I agree. It's almost become a cliche to be "too cool for Salinger", but Catcher is really his least compelling book, IMO. Nine Stories are amazing, and Franny and Zooey (particularly Franny) is fantastic.
I feel like Catcher is just taken way too seriously. its not a book that will give any deep life lesson, but its almost impossible not to view it as such. The rest of his stuff is great, though I am a sucker for stories that deal with the struggle for identity. Also Jewish American authors. If I was a woman it'd be my dream to marry a Jewish-American author. Right now my dream is to marry Emma Watson's pixie haircut.
Hmm, started reading some Philip Roth drunk last night. It definitely piqued my interest, will continue this quest sober today. What stops you from marrying a Jewish-American author?