The Great Gatsby

Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Rounded up to 4 stars

Summary: Nick Carroway moves into a small home in New York next to a large mansion owned by one Jay Gatsby. Nick gets involved in Gatsby's plan to reestablish contact and woo Nick's second cousin, Daisy Buchanan. The book highlights the American Dream, life in the roaring 20's, and the sometimes-hollow lifestyle 0f the wealthy and famous. Additionally, it highlights the impossibility of recapturing the past (and a little of how we often look to the past with rose-colored glasses).

Definitely not a page-turner until you start to understand what is happening. I am glad I reread this book when I was older and I can appreciate it more. I rated it highly, not because I am in love with the book itself, but rather I find it interesting as a social commentary. American society pushes such extreme messages of hard work, wealth, and individualism–the grind mentality–and this book makes one wonder if it's actually worth it in the end.