A Push to Ban Roald Dahl's, The Twits

 

Ugh, book banning seems to be at an all time high these days. It seems like one hears about book banning quite frequently on the news.

Recently, I watched the above video and learned that The Twits by Roald Dahl has been called out by an Australian academic. The Australian academic noted in the above video says The Twits encourages misogyny and anti-beard bias!!

I have not read The Twits, but have read other novels by Roald Dahl and enjoyed them.

I question whether The Twits truly encourages misogyny and anti-beard bias.

Banned Together Documentary

 

I recently watched a documentary called Banned Together. It's  about a group of public school students that ban together to protest removing certain books parents deem inappropriate for students under the age of eighteen.

Banned Together is excellent and documents the struggles to keep books in schools. 

In addition to seeing students speak up about their right to read freely, we also hear parents, teachers, authors, and politicians speak up about the removal of books from public schools.

I highly recommend Banned Together. It's gives a lot of information about what's going with regards to book banning in schools.

The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison

 

Earlier this month, I stumbled across The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison on Amazon. 

I love reading banned books. I also have a growing interest in tarot decks and learning to read tarot cards.

After a short deliberation, I decided to purchase The Banned Books Tarot Deck for myself based on my personal interests. Additionally, The Banned Books Tarot Deck was 50% off on Amazon with an additional coupon for more money off, which only made buying this deck that much sweeter.

So, what do I think of The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison? I am impressed with the fact that this deck comes in a hard box with magnetic closure vs the typical tuck box. This way the deck is more protected over the long haul by being stored inside a sturdy box. 

This deck also comes with a nice booklet that is way more informative than the standard 'Little White Book' (aka pamphlet) that normally comes with a tarot deck in a tuck box.

The Banned Books Tarot Deck is the standard tarot card size. It has a glossy finish and the card stock is decent. The cardstock isn't thick or thin, but has a middle of the road thickness. I love the designs on both the front and the back of each card in this tarot deck. 

My only complaint I have regarding The Banned Books Tarot Deck is that quite a few banned books are duplicated throughout the deck itself. I'm sure there are more than 78 banned books that exist. So, why not have a different banned book for each individual tarot card?

Below is a video I found on YouTube of a silent flip through for The Banned Books Tarot Deck. Check out the video if you're interesting to see what the entire deck looks like.

I am giving The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Actress Julianne Moore's Children's Book, FreckleFace Strawberry, Has Been Banned in Some Schools!!

 

Goodness, I didn't even know that actress, Julianne Moore, had even written a children's book! Freckleface Strawberry was published around 20 years ago and is about a young girl coming to terms with her freckles.

Freckleface Strawberry is being cited as inappropriate for children in military schools per Donald Trump's hardline views on what's appropriate for young children to read. The reason's for the book being pulled from military schools sounds like sheer nonsense!!

I do not understand Trump's lunacy for banning books. The very far right conservatives are trying to take us back to the 1950s. I'm sure of it.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

An Independent Bookstore in San Francisco, California Takes a Stand on Banned Books!

 

I love these types of news stories where

independent bookstores help promote reading in

all 50 states when it comes to marginalized communities!!

Banned books should not be happening here in the USA.

Beaufort, SC, Bans Five Books From School Shelves!

 

I admit that I don't understand the reasoning behind the majority of school/library book banning that parents (or the community at large) want to impose. 

I am against book banning. Students, or the rest of population for that matter, should be able to access to and be able to read all sorts of material any time they want.

I understand that not everyone agrees with my opinion and that's okay. Parents have the right to decide how to raise their own children and what their children have access to (ie books, etc.). I strongly advocate for parental rights. However, I DO NOT AGREE with the idea that a single parent or a small, select group of parents decide what is best for all children to read. 

If a parent doesn't want their children to read certain books from their school or public library, then they ave a right to limit what their child has access to from the school or public library. BUT don't ruin it for someone else's child by having the book banned because you don't agree that the book should be available to all children. That's what I mostly have issue with.

Words Can Be DANGEROUS!! Banned Books. Plus, a Banned Book Museum!

 

Did you know there is a Banned Books Museum in Tallinn, Estonia? Well, I didn't know this factoid until watching a fabulous video created and posted on RobWords's YouTube Channel two nights ago! The Banned Book Museum also hosts a monthly banned books club where they read and discuss a banned book virtually via Zoom, which sounds pretty cool if you ask me.

I've become a fan of RobWords YouTube Channel and am a recent subscriber to the channel. The RobWords YouTube Channel is dedicated to language facts and etymology fun.

Anyway, I enjoy reading banned books. I also enjoy learning why certain books have been banned. And, of course, learning about a banned book museum in the above video also make for an educational experience as well. If these topics are of interest to you too, then please check out the above YouTube video... The video is just under 18 minutes in length.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Happy Banned Books Week!

