Inspired by my sister, I’m going to try to write something about each book I read this year.

Book 1: The Catcher In The Rye. This is, by many lists, a classic that everyone is supposed to read. I can’t imagine why. It wasn’t good. It wasn’t even bad. It wasn’t anything but a rambling stream-of-consciousness blah blah blah about several mostly-uneventful days in the life of a very unpleasant young man.

I recommend that you read it, not because I thought it worth reading, but because I endured it, and so I think you should, too.

J.D. Salinger died very recently, having spent more than 40 years pretty much in hiding. According to that article, at least, the book remained popular because it was offensive. And, as I’m sure you know, kids want to read books that are full of foul language and sexual references, mostly because it’s forbidden. I honestly can’t figure any other reason that anybody’s still reading this book all these years later.

Or maybe it’s famous for being famous. That’s certainly why I read it. And now, no doubt, some of you will read it because I’ve mentioned it. I’ve become part of the perpetuation of this drivel. Just great.

Next on the list is The Boy Who Dared, by Susan Campbell Bartoletti.