You read 3 (or more) books this past summer. Which book from the summer reading list did you find to be the most "interesting"? In a paragraph or two, tell me what it takes to make a book interesting (in your opinion) and how the summer book you chose met the standard of "most" interesting. If NONE of the books qualified for that title (again, in your opinion) tell me where and why they fell short of your standard.

Finally, tell me what things you read OTHER than assigned books? Did you read magazines, other novels, travel guides for a vacation, instructions for how to work something, whatever? Think it over, this could be a longer list than you first imagine! Which of these other things was the most interesting.... did you use the same standard as you did for paragraph one? If not, why not?

An interesting book must engage the reader and compel the reader to be concerned with the characters; the choices that they make, the effects of their own actions and events that are beyond their control. I consider characterization to be extremely important in regards to whether or not a book is interesting. The protagonist (or anti-hero) should be fleshed out so that their motivations and ideals are in focus. I'm not so much concerned with whether I can sympathize or relate to a character or a particular conflict, because I am often interested in books for the healthy dose of escapism that they can provide.

Catch-22, and most of Heller's other novels, are particularly interesting to me because the characters are almost always flawed and very well presented. Yossarian and the other military misfits are all given unique characteristics and situations in which to present their eccentric and intriguing behaviors. In addition, I always appreciate satire, which can be found in just about every sentence of Catch-22.

I read too many things to readily recount, but the works that come to mind include Victor Frankl's Man's Search For Meaning, Public Enemies, Atlas Shrugged, Brave New World, Hemingway's Across the River and into the Trees, a smattering of James Patterson novels, , plenty of liner notes from CD's, every issue of Rolling Stone magazine, Fortune Magazine, the Economist, etc. For the novels and even the nonfiction, the above criteria hold true and everything else I read out of my love for music and international affairs.

** What an eclectic range of reading material! I wouldn't have pegged you for a Patterson fan... but then I don't know you that well yet! Glad you enjoyed Heller!

Consider the novel you read for the theme SELF-DISCOVERY.

What exactly was it that the novel's main character discovered about himself/herself? Explain how this discovery was an integral part of the novel's substance or core.

How was this discovery applicable to you as the reader? In what sense could it be applicable to ALL readers? What did you learn about YOURSELF as you watched the character change within the novel?

In Catch-22, John Yossarian becomes convinced that he is leading a hopeless, doomed existence. He can see that the "greater good" will be victorious regardless of his involvement, so despite the fact that he is part of a war effort that will lead to victory for his country, he considers that national struggle almost inconsequential in comparison to his personal struggle for survival. By the conclusion of the novel, Yossarian's pessimistic attitude is changed by the discovery that his good friend Orr has managed to escape to Sweden, which leads to his own plan to desert from the military. Rather than feeling ashamed for his desertion, Yossarian proclaims  "I'm not running away from my responsibilites...There's nothing negative about running away to save my life."

This discovery points to one of the novel's themes. Rather than ending on a note of somber despair, Yossarian is truly happy and hopeful for the first time since he was condemned to combat. Yossarian's episode of self-discovery suggests that the novel is not presenting life as a violent, pointless endeavor, but rather as something of supreme value, something worth fighting for.

I think that Yossarian's discovery is pertinent to my own life and every life. In the clutches of despair and depression, Yossarian found an alternative and a reason to enjoy life. Although Heller illustrates the point a bit more subtly, the discovery basically translates to: "Never give up, even in the most dire circumstances, because your life is precious." Through reading this novel, I became a little introspective and reflected on the fact that I tend to pessimistic and glum at times, which everyone inevitably experiences, but living is something to be cherished and protected.

++ Kudos to you as you move away from glum! Introspection is good... but pessimism is a trap! We are called to live in hope! Nice post, Nathan!