Each year, I read at least one banned/challenged book... And I may or may not read the particular banned/challenged book I choose during Banned Books Week.

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, which was published 50 years ago in 1972.  It was the first time I'd read Bless Me, Ultima and I am so glad that I did as it was so much more than I imagined it would be. I gave Bless Me, Ultima 5 stars out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

According to Wikipedia, Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya was  challenged for the following reasons:

Owing to what some consider adult language, violent content, and sexual references, Bless Me, Ultima is often the target of attempts to restrict access to the book and was therefore placed on the list of most commonly challenged books in the U.S. in 2013.[9] However, in the last third of the twentieth century, the novel has initiated respect for Chicano literature as an important and nonderivative type of American literature among academics.

Below is a YouTube video of Rudolfo Anaya discussing his novel, Bless Me, Ultima.

How are you celebrating Banned Books Week this year? Have you read any banned or challenged books this year? Additionally, have you read Bless Me, Ultima? If so, what did you think of it?

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie Buddy-Read/Read-Along Hosted by Let's Read & Words and Peace

 

During the month of November 2021, Marianne @ Let's Read & Emma @ Words and Peace are hosting a Buddy-Read/Read-Along for Salman Rushdie's novel, The Satanic Verses.

I've never read The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie before, but I am quite aware of the controversy that this novel caused shortly after its release/publication in 1988.

I've finally decided to read The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie to discover if it lives up to the hype... Or at least see what all of the fuss is all about surrounding it. At the very least, I'll have other readers to discuss The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie with next month, which should be loads of fun!

Below is the reading schedule set by Marianne @ Let's Read & Emma @ Words and Peace.

1. November 1st: introductory post

2. Between November 8-12: questions + answers on the first 23% of the book (up to end of PART II. Stop before "Ellowen Deeowen")

3. Between Nov 15-19: questions + answers on the second quarter of the book (up to 46%, up to "Not I: another. Who?")

4. Between Nov 22-26: questions + answers on the third quarter of the book (up to 69:, up to "but in the low light of the tent it was impossible to be sure")

5. Between Nov 29-December 3: last quarter of the book and conclusion questions

So grab a copy of The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie and join us for The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie Buddy-Read/Read-Along!

Do you have questions about this Buddy-Read/Read-Along hosted by the ladies from Let's Read & Words and Peace? Then please reach out to either Marianne or Emma by clicking on one of the links above to be taken to either Marianne's blog or Emma's blog.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

 

I finished listening to the unabridged audio version of Animal Farm by George Orwell narrated by Ralph Cosham. 

Listening time Animal Farm by George Orwell is 3 hours, 11 minutes.

This year marked the 75th anniversary of the publication of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Since I'd never read this important work of fiction, I thought I'd better go ahead and make the time to read Animal Farm and I'm glad that I read (or rather listened) to this novel.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a short, powerful read and well read by Ralph Cosham. I really enjoyed the preface to Animal Farm as it was a nice introduction to this important work.

I enjoyed the writing, storyline/plot developement and characters as well for Animal Farm by George Orwell. It's a chilling tale of how totalitarianism is a game changer in the worst sort of way! Betrayal in the worst kind of way ends this novella.

I've also learned that Animal Farm by George Orwell has been a banned book as well!

Below is the plot summary for Animal Farm by George Orwell from Audible:

George Orwell's classic satire of the Russian Revolution is an intimate part of our contemporary culture, quoted so often that we tend to forget who wrote the original words. It is an account of the bold struggle that transforms Mr. Jones' Manor Farm into Animal Farm, a wholly democratic society built on the credo that All Animals Are Created Equal. Out of their cleverness, the pigs Napoleon, Squealer, and Snowball emerge as leaders of the new community in a subtle evolution that bears an insidious familiarity. The climax is the brutal betrayal of the faithful horse Boxer, when totalitarian rule is re-established with the bloodstained postscript to the founding slogan: But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others.

I am giving Animal Farm by George Orwell a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading! 

George by Alex Gino

 

BE WHO YOU ARE. 

I read George by Alex Gino for Banned Books Week 

last month as this middle school

novel has been the number one banned book in recent years.

George by Alex Gino is a phenomenal novel!

The writing is marvelous, poignant, and timely. 

The storyline is very engaging.

I love the characters for this novel.

George by Alex Gino deals with LGBTQ themes.

In fact, many of the top ten most recently challenged books

have LGBTQ themes to them.

Below is the summary for George by Alex Gino from Goodreads:

BE WHO YOU ARE. When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte—but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

I am giving George by Alex Gino a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

I read Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson this week for Banned Books Week. This is the third young adult novel I've read by Laurie Halse Anderson and as usual, her writing is powerful, emotional, and phenomenal! I've also read and reviewed Speak and Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson.

