Three Random Books, Reviewed Very Quickly

Today's post is a new feature, called Three Random Books, Reviewed Very Quickly (or TRB,RVQ for those in the know). Rather than a top ten list (because what's the fun in that?), I bring to you the three favorite books on my bedside table right now. I might write in-depth reviews of these books later, but for now I'll keep it quick. You don't have time to read reviews, anyway - you should be reading these books!

1. I Am the Messenger, by Markus Zusak
     It's set in modern Australia (where Zusak lives), and the main character, Ed Kennedy, is a complete loser ... until he is chosen by an unknown stranger to complete a number of tasks. It's almost like a treasure hunt, but it instead of looking for little presents, he must risk his own life to help other people. The tasks range from setting up Christmas lights for a family to murdering a man; but if Ed tries to refuse an assignment, he will be killed. Although Ed does try to find out who is behind it all, the focus of the book is more on how he helps people; it raises some interesting questions. If he is being forced and threatened to help these people, is he still doing a good thing?
     The same amazing writing style present in The Book Thief is found here, and though this book is darker, it's also funnier.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan 
     This is the story of two teenage boys with the same name who could not be more different. They meet in an unexpected corner of Chicago and, though they spend most of the book apart, living their own lives, they affect each other in surprising ways.
     It's written by two authors, which I usually hate because I typically like one author and hate the other, and skip the hated chapters, and then spend the rest of the book in utter confusion. I have to admit, at first I hated David Levithan's character (mostly because he used all lowercase letters and I REALLY LIKE CAPS LOCK). After a few chapters, though, I started to appreciate how the characters work off each other and how the story matters equally to both of them.

3. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
     Holden Caufield is practically a cliche by now, the stereotypical angry and angsty teenager. He wanders around New York finding fault in everyone (but who could blame him, all the phonies are depressing as hell). I think that's why I liked this book so much - Holden was hypocritical and melodramatic, and completely real.
     (Also! According to the authors of Salinger's biography, more of Salinger's works are going to be published posthumously between 2015 and 2020. He kept writing until his death in 2010. Reportedly, these books and short stories will revisit old characters, like Holden Caufield and Franny and Zooey).

~Maya