read classic lit with me | CLASSICS DIARY EP. 1 

YES! JUSTICE FOR HOLDEN AND CATCHER IN THE RYE. it's been one of my favorite books ever since i first read it in 7th grade, and i am TIRED of all the slander

emmie's videos about classics are my favorite genre fr

I love The Catcher in the Rye. Holden is a kind and generous kid who's left alone to deal with major traumas. All he wants is to connect with people on a deep level and to protect/save children.

It's so amazing that you love Catcher in the Rye. By the way, pay attention to Holden's name. I'll quote from an internet article: Holden’s name is also significant: Holden can be read as “hold on,” and Caulfield can be separated into caul and field. Holden’s desire is to “hold on” to the protective covering (the caul) that encloses the field of innocence (the same field he wishes to keep the children from leaving). Holden desperately wants to remain true and innocent in a world full of, as he puts it, “phonies.” I loved watching you talk about this book so much!

I’m so happy you understand catcher in the rye. I can’t stand when ppl say he’s just bratty teen boy, Holden and the book do not deserve the hate at all

The whole time I was reading Catcher in the Rye, I felt that loneliness despite not really knowing why. I don’t know if it’s because I was so shy and socially awkward as a teenager, but that feeling of desperately wanting to connect with someone really resonated with me. It’s like his attitude was a defence mechanism to protect himself from being rejected.

Fun fact: The Catcher in the Rye is one of four books that my dad has read in his entire life. Not a reader, that man… 🤣 and yet, he swears he loves it, and sings its praises to this day, even though I doubt he’s reread it in 40-plus years. (He’s 64) He actually still has his high school copy, and it’s the same exact edition that Carolyn was reading! Myself, I first read it in 8th grade, and didn’t really understand it. I’ve since not actually reread the entire thing, and know most of what I know now from other sources. Shame on me… alas, I don’t own a copy. Maybe it’s time I borrow my dad’s… 😄 And finally, IMHO anyone who hates Holden must have misunderstood the book. I can’t see any other way. He’s one of the greatest protagonists of all time.

The Catcher in the Rye has been my favorite novel since age 14. I've read it many times since and at age 54, I still stand by it! I'm happy you gave it a chance & loved it ❤.

i'm SO happy you liked catcher, as my favorite classic of all time I feel validated by you loving it lol!

The Catcher in The Rye is my favorite book. It’s was the first book i ever loved, at 15 it hit me so hard and blew my mind. I found it absolutely hilarious (i thought it reminded me of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books), which i didn’t know classics could be. The thing that struck me the most was his relationship with his little sister bc it reminded me so much of me and my older brother. It was the heart of the book for me and i never hear anyone talk about it. And the fact that Salinger wrote a large part of it during his WWII service. I could talk about this book forever. I’ve now reread it multiple times over the years, and every time i do i feel like i relate more to Holden and find new hidden gems of symbolism. This book is filled with so much beauty.

I would highly recommend Hungarian classics. They're usually minimal plot just vibes books, and Hungarian poetry, especially in 19th-20th century is sooo lyrical. For Hungarian books in hungarian it's not that hard to be lyrical, because the language itself is lyrical and even the most mundane things are talked about in flowery language, naturally, in everyday use.

Thank you so much emmie for this diary. I have been so inspired by you to read more ever since diving into your world. Your passion for reading truly transpires through the screen in everything you read even though it's a book you didn't necessarily enjoy. Thank you for making reading more accessible, attractive and enjoyable.

I feel like the minority that preferred David Copperfield over Catcher in The Rye. I tried to love Catcher in The Rye but Holden kept rubbing me the wrong way. I understand he has been through a lot but he comes off very…insufferable.

OKAY SO, about that Catcher in the rye ending, SPOILERS MAYBE? When I first read the book I thought Holden was in a mental hospital at the end too, I mean it made sense. But then I watched a summary of the book and they said that he actually was hospitalized with tuberculosis? My first reaction was thinking they had made a mistake but sure enough, Holden says in the first pages of the novel that he got t.b. (as in tuberculosis) because he smoked so much and had to go there to get checked up. I read it a long time ago so I guess there could be different interpretations, maybe he lied to us at the beggining about the reason why he was in that place, maybe he went to the hospital because of tb first but then they realized he needed psychiatric help, maybe the author wanted to leave the present blurry intentionally. This keeps me up at night, I need to reread it

I love Catcher in the rye, and I am convinced that Holden is autistic (ASD1). My husband and two of my children are on the spectrum, and when I read the book, so many things Holden went through reminded me of them: Not feeling connected to people, feeling alienated, Sensory overload in the city, Obsession (ducks in park), Not being able to identify his feelings (loss of his brother), His deep care for his little sister, Regretting and overthinking situations...