With that said, I found Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson to be a difficult novel to read. In fact, Wintergirls is my least favorite novel by the author to date as I found it to be too raw and depressing. Wintergirls deals with anorexia, bulimia, and cutting/self-mutilation.

According to an article I discovered on the Penguin Teen website titled, 10 Books to Celebrate During Banned Books Week, Wintergirls has been banned because it "has been said to be like a 'guide' for teens who want to starve themselves, and possibly triggering for those who have suffered."

Below is the plot summary for Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson from Amazon:

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.I am that girl.I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

I am giving Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Graphic Novel - Hardback Edition

I decided to read Drama by Raina Telgemeier for Banned Books Week this year as I learned that Drama made the top ten list for most banned book in 2017! This graphic novel for young adults was banned due to LBGQT characters in the book.

I read Drama by Raina Telgemeier in a few hours. I loved the storyline, the characters, and the color artwork found in Drama by Raina Telgemeier. There wasn't much I didn't like about this graphic novel and I really can't understand why it was banned at all.

The following is the plot summary for Drama by Raina Telgemeier from Amazon:

From Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile and Sisters!

Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing. Instead she's the set designer for the drama department's stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!

Below is a book trailer for Drama by Raina Telgemeier:

I am giving Drama by Raina Telgemeier a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Unabridged Audio Version

I've had the paperback copy of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote sitting on my bookshelf the past six years, ten months waiting to be read... I finally decided I should read this nonfiction book, but I decided to listen to the audio version from Audible instead of reading it.

I enjoyed listening to the unabridged audio version of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and narrated by Scott Brick. Listening time for In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is 14 hours, 27 minutes.

I really thought that Truman Capote's writing of In Cold Blood was really well done. Even though In Cold Blood is a work of nonfiction, it almost feels like one is reading a novel. In other words, In Cold Blood is very readable. I enjoyed how Truman Capote writes about the lives of the murderers, the victims, and the rural community in Holcomb, Kansas in alternating fashion while seaming together the events in a captivating narrative that grips the reader from the start through to the very end.

If you love true crime books, In Cold Blood is a must read! According to information I obtained from Wikipedia, "In Cold Blood was an instant success, and today is the second-biggest-selling true crime book in publishing history, behind Vincent Bugliosi's 1974 book Helter Skelter about the Manson murders."

I also discovered through the American Library Association website, that In Cold Blood has been a banned book because:

Banned, but later reinstated after community protests at the Windsor Forest High School in Savannah, Ga. (2000). The controversy began in early 1999 when a parent complains about sex, violence, and profanity in the book that was part of an Advanced Placement English Class. Source: 2004 Banned Books Resource Guide by Robert P. Doyle.

Additionally, I also thought that Scott Brick did a really good job narrating In Cold Blood.

The following is the publisher's summary of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote from Audible:

On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.

As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.

I am giving In Cold Blood by Truman Capote a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Banned Book Weeks Socks!!

I love reading banned or challenged books. I try to read at least one banned or challenged book each year. This year, I've read two banned/challenged that I can recall off hand. 

I also love literary/bookish related items to add to my personal collection of all things book related. While attending an author event and signing at an independent bookstore earlier this week, I saw a cute pair of banned books socks by the cash wrap area when purchasing a book. The socks are black and white and are completely adorable!! I couldn't resist buying a pair of them. I look forward to wearing the banned books socks later this month during Banned Books Week, which will be held during the week of September 25 through October 1, 2016.

The socks cost $10 and can be purchased online through Out of Print Clothing. On the packaging for the socks it reads: "Every purchase donates one book to a community in need." I like that books are being donated to communities in need. Literacy is important and so is access to books and periodicals.

There are also other banned books themed items for sale through the Out of Print Clothing website. Check out the fun items that can be found on their website.

Until my next post, happy reading!! 

Forever By Judy Blume

Paperback Edition

For Banned Books Week 2015 (September 27 through October 3rd) this year, I chose to read Forever by Judy Blume. Forever marks the third Judy Blume book I've read this year. 

I never read any of Judy Blume's novels when I was a youngster, even though they were extremely popular among kids my age back in the day. So, I guess you can say I am reading a few of Ms. Blume's novels now that I am an adult to see what I missed out on when I was a kid.

The following is a plot summary for Forever by Judy Blume that I discovered on Goodreads:

There's a first for everything.

When you build up something in your mind -- really imagine it, wish for it -- sometimes, when it actually happens, it doesn't live up to your expectations. 

True love is nothing like that.

Especially not for Katherine and Michael, who can't get enough of each other. Their relationship is unique: sincere, intense, and fun all at the same time. Although they haven't been together all that long, they know it's serious. A whole world opens up as young passion and sexuality bloom.

