Books

The Catcher in the Rye. Mmmm. Predictable. Holden is a kid with no friends and a mixed family relationship... yes, why, it would make perfect sense for him to go through an emotional breakdown while he runs away from his problems. It never provided surprise or suspense, at least for me, which made it a bit boring. Wasn't very funny either, or new or interesting in its style. I guess that's because my in-head dialogue is pretty similar to Holden's. I just don't find him interesting or deep at all. Maybe the overall meaning of the book had some value for me. I came to notice that people that try so hard not to conform end up painting targets on their backs and pretty much creating violence in the world because of it. People should really just be themselves. It definitely provided me with more clarity.

First They Killed My Father annoyed me. The title insisted that the father would be killed first. I was waiting for it the entire time, and I got restless. By the time her father FINALLY died in the book, I honestly gave a sigh of relief that that milestone was covered. I also am annoyed by this type of book in general. It's meant to draw sympathy out of me, but I really don't care. But of course if I say that, then I'm a terrible terrible person. So to avoid guilt I'll make myself cry about it a little and tell people about it so I can get it off of my conscience. Just kidding, I'm honest with myself. I won't obligate myself to like a book just because it's about a depressing topic. But sure, I'll agree that Cambodian genocide was horrible and genocide and other anti-human activities should be prevented. Just I think a death toll and some nasty photos could easily replace this book.

Inherit the Wind was pretty cool. Loved the use of the quote. Inspires a lot of thought about different types of people and their right to be themselves. Big message packed in a short play, that's a plus. I really liked how it sprinkled some ambiguity at the end about the mean spirited journalist guy. The message about religion was a bit off I'd say, but I won't get into that as I'd then write a novel. Entirely about my own opinion. Which is useless, and very... you know. Suffice to say, I think religion is a great thing too, but in a more realistic way than the play suggests.

A Midsummer Night's Dream was a nice light read. Nothing too deep, but inspiring and feel-good. The play on words humor was refreshing, new (well, old). For me, it takes the reader out of their world into a place where the rules of interaction are a bit skewed. Aside from the magic and all, the characters didn't feel especially real. Too melodramatic. That's very entertaining from a third person perspective, but I avoid melodramatic people because they are annoying to actually deal with. So I can't really apply it to my life, and I can't say much about this play, but I certainly enjoyed it and remember it with a smile. Overall, it accomplishes its goals.

My Antonia. Yuck. I hardly know what to say. Yuck. Well, Jim is a pathetic tard. In the end he decides to give a staggering amount of meaning to something truly not that important. Ooh, childhood. Ooh, childhood love. Great. Move on, man, move on. All the sentimentalism makes me cringe. Maybe when I'm 40 and suffering from a midlife crisis, having trouble finding meaning in my life, yeah - maybe THEN. Then I'll go all Jim Burden and live in a dreamworld interpretation of my childhood where everything is golden. Probably not. I'll probably just... never mind. Point is, I can't relate at all to this book and it's long and boring and arduous and I regret reading it.

gnipyt sdrawkcab si nuf. ohw stnaw ot evah a sdrawkcab noitasrevnoc?