Your love for Catcher is infectious, makes me want to reread it. Probably been 14 years or so since I read it, but I remember that I also enjoyed it and I've never understood people disliking Holden - i found him relatable so I guess people dislike me too 😎

I absolutely love when somebody approaches and asks me what I'm reading!

So early! This is the reward I get for having insomnia I guess, very excited for you reading The Brother’s Karamazov. I read it this year and it was so excellent, Dostoevsky’s writing is super addictive for some reason and I love how empathetic he is to his characters. Much love and hope you enjoy!!

Emma your videos always help with my anxiety. Wishing you the best ♡ thank you for blessing us with your presence

Im so happy you liked catcher! When i first finished it i was like "well that wasnt great" but then i just couldnt stop thinking about it for months. I think the book rearranged something in my brain. And that scene towards the end when Holden is watching his sister on the carousel.... Jesus i tear up just thinking about it

I loved Catcher in the Rye when I read it, and I was so surprised to later find out it has such a bad reputation! I honestly think that the people who complain about Holden being too "whiny" or "difficult" need to have more sympathy for him and be more empathetic; the boy is clearly struggling with so much, he's traumatized...it's really hard to believe that so many people chalk everything up to him being whiny. Also totally agree that it's a funny book, I remember laughing at his musings several times! So glad you liked this goddamn book!

emmie your videos give me so much joy, so excited to see more of these classic diaries!! also i’ve been excited all year to read the brothers karamasov! it’ll be my fourth dostoyevsky and i feel it’ll be my favorite :)

12:35 "He starts talking to these women and starts talking about women and then you start to feel less sorry for him." Lol Emma 🤣🤣🤣

omg i love it when upload videos about CLASSICS!!!♥️💖🥰😍

Saving this for bedtime... a relaxing unwind before the mayhem of Monday! 😊

Of course I think no one has an obligation to like a book. But if someone hates the catcher in the rye it kinda suggests to me that person has no empathy.

Dang you’re really making me want to reread Catcher in the Rye

The Classics Diary!! I’m going to love this series!!

I'm only 6min in but I have to say that I loved catcher in the rye so much and what you are saying about Holden is exactly what I felt when I was reading this book!!

I love love love your videos about classic literature! Its honestly primarily your fault that i started reading classic lit two years ago and i grew so much as a reader and as a person because of it, so thank you!!❤ I had to skip these two months of the GoT book club because of my final exams, but i will be joining you again for the next to picks! (Although i will be reading The Stranger in May and The Brothers Karamazov in June, as I want to do a buddy read of TBK with my friend and hes still very busy until June haha.) Im really looking forward to the Dostoevsky Diaries!!

Love the idea of this series! I also loved Catcher In The Rye when I read it. Definitely will have to check out David Copperfield at some point! 😊

Currently reading Les Miserables and Moby Dick! Slow crawl these books are massive. Maybe Catcher in the Rye I’ll get to over the Summer! 🥰

I actually really enjoyed David Copperfield it was my first ever Dickens book. I loved that the book had a lot of characters throughout the story and I didn’t find myself bored with just the main character.

Yay! She's back! Love your emphasis on the classics. I just finished The Idiot by Dostoevsky. Had some feelings. I should reread Karamazov--I remember loving it in the high school. And as a fellow Dickens fanatic, I'll agree with you--David Copperfield was one of my least favorites. TBH, Dickens saying that it was autobiographical just made me think less of HIM personally, lol. Have a great week, Emma!

Anything Emma puts out I watch. Her video are almost too soothing. They put me out every time. ❤❤❤

funny how in the greek translation "phoney" was translated as "counterfeit" and somehow I think it felt better

I'm so happy you liked Catcher in the Rye! I read it back in high school and it was such an amazing experience because I had an amazing Lit professor who made us actually enjoy the book and have interesting conversations about it. Had I read it on my own I probably would have not like it. Loved the vlog!

