Nine Stories (J.D. Salinger, 1953)

Book club selection (via Nick P; November 16, 2015)

I too seldom read short stories - and never read Salinger - so this was time well spent.  But I think I will continue to avoid short stories - for whatever reason, I find the format limiting, or frustrating, or whatever; probably it's just me.

The "Laughing Man" story was highly creative.

The "Banana Fish" story was compelling but I would have liked to see it developed a bit further. Gave an insight into the challenges of the returning vet.

"For Esme - With Love and Squalor" - very effective, perhaps because it was a more traditional style of story-telling?

Good stuff.

The Code of the Woosters (PG Wodehouse, 1938)

I keep seeing the most positive reviews of Wodehouse, but so far haven't been moved to read his works.

While I don't expect to spend a lot of time with Wodehouse - I will say that this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I can really see why he is popular.  Incredible skill in telling the stories here.

Main characters:  Bertie Wooster and his (marvelous) valet, Jeeves.  They run into all sorts of difficulties and - primarily through Jeeves's ingenuity - come out on top.

The author's facility with the English language was consistently pleasurable if not amazing.  I read a lot, and don't run into this kind of thing.  Constantly expecting him to say something other than what appears on the page.  Nice.