The Catcher in the Rye

Finished 21 February 2020

I recently re-read this novel for a podcast that I am following.  I vaguely remember reading this book when I was in high school or college.  It wasn't a class assignment.  I read it because I was trying to read the "great books".  I was not impressed with the novel the first time.  But reading it again 25 or more years later, I was able to discern much more of the issues going on under the surface.  The contrast between a young person's perspective and that of an adult makes a significant difference in what TCITR is really about.  Rather than just the selfish, petty rantings of an adolescent, we are given insight into the wounded psyche of a lost, lonely young man.  Holden's struggles to reach out to those around him, to overcome the loss he feels from the death of his younger brother, these struggles are heart-breaking to witness, and to not be able to reach out and help him. 

Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad

I read this book because I saw the movie Apocalypse Now back in high school.  It is based on the book, or so I thought.  It was an interesting story, but I think I missed a lot of context so I didn't see the connection to the movie.

Completed July 2, 2015

Rating 2.5/5

Farenheit 451

I finished this book for thr first time this week.  It is a short read, but a very interesting one. I wonderif this book was really the first dystopian story. The plot is well conceived, and the questions it raises are timely. My oldest DD read it first and suggested I read it too.

Farenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

Rating : 4.5 out of 5

Twilight

I finished reading Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer, recently.  Not a difficult read, but it was rather tedious.  I was not impressed by this book, the characters were shallow.  I wonder if the movie was better....

Bleak House, by Charles Dickens

I have sadly neglected this blog and my own reading.  I have been focused on homeschooling,  and we have moved twice since the last time I posted.  Four years in DC with traffic and crowds made for short time to do anything else!

I have finally finished this book.  It seemed to take forever, even though I enjoyed it.  This is the first Dickens I have ever read.  I heard a rumor that Dickens got paid by the word and that is why he was so verbose,  but I don't  know. It was a good story.

Completed: Day of Infamy

On April 13, I finished reading Day of Infamy, by Walter Lord.

I enjoyed this book very much.  It is a real version of what happened and how individuals responded to exceptional circumstances.  Here is my review post with some pictures of the USS Arizona Memorial.

(c) 2010 Bookish Banter

Continuing Pride and Prejudice

Rating: 7.5 out of 10


I have finished the second novel in a series by Sharon Lathan, written as a continuation of the story of Pride and Prejudice.  The first, Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, starts from the beginning of their marriage through the early spring of their first year together.  I wrote a brief review here.  The second, Loving Mr. Darcy, continues that story. 

It is interesting to see the development of their relationship, and the continued deepening of their love.  However, I have to say that I am glad I didn't spend money to buy these books.  The description of their intimacy, I feel, is a little much.  Once per chapter, if not more, there is a description of their interludes.  Maybe I am prudish, but I feel this much detail is a little excessive.  There are some aspects of a marriage relationship that belong solely between a husband and wife, and even literary characters such as Darcy and Lizzy are entitled to some privacy.