'Blue Moon' both humorous and clever

Before I start a book, I always read the back of the bookcover first to get a deep insight and a preview of what the book will be like. I seem to judge a book by its cover and title, and the title "Blue Moon" with literally a blue moon on the cover made me wonder about it. This book was related as a modern day reminder of "Catcher in the Rye." I thought to myself that since I enjoyed "Catcher in the Rye" so much, I had high hopes that I would enjoy this book as well. I was very curious about what this book would be like. \nFor the first part of the book, it was kind of like "Catcher in the Rye" -- a lonely man trying to find his place in the world. Yet the second part had nothing to do with the infamous novel. "Blue Moon" was a very interesting novel, about a 32-year-old man who travels from Chicago to Jamaica searching for love, life and happiness. \nRon Erhands, the author of the book and an IU Alumnus, creates a character by the name of Seth Gold. He is a man with a witty sense of humor, which reminded me of some of my best friends. He would make remarks that would have me laughing at my desk, and I even found myself cracking up on the train after work one night. After receiving several odd-looking glances from people, I continued to bury my head into the book and read on to see what other situations he would get into next. From telling off his family (and religion nevertheless) at the Passover Seder to fighting off Jamaican drug dealers. \nThis book was a getaway from the world. Before I knew it, I was at my destination or my lunch hour was up. \nYet, I found an issue that I struggled to deal with. The back cover said "a modern day reminder of 'Catcher in the Rye.'" The book was cut into two parts. The first part of the book was exactly like a modern day "Catcher in the Rye." If I had not read the back cover, then I probably never would have compared the two books. Although, as I thought about it more, I could see how it was related. In fact, as I continued to read through the first half of the book, the more I felt it was too much like "Catcher in the Rye." When reading "Blue Moon," I felt as if I should read a page of "Catcher," I would read almost the exact same thing if I read a page of "Blue Moon," only changed a little with an older main character and set in the present day. \nThe second part of the book was nothing like the first part. Seth decided to leave everything he owned in Chicago and move to Jamaica where he was confronted with dangerous drug issues and true love. Since it was set in Jamaica, I longed to be at the beach every time the narrator mentioned the ocean, the sand or the weather. In the second half, the main action of the drama sank in. I felt it was a little late in the book to start the main plot; it drew you away from the early points of the book. In fact, when I finished it, I wondered about all the other things the character left behind in Chicago. \nThis book was filled with clever writing and witty humor that kept me in remembrance of my friends. Sometimes when I don't think my day can get any worse, I just need to remember some of the days this guy endured. \nErhands beautifully personified every detail about each city and person. Seth came across creating a clear picture in my head. I recommend this book to those who enjoyed "Catcher in the Rye" and encourage people to read it to learn lessons in life and love. \nThe best things in life are often done at the spur of the moment. It happened for Seth.