Saturday, September 3, 2011

You're Just Reading These Now?

Awhile ago I noted that there are three categories of books on the list. These two decidedly fall in the category of books that people are surprised I haven't read. In some ways, those are the least exciting ones. Anyway, here goes.

The Color Purple is rather the sort of book that you're glad to have read, but not glad while reading it. I was sort of dreading it, even though I knew that it would be excellent. Definitely lived up to expectations on both counts. Yes, it's haunting, painful, beautiful work. It's also extremely, extremely triggering. Ultimately, it was more uplifting and I guess affirming than I had expected, but still, super triggering.

I certainly am not the target audience for Catcher in the Rye. It left me feeling rather the same way that Franny and Zooey did, which I suppose makes sense. I decided to read it in a quick sitting, and I'm glad that I did. It's one that I just wanted to get behind me.

It's another one of those reads that it's hard not to have other associations with, since it pops up so much in other literary and pop culture. Depressingly enough, though, the only example I can think of is a Full House episode. That is seriously, seriously pathetic.

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