week is:

How relevant do you guys feel this work is after 60 plus years? Is this still a "great book" or has it been relegated to being a period piece?

Discuss!

I might be a little biased in this read. I've never had the a college experience, or a private school experience where I was away from home and family like this. That aspect doesn't speak to me at all. We'll see what happens now that the story seems to be taking us away from the school.

The whole angsty teen thing...meh.

What I'm really hoping for is a change in outlook and experience for Holden. That would make the story work for me. There must be something here...it's consistantly listed in the "GREATEST books of all time anywhere!!1".

I think that if you just changed a few details (i.e. phone booths to cellphones, adjusted prices for inflation, hotel bars to night clubs, etc.) that it would be just as relevant in today's terms.

Confused, emotional, uncertain teenagers and their bizarre attitudes will always be relevant.

There were even certain times that I forgot that the book took place in the late 40s/early 50s.

(As a note: I couldn't stop reading and had to finish the book. Bad, Alex!!)

Haha...our first miscreant! I'll try and think about that and see if it makes a difference for me in the second section.

Yes, I think it's relevant because the teen angst rings true; however, it's been a little while since I was a teen, so it would be better to know what a young(er) person thinks. That being said, I wish I had read this as a teen so I could read it again as an adult and compare my perspective.

I don't think this is a period piece, at this point at least, because without the copyright info it would be tough to say when it was taking place. Give Holden modern personal technology and I believe it current.

Could Holden be a teenager today? Sure. Put him in a pair of saggy jeans down past his hips and a t-shirt with a rude saying and you have today's teenager. I know - I have one living in my house. I also see a teen who avoids confrontation - I've got one of those, too. He's full of insecurities which he covers up with a lot of bluster. He's not quite as self-assured as he pretends to be.

I believe his brother's death ruptured the family. He seems to have no relationship with either parent. His sister, however, is a different story. He wants to connect with her at the oddest times. Or maybe it's when he's most insecure.

Do I like this book? I don't think so from reading the first half. Sometimes the writing seems a little choppy, and I'm not sure what the point of the book is. Here's this kid with enough cash to get him from school to New York City with no plan except to stay off his parents' radar until they find out he's been expelled. Oh my, change the location and what the parents will find out and I've just described 99 percent of today's young people. LOL

If I recall correctly - it's been a few decades - one of the reasons this is considered ground breaking is the way Holden and his contemporaries were portrayed. In the days of "Ozzie and Harriet" and "Father Knows Best" Salinger showed teens smoking, drinking, and engaging in sex. Not what the American public was used to. Nowadays the angsty angry teenager with too much money and inattentive parents is a cliche. We've seen him played ad nauseum (usually by James Spader)in movies and TV programs for decades. In that I suppose it's nothing new to the uninitiated.

The other aspect that made it "groundbreaking" was the way Holden's psychological deterioration is depicted. Teens were considered maliable and self-correcting as they aged. Holden mentions in passing that his parents had considered sending him for counselling after Allie's death, but it didn't happen. From our enlightened 21st century perspective it's clear he needs it, but sending your kid to a psychiatrist 50 years ago would have been hugely stigmatizing. Better to send him off to private school believing he's going through a phase that he'll figure out on his own.