Submitted by: Jeremy Hillyard
Generally, what inspires you to read?
The possibility of escape. That I can open a book and forget about all the stresses in my current life by living vicariously through a literary character and learning from them.
When did you first read The Catcher in the Rye?
In 11th grade Honors English class, for a book report
How did you come to read this book?
I had always heard about it, but never read it. I mentioned it to my English teacher, Mrs. Hall, and she said she thought I would enjoy it.
Why has this book inspired you the most?
It was the first book that I ever read that made me cry. Plus, I could really relate to the main character (a student) and the struggles he faced, since I was facing some of the same ones myself at the time.
In reading this book, how has your life been influenced or changed?
This book has allowed me to accept the fact that we all have challenges in our lives, and we all have things that we don’t want people to know about us. Also, it shows how a young boy takes to the world and tackles it and his challenges all on his own, which to me is very admirable. I often have “Holden Caulfield” movements when I discover things that bother me about the world and people, and think about what I can do to change them. This book has really helped me to shape my values and priorities, and to really examine my purpose for living.
