[stylist] What are you Reading Right Now?

Tue Oct 18 13:55:50 UTC 2016

One of the reasons Catcher in the Rye is read in high school is because of
its style and tone. It was written at a time when a lot of writers were
experimenting with style and tone and format and subject matter. Salinger
was also a part of the artistic community asking questions of life and
stepping away from social norms. This is reflected in the writing.

I don't think schools or other entities are "forcing" books on anyone but
simply trying to introduce people, particularly young people, to literature
and good literature at that. It's good to have an eclectic reading list, and
school is usually when we are introduced to a variety of literature. Plus,
you begin to learn how to analyze literature and understand the writing
process. This provides a comprehensive understanding of writing, usually
allowing for a better, clearer understanding of the text.

We all have differing likes and dislikes when it comes to literature. Not
everyone will enjoy the same books. But whether fiction, genre fiction
(western, historical fic, fantasy, etc.) poetry or nonfiction, the best
books pay attention to craft. Style, tone, voice, format- it's all a part of
the process for writers.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D via stylist
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 6:58 AM
To: Writers' Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jacobson, Shawn D <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
Subject: Re: [stylist] What are you Reading Right Now?

Chris

I hate when books are forced on me; it gives me a negative impression right
from the get go.

I had not noticed Salinger's stylistic genius when reading Catcher, I may
have to read it again to try to pick up on it.  Having said that, my guess
is that stylistic genius is like offensive line play in football; the best
play goes unnoticed and is meant to.  Overly noticeable literary style tends
to come off as self-indulgent.

The latest book I've read that I was impressed with was John Scalzi's "The
End of All Things" the latest in his Old Man's War series.  This is military
SF, but the emphasis is less on the actual war part than on the way
statecraft is done.

Anyway, good reading.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Kuell
via stylist
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2016 6:48 PM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Chris Kuell <ckuell at comcast.net>
Subject: [stylist] What are you Reading Right Now?

I first read 'Catcher in the Rye' in high school, when they forced us to,
andI remember disliking it.

Fast forward  25 years, to when my own kids were in high school and I'd
developed a much deeper appreciation for the written word. I read every book
they had to read, plus most of the books on their summer lists.

So when I read 'Catcher' a second time, I could see that Salinger was
painting a portrait of an angsty teenager. Holden doesn't come across that
way accidentally--it is quite intentional. I immediately read it again, and
studied Salinger's sentence and paragraph structure, and it's really quite
brilliant. He creates paragraphs where Holden says or thinks something in
the first sentence, then things get muddled and he completely contradicts
himself in the last sentence of the paragraph. 

And after all, isn't that a large part of being a teenager, then and now?
Trying to figure out who you are and what you think, all while being
confused much of the time.

Salinger took ten years to write that book, and in my opinion, it was well
worth it.

Chris

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