This is the sign I needed to reread my favorite classic! So glad you love Catcher in the Rye!

I didn't read David Copperfield but I loved The Catcher in the Rye! SPOILERS Holden is suffering from PTSD and he KNOWS he is depressed and it's really interesting. I don't know if his parents are necessarily abusive/neglectful (for the times), but the trauma is very much from the death of his brother and how he wasn't even able to attend the funeral bc he was shipped off to school. I nearly peed laughing so hard when the cab driver tells him the fish free and their pores open and they absorb seaweed for nutrients in the winter LOL... and I was like "Holden my dude!!! you literally just talked about migration patterns and the museum but you are asking about the ducks?? The math is mathing!" LOL I found him quite relatable, I wonder if the people who hate him, like when Caroline read it initially (I know she changed her mind now), that the hate partially stems from it being required reading in some schools and it's kids who don't relate reading it and wondering why this kid is getting to do so much stuff and is still "whiny" when they are working their butts off in school and have "real problems". I think he is more relatable because once you're out of highschool you learn his responses are real and you likely have had some sort of pain similar to him. I finished the book and felt sad knowing we would never get an update on Holden. Also, I was so confused bc this book is largely like frowned upon for being partly why Lennon was shot and in the possession of many criminals, but like it doesn't further enrage any PTSD and if anything it sorta reminds you that you're not alone in your loneliness. I was very shocked that this book has the bad stigma when it could be considered rather therapeutic to someone feeling alone... Everything to Holden was phony, depressing, and simply not good enough, except his little sister who was still innocent enough to not have the flaws that older kids/people have. The only truly disappointing part of the book was when he explains "the catcher in the rye" and how he is actually misremembering a song LOL! Poor Holden.

I'm so glad someone else likes Catcher in the Rye😊I think you'd like Salinger's short stories, too. I can't wait for you to read Brothers Karamazov!

Count me in for this series! I finally started reading Moby Dick and thanks to Emma's vids, War and Peace for the first time.

So glad you've found a classic you really enjoyed bc classics offer more opportunities to interact with other readers on a level above "Oh, I liked this but not that," and "Me too, except for that, I didn't like that" etc. Ofc it's too bad about DC but that's life. Looking forward to the live show (next week), and also looking forward to Brothers Karamazov, which will be only my 2d Dostoevsky. As for Camus' L'etranger, I'll be (re)reading it in French and really hope you join me there.

Can’t wait till you read Brothers K. Nothing like it. Keep in mind that, although they are often mentioned together, Tolstoy, and Dostoevsky have absolutely nothing in common - they are completely irreconcilable. Btw CITR is a direct descendent of Huck Finn :)

Your new haircut looks amazing on you!!!

It’s so interesting how everyone finds their own way in these books. I remember seeing something of myself in David, so I had a strong emotional pull towards him and the book

Sorry you didn’t love David copperfield!! I’m almost done reading it, and it’s definitely no tale of two cities (my favorite dickens!!), but what really fascinates me about it is that he starts out asking if he is the main character of his life…and what is so beautiful is that he isn’t!! If you asked Uriah heep if he was the main character of his own life he it would be an ecstatic yes - he only cares about himself. But David spends pages and pages discussing all of the people around him and making them the central characters. he lets them shine brighter than himself and he lets them teach him and make him better. I found that so entrancing! Really Holden and David juxtapose each other so much in that Holden lives this lonely life, where David is surrounded by deep connections. I was definitely bored by David copperfield a bit at times, but the characters helped bring it to life. I actually enjoy both of these books!!

I read The Cather in the Rye in my teen years and it easily became my favorite book! Something about an angsty teen reading about an angsty teen was magical. I will forever be its defender. It. deserves. better.

i read catcher in the rye this month for the first time and its easily one of my favorite classic lits now

I'm 50, and I read The Catcher in the Rye in high school. Not because I was assigned it, but because someone left it on a cafeteria table and I was intrigued by the title, and the stark red cover with no illustration. I read the first page and was instantly hooked, maybe because I also had some unresolved childhood trauma of my own. I re-read it a few years ago and I found even funnier and sadder than I remember. It holds up. One reason it got a bad rap (at least back in the 80's) was its influence on a few people who did some truly horrible things. It became a symbol for the typical disaffected youth even though it is a well written piece of literature.

