The Catcher in the Rye.

One of my friends recommend me this during the freshman year. It's been on my mind ever since then and I finally had the chance to read it- as the sophomore summer break started and the time is only thing I got. 

As I read it through, there were multiple occasions where I could  related myself to the protagonist Holden Caulfield, who has become a known icon of teenage angst and alienation. Then I remembered all the talks I had on the issues of identity, belonging, connection, and alienation through drinks and nights.

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"You could go there (Museum of Natural History) a hundred thousand times, and that Eskimo would still be just finished catching those two fish, the birds would still be on their way south, the deers would still be drinking out of that water hole. Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you."

"Not that you'd be so much older or anything. It wouldn't be that, exactly. You'd just be different, that's all. You'd have an overcoat on this time. Or the kid that was your partner in line the last time had got scarlet fever and you'd have have a new partner. Or you'd heard your mother and father having a terrific fight in the bathroom." It's true; I've probably been the exact same person since I was born, except all the small experiences and little decisions that would've drift me to where/who I am now. 

"I mean you'd be different in some way- I can't explain what I mean. And even if I could, I'm not sure I'd feel like it." It's pretty awesome that I'm still a coming of age cliché; so much frustration and yet with much anticipation.

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One of the constant themes of the book is Holden's alienation as a form of self-protection. He wears his hunting hat to advertise his uniqueness and difference from others. However, it also forms cynical sense of superiority within him, which ultimately serves as a type of self-protection, and prevents normal interactions with others. 'Alienation is both the source of holden's strength and the source of his problems.'