The unfortunate passing of J.D. Salinger as of late has got me thinking about why I liked The Catcher in the Rye so much. I’ve re-read the book several times after high school when it was originally assigned and found myself laughing at the lead character Holden Caulfield’s continuously jaded view of the world and himself. I laughed because Holden was the embodiment of what I once thought myself to be, regardless of social or economic stature, I loved that Salinger so accurately and beautifully depicted the angst of a young man too big for his or anyone else’s britches.

I’ve heard and read a lot of harsh criticisms of The Catcher In The Rye from some people because they feel it’s Salinger simply indulging the rich, white man’s plight. Indeed, Holden Caulfield was a rich kid from New York City who really had a nice life afforded to him by his parents. But he had bitterness towards the world and most people he knew and met. Even the few people that said were “alright” throughout the book usually were folks of a more modest personality or background, but never too modest because then they’d illicit disgust from Holden for making him feel bad for being wealthy.

What I liked about The Catcher In The Rye was how I thought back to the days when I was growing up and going to a rather wealth-driven private school in the suburbs, unless people knew me personally, they didn’t know I was one of the city boys who got to go there because of his grades and a single mother who was damned if her song was going to get tangled up in the local trouble he so loved to indulge in. I really integrated as far as one possibly could into the private school lifestyle that at some points I stopped noticing the difference in background I had from so many of my new friends.

When I turned 16 and lots of my buddies started getting their first cars, it was definitely easy to notice which kids came from which types of families. Some of the kids in my grade rolled up in new BMW’s, Mercedes, some had modest but nice Toyota Carolas and others, including myself had rust-buckets (mine happened to be a 1988 Jeep Comanche).

Regardless of which way I looked at it at the time (probably looked at it quite jealously), all of these piles of metal, bolts and pistons were to some degree hand me downs. I bought mine with birthday and Catholic confirmation (HA!) gift money I received. Others simply got theirs given to them. It didn’t matter and still doesn’t.

My point is that I still always felt the same ways Holden did. I was an un-grateful little prick at times even with all the amazing love, attention and support my mother and family gave me and still was determined to strike it out, make mistakes and get my ass kicked by life on my own terms. It transcended the idea that our backgrounds make us up entirely but more like  there’s something inside that makes us feel more alive when we’re lost in a city or dark country road, judging, being humbled and still learning continuously.

To go on the record, I was a cheater in high school. I cheated on more literature tests that I remember. I never read a full book in high school  and always, always, ALWAYS read the Cliff Notes version to get by. Not because I hated reading, but because I was a real Holden Caulfield in the flesh who was too damn stubborn to something he was told just on principal. I smile when I realize that part of me is still very much alive. I also like to think that Holden grew up to be a little bit like me… because I did in fact go back and read every single book that I was ever assigned in high school, in full, non-Cliff-Notes and loved it.

Thanks J.D. Salinger for making me feel a little less like a stubborn ass!

I like to read a lot. I am always reading at least two books at a time and I usually read about a book a week in all. I have been an absolute fiction freak for the past 4 years, but I’m shifting towards business books a bit more now. The entrepreneur in me is screaming to be let out.

I have been contributing to and reading blogs quite heavily for the past year or so. I’ve always blogged to some degree, but I became resolved to write every day in a purposeful manner and realized that a blog focusing on issues that people of my generation face would be good motivation to raise the bar each day.

That being said, I’ve been reading business blogs lately and they have given me excellent motivation and advice for starting my own business. I also reviewed a business novel called “Jack’s Notebook” by Gregg Fraley, which I loved as well. Now my appetite is whetted and I no longer crave fiction as much as I do a good business novel. I want to read practical and applicable advice on how people started their businesses and how I can get mine going from the point it’s at now.

I’m very interested in any and all suggestions. Whether it’s a blog, published white paper, etc. I’m hungry for all knowledge. I’ll obviously search some out and whatever I read and really like, I’ll share with you.

What business books, or any books for that matter, have changed your perspectives in 2008?