I’m so glad that you’re enjoying Catcher in the rye! I love this book so much I’m thinking about doing my dissertation on it.

I'm so excited you're starting Brothers Karamazov! Im HERE for the Dostoevesky diaries 😅. One of my best friends loves Catcher in the Rhye so much and is trying to get me to read it. Your sharing those passages has definitely increased my interest.

This is irrelevant to the books that were mentioned in this video. However, I really wanna recommend a book. I searched your goodreads account and I didn't see Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, so I assume you haven't read it. I think it's considered a Russian/Soviet classic(?) - since you say you wanna dive back into classics. It's REALLY GOOD! I don't think this is official, but it's kinda considered magic realism. I don't think my description will do the book any justice at all (so I'm not gonna try lol). but please go check it out if you have time :)

It might just be that I haven't read Dickens before but I honestly quite enjoyed a lot of David Copperfield. Not necessarily my kind of lit but I had a good time. I did also enjoy Catcher in the Rye a fair bit more than I did in high school though. Currently, however, I'm reading Orwell's The Road to Wigan Pier, and it's really excellent. A bit aimless structurally speaking, but still great.

Salinger's books are some of the best ever. Reading all of his works will make you feel wonderful.

I agree 100% with everything you said about both books! I'm loving this book club, watching you two discuss classics has been so fun because I love reading classics! I'm so excited for The Brothers Karamazov 😄

It's refreshing that you understood Holden that much on your first read I'm so tired of people calling this child who obviously has had traumatic experiences whiny. I agree with a lot of your interpretations and found your analysis interesting

I read the catcher in the raye in college (here in Brazil) and it's my favorite book! I'm so happy you're intrigued by it too

So excited for this series!

Had to read the Catcher in the Rye for final literature exam and it became one of the books that I forced myself to read through torture and suffering, but one thing that I did like about the story is the symbolism and metaphors throughout the book that deal with having to leave childhood behind and come to age though the process might be frightening to some people.

I loved Franny & Zooey by Salinger - there are similar themes. Definitely recommend 😊

Ok so now i really want to read Catcher in the rye!! ❤ but something sad and interesting about Alianza’s Spanish translation is that they say it changes completely the meaning of the story so I’m gonna have to look for a different edition and translation. Anyway, thank you for these beautiful and peaceful videos, Emma! ❤

I had never heard that people hated him so I was so surprised after reading it last year. I liked Holden and thought he was hilarious and relevant. I'm glad to hear that you like him too.

I’m so glad you loved Catcher. It’s one of my favourites and the hate this book cops just makes me sad.

I read The catcher in the rye years ago, but this video made me think that I might want to re-read it!

I cried my eyes out when you quoted Catcher in the Rye ❤

The Catcher is a amazing book.Salinger "catcher" all generation's feelings through this story.

Oh my! The Brothers Karamazov is also my May read!

I went into The Catcher in the Rye not expecting much, and then suddenly I realised I am hooked. There is so much to unpack in that book, I really don't understand all the hate it gets

omg i am so happy you loved tcitr ! i feel so validated rn

The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books! Glad you loved it! 😊

My brain: Emmie=classic aesthetic Classic aesthetic=Emmie❤

Early hehe. Love your videos about classics! I used Game of Tones as an excuse to finally start reading Orlando btw 😁😁

I was reading the cathcher in the rye as an e-book. I never thought i would like it but i am really enjoying it. After seeing both you and carolyn liked it, i have Just ordered the hardback copy. I wanna keep the book. I must have it.🤩

i am so interested with this books, i have watched you live and now i really want to reread this

Catcher in the Rye is my absolute fav ❤

I very nervous to watch this one because Catcher is my favorite novel and it seems to be a trend to hate in it lately on RU-vid. But I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s stuck with me through all these years and I’m in my thirties now.

The classic lit queen 👑 your skin looks amazing Emma

I feel like this book sounds like the male version of the bell jar. Like not exact, it’s not really fair to compare them, but I feel like they come from a similar place and experience of feelings.

I am so happy that you liked the catcher in the rye. It is my favourite book and reading a lot of negative reviews was infuriating. I am glad you have positive things to say about it. If you haven't read it yet read Franny and zooey too.

