Book Review: The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

Title: The Catcher in the Rye

Author: J.D. Salinger

Release Date: The edition I have was published in May 1991

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Pages: 214 (mass market paperback)

Goodreads

Since his debut in 1951 as The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has been synonymous with "cynical adolescent." Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his sixteen-year-old life, just after he's been expelled from prep school, in a slang that sounds edgy even today and keeps this novel on banned book lists.

It begins, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them."

His constant wry observations about what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive) capture the essence of the eternal teenage experience of alienation.

I didn't buy this book during the recent Manila International Book Fair for the same reason, but I ended up reading it for Banned Books Week! And it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made, because The Catcher in the Rye is a classic without needing a complicated language or a complex plot.

The story was quite simple, really. It started with Holden Caulfield, the charming main character, about to get kicked out of school for the nth time. He left days before he's supposed to, then went to New York and smoked, drank, and "horsed" around, calling up and visiting some of his past acquaintances. The story's just all that, really.

Only, it's not. Holden did all that while reflecting on everything he saw, and for me, those were the best parts of this book. I haven't seen what he's seen or experienced what he's experienced, but I can still relate to him and his thoughts.

Holden got depressed quite easily, but he's really entertaining. He's crazy, to put it simply. At times, he clutched his stomach, pretending that he's shot. And he's quite the smooth liar. A very funny person, he was. I also loved how he just did what he wanted to; I wish I could be as brave as him.

Overall, The Catcher in the Rye was very good, and totally unworthy of being a challenged book. It reminded me of John Green's novels, which I also enjoyed (though, unfortunately, I have not yet read them all). I'm looking forward to reading Salinger's other book, Franny and Zooey.

MY FAVORITE PART was his encounter with who was possibly the true Mr. Antolini. That was hilariously shocking.

RATING: 5/5
(photo and summary from Goodreads.com) 

Luminosity and Gravity Double Trailer Reveal & Giveaway!

Title: Luminosity (Raven Chronicles #1) - Stephanie Thomas

Release Date: November 6th 2012

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pages: 400 (paperback)

ISBN: 1620611279

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.

About Stephanie:

Stephanie Thomas has been writing ever since she could put letters together to form words. When she was a small child, she would present her mother and father with self-made newspapers filled up with make believe stories and pictures. Her love for writing followed her all throughout her schooling, where she entered and won writing contests of all sorts. Stephanie decided to become an English teacher and completed her B.A. at The Pennsylvania State University. While teaching, she later went on to get her Master’s in writing from The Johns Hopkins University. She completed her very first manuscript during her graduate studies, and by the end of the program, she had completed two more. Stephanie is quick to tell anyone that she’s a born and raised Philadelphian, and her heart will always belong there. She moved to Baltimore with her husband, and they’ve been living there for the last five years with their doggie, Sailor, and their rabbit, Buns (aka "T Sizzle").

Where you can find Stephanie:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | The Raven Chronicles Facebook

Title: Gravity (The Taking #1) - Melissa West

Release Date: October 30th 2012

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pages: 400 (paperback)

ISBN: 1620610914

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

About Melissa:

Melissa lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes shoes, and could not live without coffee. Her writing heroes include greats like Jane Austen and Madeleine L'Engle.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange. 

GRAVITY is her first book.

Where you can find Melissa:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

And time for the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Angel Dust - Sarah Mussi

Title: Angel Dust

Author: Sarah Mussi

Release Date: August 2nd 2012

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Pages: 352 (paperback)

Goodreads 

Would you move heaven and earth for the one you love?

ANGEL DUST is a powerful, gritty and utterly modern tragic love story with a twist. When Serafina, the brightest and most beloved of all God's angels, is sent to collect Marcus Montague - "the original badman" - and take him to Hell, she finds herself powerfully drawn to him and makes a decision that places her in the middle of a war between Heaven and Hell. Can Serafina fall in love without falling from grace? Can Marcus's soul be saved? And just who is the mysterious and ever-so-helpful stranger Larry?

Sarah Mussi asks pertinent questions about free will, morality and how far is too far when it comes to love, making ANGEL DUST a must-read for YA readers who want more than the usual from their paranormal romance.

THE COVER

When I first compared this cover to the ARC copy that I received - thanks to a giveaway by the publisher! - I actually preferred the plain white ARC. Then I read it. Nice to meet you, Zara.

THE STORY

I admit: I thought I'd get another human-angel love story when I began reading Angel Dust, except that this time, it's the girl who's the heavenly being. But no, Angel Dust is so much more than that. In fact, I don't think it's a love story - another case of insta-love here, unfortunately - as much as a coming-of-age story.  

