Foer, with his book, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, pulled me in, made me smile, made my heart ache, and made me think. He tells the story of Oscar, a boy of many talents and unique views on life, who is faced with grief after the death of his father in the attacks of September 11th. Oscar is a boy that I wish I could meet in person because I just know I'd learn a lot from him. He is honest, logical, tender, creative, and highly intelligent. It is clear that Foer is excellent in creating his characters and getting the reader to connect, whether it be a connection to the main character, Oscar, characters that Oscar met, or Oscar's family. I felt a connection to them all, each in a different way. 
 This book has now become a favorite of mine for many reasons. The first being Jonathan Safran Foer's unique way of making me endure every feeling on the spectrum, from joy to sadness. He did it in a way that no audiobook can capture. His use of images, color, spacing, text, and even emptiness was more powerful than I had expected. The title of the book alone speaks volumes. Since everything is extremely loud and incredibly close when someone you love dies. Everything is confusing, scary, and messy. At times, when I read the book, if felt messy or disorganized. Yet, as I read more I realized that it was organized disorganization, if that makes sense. The author wrote it that way for a reason, to make us readers feel what Oscar felt. The title also addresses the event that took Oscar's father from him. At least that's how I see it. 
 I had wanted to read this book for some time, as I had heard really great things about it. I, like many, remember where I was when those two towers were hit and when many lives perished because of it. I was in Social Studies class in the town I grew up in just two hours north of New York City. When the first tower was hit our teacher brought in a television and turned on the news. We then, as a class, watched the next tower get hit. Everything was confusing and scary. I think this is exactly how Oscar felt but 100 times that. 
 I finally did pick up the book because I saw a trailer for the movie, which is to be released January of 2012. I'm glad that I did pick it up. As a result I have learned and felt many things. I learned that there are so many ways to approach writing and Foer is a great example of one, and a way that is "incredibly" unique. I recommend this book and if I were to compare it to anything I would say that Oscar reminded me of the young boy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. They both had a unique view on life and one that can open the minds of others and teach many. I encourage you to read this book, indulge, learn, and feel what Oscar felt, as it will make you reflect on your own life, and isn't that a sign of a great book?!