Nice to find out what the June book will be! I'll have to order that one.

Just getting caught up on your vlogs when I realized that you were getting around to reading one of my favorite books, "The Catcher in the Rye." There's this false dichotomy for the types of high school students who become adults, between those who discover Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". I think there's more and this includes the type of people who discovered Holden Caulfield when they were teenagers in high school, and who they became as adults. I was one of those students. I was the same age as Salinger's protagonist in "The Catcher in the Rye". I was also an avid reader of popular genre fiction but something changed upon reading "The Catcher in the Rye". The naturalistic tone of it. Holden's perception of his life and surroundings. The unintentionally humorous outlook mixed with the sudden bitterness and isolation. It felt like the first honest story that I had read. It made me want to expand my reading horizons. I wanted to find other voices, to see if they held other truths that I could not have known but also mirrored some of my own. "The Catcher in the Rye" made me want to read outside of the bestseller lists of what was popular and find things on my own.

So glad that you liked The Catcher in the Rye. First time reading it, I read the translation into my native language, which was a bad one imo. I re-read the book this April and it became an all time favorite.

Catcher has always been one of those books that I had no interest in but you might have changed my mind and convinced me to pick it now..

Thinking of starting a project reading Anthony Trollope's series.

I just got done reading catcher in the rye and immediately want to read it again. Gonna listen to the audiobook

Uriah Heep is also a rock band from London that's been around since 1969. They of course took the name from the character in David Copperfield.

Im rereading Kafka on the shore and Little life. Then i want to study Hamlet and Julius Caesar. And i want to complete Plato's Symposium. And complete Jane eyre. And start reading ULysses.

Hiii Emmie. Have been waiting for this one all day. It's 7 pm in my country🥺. Hope you have wonderful classics diaries. ❤

I have 2 response essays I have to finish in 2 days so that I can start another essay for another class💀so I'll listen to this in the background 😮‍💨

I like "Catcher." Read it a number of times.

Ooh I love Catcher in the Rye, going to reread it stat 😊

Hi Emmie. Currently on page 70 Brothers Karamazov. This book got me buying post-it’s for annotations and a notebook because I gotta keep up with all these Russian names and the book is packed with scenes I feel like I should not forget. So far, I’m loving it! I’m all for Dostoyevsky diaries. Yes please ❤

I've never read Catcher in the Rye. Always heard bad things about it. But you're inspiring me to pick it up. 😊

Your hair looks really good!

Emma you are GLOWING

TBR list updated ✅

I started “Rainbow” by Dave Lawrence for my classics kick. It’s pretty good so far!

I read catcher in the rye in HS. Now read it as a mother with a teenage son who also lost his little brother suddenly and traumatically, it hits different this time around. I can't wait until my son reads it in school, I wonder what his reaction will be. Holden and Jonah (my son) have the same vibe too....very interesting.

I just finished David Copperfield. The first half is a masterpiece, thoroughly. As we proceed the book turns episodic, and it seems evident to me that Dickens didn't want to leave it, he loved this work so much. As a result, for this reader, it goes on for too long. It is good, but the second half dwindles in interest. I would give it 4 stars. There are several noteworthy quotes in DC. Here are two: (1) "It has always been in my observation of human nature, that a man who has any good reason to believe in himself never flourishes himself before the faces of other people in order that they may believe in him." Chapter 48. (2) " ‘These are early days, Trot,’ she [Aunt Betsey] pursued, ‘and Rome was not built in a day, nor in a year. You have chosen freely for yourself’; a cloud passed over her face for a moment, I thought; ‘and you have chosen a very pretty and a very affectionate creature. It will be your duty, and it will be your pleasure too-of course I know that; I am not delivering a lecture-to estimate her (as you chose her) by the qualities she has, and not by the qualities she may not have. The latter you must develop in her, if you can. And if you cannot, child,’ here my aunt rubbed her nose, ‘you must just accustom yourself to do without ‘em. But remember, my dear, your future is between you two. No one can assist you; you are to work it out for yourselves. This is marriage, Trot; and Heaven bless you both, in it, for a pair of babes in the wood as you are!’ Chapter 44.

Sweet sweet Emmie, can you please make a video recommending audiobooks? Specially books that are in the Plus catalog on Audible? I struggle trying to find good titles there! (Besides the classics, of course)