The book started out quite slow, although I was thrown straight into the action. Written in first-person POV, I easily understood Serafina's mind. The author integrated the backstory really well, no info-dump or whatsoever. It was easy to understand her take on angels and, trust me, it's so different, it made me laugh a few times.

It dragged in the middle, to be honest, but it was essential and I can't see it being done in a better way. And the ending? Wow! I love endings like that; not sugar-coated and realistic.

And Free Will. Sarah Mussi made me question that, too. Books rarely make me question anything, so I just loved this.

THE CHARACTERS

The main character, Serafina, was very hard to like. I doubt angels - yes, I believe in them - are really that naive and innocent (though in her defense, Serafina is a fresh graduate from the Cloisters). Then the next minute she was complaining about the littlest things! But I loved that she was brave and knew what she wanted. She also matured so much in the span of a week. 

Marcus, the gangsta whom Serafina fell for, was just that: a gangsta. He didn't make me swoon or anything, which was a first because I normally love bad boys.

And Larry, the helpful stranger, was not to be taken in face value. I had two guesses of who he truly was, and one of them, as I learned in the end, was correct. There was another guy - archangel, actually - and he was the one I liked. I have a thing for archangels.

MY FAVORITE PART was the ending. Just read it and see for yourself.

RATING: 3.5/5

(photo and summary from publisher's website)

Waiting on Wednesday {2}: Finale; Roar and Liv; Reaping Me Softly

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: Finale (Hush, Hush #4) - Becca Fitzpatrick

Release Date: October 23rd 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Goodreads 

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

I forgot to include this in last week's post *facepalm*

I can't believe one of my favorite series ever will end really soon, but I can only hope this farewell will be a happy one. In lieu of this, I'll be re-reading the first three books once I get a copy of Hush, Hush in hardback (I had that in paperback and the next two in hardback, and God knows how much I hate mismatched editions, so I gave it to a friend).

And I'm more than excited for another round of Patch's witty lines!

Title: Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky #1.5) - Veronica Rossi

Release Date: October 30th 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Goodreads 

Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital — and more brutal — than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever. 

Under the Never Sky is another book that I plan to re-read before getting to its sequel, Through the Ever Night, but I should be fine with this novella.

I loved Roar in UTNS; he was funny, the friend Aria needed during those trying times. I hope he'll get his happy ending.

What confuses me though is why this one's numbered 1.5. Isn't this a prequel, making it a 0.5?  

Title: Reaping Me Softly - Kate Evangelista

Release Date: October 30th 2012

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Goodreads 

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did? 

Whoa look at that stunning cover... And as if that's not enough reason for me to read this book, it's by a Filipina author! I haven't read her first book, Taste, yet, but that and this one are definitely near the top of my list. Just let me say farewell to my dearest Patch first.

Multimedia Mondays {5}: Kiss by Carly Rae Jepsen; X-Men First Class

'Multimedia Mondays' is a feature that I created to post about a movie / TV show that I've recently watched or the new music that I have on repeat. Because a great library won't be complete without a multimedia section.

 1. Tiny Little Bows

2. This Kiss

3. Call Me Maybe

4. Curiosity

5. Good Time (ft. Owl City)

6. More Than A Memory

7. Turn Me Up

8. Hurt So Good

9. Beautiful (ft. Justin Bieber)

10. Tonight I'm Getting Over You

11. Guitar String / Wedding Ring

12. Your Heart Is A Muscle

(with different bonus tracks for different editions)

I really love this album. Most of the songs are upbeat, but not the noisy kind of upbeat. In some of them, though, I can't bear with Jepsen's voice... okay, it's actually just in 'Guitar String / Wedding Ring', which makes it my least favorite song in the album. It's not one of those treasures wherein I loved all of the songs, but I could listen to this on repeat for a whole day. 

Honestly, I already did.

In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start World War I I I.

I watched this last night while my sisters ended up sleeping on the couch - sleepyheads and loved it! For me, it's the best out of all the X-Men movies because I've never seen these characters in the way they were portrayed in this (did they get this from a Marvel comic or was this an original for the big screen?). Jean Grey not being there - she wasn't, right? - and Hugh Jackman's short cameo as Logan are two other reasons. Lastly, this made me want an X-Men Origins: Magneto movie even more, though we got the gist of that in here.

(photos and tracklist from Wikipedia; movie summary from IMDb)