"Start with a nice one to lead us into the nihilism/existentialism. One of my favourite books: is, quite simply, "lovely". Ideal for a whimsical teen."
"Onto the rejection of/from society stuff now. J'adore Camus. Does the protag have a soul? Does it matter? What is living if death is inevitable? A lot is in these 118 pages. The sort of book I love."
"Here we go... I love the beats. I can't help it. I think it's an obligatory youth thing. The plus 30s just don't understand... Now let us follow Dean Moriarty to Frisco."
"Kafka is a staple for us faux-intellectual adolescents. Prominent themes being rejection from society (everyone's against you as a teenager) due to things beyond your control: turning into an insect."
"Onto full disaffection now. Too much cocaine+ too much money + too much sunshine = disillusioned youngsters who subconciously yearn for the simpler times. B.E.E: simulatneously satirical and sad."
"Complusory reading for all aged 15-25. Basically plotless: but who needs plot when you have a suitcase full of narcotics? Hilarious and disturbing, with occasional philosophical musings. Occasionally."
"Right. Well. Yes. Burroughs, fondly regarded as the "creepy uncle" of the Beats, goes all out with this abstract novel. Disgusting: yes. Insightful: I would say so. A thought provoking "Experience""
"Go on: Reject Catholicism! Awaken Sexually! Write poetry! This is the most literary Coming-Of-Age story there is... it's "well good." High-brow teen angst & discussions on religion & art... excellent"
"Murakami: titan of today's disaffected with more literary leanings. This is perhaps his most accessible, but still my favourite. All about the choice between the old and new... growing up, basically.."
"Lucid memories, hazy nostalgia, fixations on the beauty of youth gone by... or dead. Love it. Embodies the pains of adolescence, but in an unconventional way."
"Oh that intellectual angst. It really does get to you. This is probably my all time favourite book, just because there are so many "I know exactly what you're talking about" moments."
"Teen rebellion. It can get out of control sometimes, can't it? In which case reform is necessary - but is reform that takes away choice still reform? Who can say? Let's discuss it."
"Sylvia Plath appeals to the young. The direct, sharpness of her poetry resonates with them, and this book is another to be thoroughly identified with, but perhaps minus the suicide attempts."
"Really, it's the ultimate. Holden Caulfield will always be the poster boy for teenage disaffection. Swap "phonies" for "mainstreamers" and he could be a 21st century alt youth."