But it's senior year of high school, and there are big changes ahead. Michael and Katherine are destined for another big "first": a decision. Is this the love of a lifetime, or the very beginning of a lifetime of love?

I am glad that I read Forever by Judy Blume. The following themes are brought up in Forever: teen aged sex, losing one's virginity, birth control, teen pregnancy, abortion, first love, etc. Basically, just about all the hot topics one can imagine that are hot topics to discuss with teenagers.

For the most part, I liked Forever by Judy Blume as I think the topics touched upon in the novel are important ones for young adults to read about and discuss.

I liked most of the characters in Forever, especially Kathrine, the leading character... The character I liked the least is her boyfriend, Michael, as I thought he was really immature at times and too pushy about wanting sex with Kathrine. Yes, I know teenage boys are portrayed as horny teenagers only wanting sex, but come on, really, are all teenage boys only horny for sex??

Some other things seemed questionable to me... Like, 18 year olds in Forever being able to legally drink alcohol at aged 18 years old when the legal drinking age in the USA is 21 years old. I'd think that the story would want to keep with what is actually going on in society to be credible. Also, Katherine's parents didn't seem to have an issue with her hanging out with her boyfriend, Michael, alone in their house unsupervised... I don't know, but if I were a parent to a high school student, I wouldn't want them to be alone together unsupervised thinking that they may have sex. I don't have issues with sex, but am concerned about unsafe sex and teenage pregnancy among young adults. And a few other things I had issue with as well.

Forever is a young adult novel that has been banned for the following reasons according to the Censorship & Judy Blume on Weebly: 

Frequency of sexual activity and sexual descriptions
Use of “four-letter” words
Does not promote abstinence
Does not promote monogamous relationships
Demoralized marital sex
Disobedience to parents is shown
Talks about masturbation
Talks about birth control
Sexuality
Lack of moral tone
Sexual passages inappropriate for young people

I am giving Forever by Judy Blume a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Which banned book or books did you read during Banned Books Week?

Frequently Banned Books Written By Female Writers

With Banned Books Week coming up later this month, I couldn't resist sharing an article I stumbled upon earlier this week on Bustle's website regarding banned books. The article is titled 11 Frequently Banned Books By Female Writers That You Absolutely Cannot Miss by Blaire Perel. In her article, Blaire Perel writes:

There’s one upside to book-banning: it’s that kind of like anything-banning, the more you take something away, the more people want it. Is it the danger? The mystery? (The ridiculousness of a book being banned in the first place?) Whatever it is, reading banned books is a fantastic idea. Not only are you telling those who are pro-censorship that you’re not going to take any of their BS, but you also just might get a little thrill from getting your paws on the prohibited.

But the question remains: Which author to choose? Unfortunately, so many books have been banned, called "vulgar,”“inappropriate,” and “offensive,” that picking a title from the banned-book pile isn’t an easy feat. It even turns out that Maya Angelou, a writer who is beloved by so many, holds the dubious distinction of the most banned author in America. In 1983, Angelou was accused of harboring “a bitterness and hatred toward whites” by members of the Alabama committee that approves schools texts. (Apparently the Pulitzer Prize board missed that when nominating her work. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Quite a few of the book titles mentioned in Blaire Perel's article I have never even heard of before. I have, however, heard of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, which I read last month and really enjoyed reading. Now I have more banned books written by female writers to add to my reading wishlist. I also hope you have some new book titles to add to your reading list as well.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Hardback Edition

I initially chose to read Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi for the following reasons:

1. Graphic novels are ones that I don't normally read... So in an effort to read more graphic novels, I selected Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi to read as it sounded like an interesting book.

2. I am also interested in learning more about other cultures that I am not that familiar with and Iran is certainly a country I do not know very much about... Or what it might be like to grow up in their culture.

3. I've also learned that Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi has been a banned/challenged book. and since I am participating in the 2015 Banned Book Reading Challenge, I thought this would be a perfect book for the 2015 Banned Book Reading Challenge.

The following is a plot summary for Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi from Amazon's website:

Originally published to wide critical acclaim in France, where it elicited comparisons to Art Spiegelman's Maus, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's wise, funny, and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran: of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. Marjane’s child's-eye-view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.

So, what did I like about Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi? I loved the artwork in this particular graphic novel, as it's really well done. However, the writing is way too small, so I had to use a magnifier to read most of the dialogue throughout the entire book, which sucked to say the least!

I loved the character of young Marjane in Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. It must have been difficult growing up during the Islamic Revolution. I found it interesting to read how a young person deals with and views a revolution. I look forward to reading the second book in the series titled Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi.

I am giving Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars. Until my next post, happy reading!!