Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Catcher In The Rye



As the new year approached, Greg and I sat and discussed some goals that we wanted to work on. One of them for both of us was to read more. And to take it a step further, that once we read a book, we should record it and do book report, which will be more like reviews, here on our blog. I liked this idea because it will kind of memorialize all the books I read. Before going out and buying some (which is one of my favorite things to do) I’ve decided to first read all of the books on our shelves that have been begging to get read. I’ve got quite a few to get through- let me tell you. I’ll also start using Goodreads.com to track these books I’m reading. I seem to always forget about that account, but I must start using it as it is quite handy. My user name is AndreaRoyal – if you want to friend me, I’d love to see what you are reading too!



I decided to first start with a classic that somehow never ended up in the curriculum of any of the public schools I attended: The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. Salinger. The only thing I had heard about this book is how much of a controversy it was. I thought it was going to be all anarchy and rage against the machine type of book. However, it was not. I was at first a little dumbfounded as to why in the world it would ever be controversial, and also, at first I wasn’t sure it was even going anywhere. But I quickly came to like the protagonist, Holden Caufield. He is just your average teenager who is totally disenchanted with humanity and his life. You realize that he is just a really good, and kind of heartbroken, lost kid.  By the end of it, I had wished I had read it when I was a teenager. I could have totally related to him then. And I think that is why it is such a classic…..so many teens feel those feelings he describes. All in all, I liked it, and I’m glad I read it. I give it three out of five stars! ***

Have you ever read it? How would you rate it?

Thursday, January 10, 2013

A New Year - Welcome 2013

2.0.1.3. 
Crazy. Does anyone else think....I remember in the 90's when the year 2013 was pictured with flying cars and trips to space? Where are the flying cars? That's what I want to know!


Boy was 2012 a year to remember! In fact, I think many of my posts coming up will be in review of 2012, because I was lazy and I just didn't feel like posting! Oh well. I'll call it a series of "Looking Back". I like to do that anyway. Let's review a few of the reason's 2012 was memorable - in a list - shall we?

January: Greg almost died. A head injury, brain bleed and low sodium - YIKES! I could not be more grateful to have him here, with me, and no injuries this year! Whoot! We are starting out good here folks!

March: Trip to AZ for my little sister's baby shower. I spent lots of time with the sisters and it was wonderful!

April: A pretty significant month. My nephew Jett was born. Such a cutie he is! A few scares with that as he was pretty early, but he came out with a healthy weight and quickly became the little chunker he is!
on the 30th though, my step-dad passed away unexpectedly. that sucked.

May: Drove 2 days to Snowflake, AZ to be with my mom and help out with the funeral stuff. 

June: The Dirty Dash! FUN!

July: My mom, Kristi & Jett, and my Aunt Lynn and Uncle Pat came to visit for the first time. It was way to quick, but wonderful nonetheless. At the end of the month my cousin Zac moved up here.

September: The Corvallis Fall Festival!

November: My Grandma and Grandpa and Mom came for Thanksgiving. I was ever so thankful to host and have them in my home. It felt natural, just really good having them here. We had a wonderful time and I need to dedicate a post just to that.

December: I hosted my first Christmas party with friends. Greg and I had a quiet Christmas with just the two of us, but were able to have Christmas dinner with some great friends.

Well, there you have it. Happy New Year to you! I'm looking forward to good things this year, and I hope you are too!