Citation: Salinger, J. (1951). The catcher in the rye. Little, Brown.
Content Warnings: Alcohol, sexual content, and mental health discussions.
Holden Caulfield recounts a story that took place over the course of a weekend, his coming-of-age tale. Having just been expelled from his prep school, Holden embarks on a self-destructive journey of drinking, self-loathing, and failed romantic encounters. In the end, Holden realizes there are things in this life that are joyous and can bring him happiness.
This book is controversial, and has been placed on many banned book lists, but it is still popular among novels read in high schools. It is a book that goes deeper than the drinking and self-destruction to really explore depression and feeling lost. It is a must-read for older teens interested in the classics, or someone who can read between the lines and get a deeper understanding of Salinger’s words. The books weakness is that it is somewhat outdated, which may turn readers away, but the themes are still important today.