Banned Books Week

September 26, 201110 Comments

This week is ALA’s Banned Book Week Virtual Read Out.

September 24−October 1, 2011

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

I don’t really understand banning books and am proud of all the organizations that stand up to any kind of censorship. Here’s a link to the 100 most challenged books from 2000-2009. Here are the 5 I understand the least.

1. The Harry Potter series – it’s fiction, people. It’s okay to tell young girls that a Prince will come rescue them or his kiss can break a spell by an evil witch and yet we can’t appreciate a story full of magic and courage?

2. To Kill a Mockingbird – Seriously, a story that teaches kids to stand up for right against wrong, no matter public sentiment, is dangerous?

3. Fahrenheit 452 – This book isn’t a favorite of mine but it is funny that a book about society’s loss of books and free thought should end up on this list.

4. A Time to Kill – The racial storyline is here as is the courtroom scenes about standing up for what’s right even at the risk of personal harm make it controversial like TKAM? I don’t know. Weird.

5. Bridge to Terabithia – Kids may be upset by the death, but this is one that could bring parents into a real conversation with their kids. Scary, right?

So, which one on the list surprises you the most?

Sundays with Gage -Walking with Grandpa

September 25, 201113 Comments

Last week I wrote a post patting myself on the back for having completed the 100 Mile Challenge. That was nothing. Yesterday, Gage was able to participate in a Grandpa milestone.

My dad had a heart attack and bypass surgery when he was 37. That’s two years younger than I am now. I’m not sure he changed much about his lifestyle, still smoked and ate the same stuff, until he was 53. Then he decided to quit smoking and his doctor said he’d have to keep himself busy. Well, he did. In May of 2000 he walked 34 miles and on September 24th he completed his 30,000th mile. He only remembers about 4 days in those years where he didn’t walk at all, when he had stents put in his heart years ago. I don’t know how many tennis shoes, socks or umbrellas he’s gone through, but let’s just say a lot.

If we do the math that means he averaged over 221 miles per month for 136 months straight.

Gage ‘s Grandpa showed him that it’s never too late to take charge of your health and that completing a goal is often as easy as having a streak of stubbornness. My dad walked the first half of the momentous mile with my cousin Bill and then drove up here so he could finish the mile with Gage. Someday soon Gage will be able to take walks with his Grandpa where I’m sure lots of grandfatherly wisdom will be passed on. He is lucky to have such a great grandfather.

Skinny Legs and All, by Tom Robbins

September 22, 201110 Comments

Finished 9-19-11, rating 3.5/5, fiction, 422 pages, pub. 1990

It was a bright, defrosted, pussy-willow day at the onset of spring, and the newlyweds were driving cross-country in a large roast turkey.

The turkey lay upon its back, as roast turkeys will; submissive, agreeable, volunteering its breast to the carving blade, its roly-poly legs cocked in a stiff but jaunty position, as if it might summon the gumption to spring forward onto its feet, but of course, it had no feet, which made the suggestion seem both empty and ridiculous, and only added to the turkey’s aura of goofy vulnerability.

Opening paragraphs

Boomer loves Ellen Cherry and he makes her a turkey RV to prove it. She falls for it and marries him. They escape small town Virginia and head west for a time before settling in New York City so Ellen Cherry can pursue her career as an artist. Only it’s not Ellen Cherry that becomes the star, it’s Boomer and his turkey RV.

This sounds like a simple storyline, but it is full of crazy people, and, well, utensils, canned goods, clothing, and objects of nature. Yes, there is secondary storyline where a stick and shell are trying to make their way back to Jerusalem after hundreds of years in American exile. And they receive help from a spoon, sock, and can of beans. And there’s also Uncle Buddy, who is trying to start World War III in Israel so that Jesus will return.

It is quirky and the writing is fun and smile-worthy. As far as the story, well, I wasn’t all that interested. It took me way too long to get through this one to recommend it. And I really did not like the last part of the book, lots of personal views just thrown out there with zero to do with the story. I don’t care about Robbins’ enlightened views of money, government, or religion.

I expected to enjoy it more and wonder if it’s where I am in life right now. I don’t have huge chunks of time to read and maybe the 20-30 minutes a few times a week weren’t enough to make this one work. Or maybe I have mommy brain 🙂 I know I need to keep reading or it will go to mush! I might give Robbins another try in a few years.

This is from my personal library and was chosen by Carol and Mille. Here’s what they had to say…

“Don’t expect profundity; it’s more of a play date for the mind, or a hot chocolate and blanket on a grumpy day kind of book.” Mille

“Because I love Tom Robbins.” Carol

Emma, by Jane Austen

September 21, 201119 Comments

Finished audio 9-12-11, rating 3/5, fiction, pub. 1815

Unabridged audio. 15 1/2 hours. Read by Nadia May

Emma Woodehouse is a spoiled English lady who enjoys high prominence in Highbury. She fills her time by trying to improve people’s lives, her current victim, young, impressionable Harriet believes Emma when she tells her to set her sights high. Emma is spurned in her attempts to help Harriet and she also faces a good deal of criticism from her old friend, Mr. Knightley.

This is my fourth Austen novel and my least favorite so far. I just couldn’t muster any sympathy for Emma. She thought very highly of herself even if she did seem to realize her shortcomings by the end. The end just couldn’t come fast enough for me. There wasn’t much a story to keep my interest either. It all seemed like an aimless walk through the park without much to look at. Mr. Knightley as a hero was the saving grace since he seemed to call Emma on her self-importance, but there wasn’t enough of him to save the book for me.

I know Austen fans might tell me I missed the subtle humor, the subtext. And they would be correct.

This is from my personal library and was chosen by Candice, Jennifer, MsMazzola, Alita, Kathrin, and Wendy. Here’s what they had to say…

“Everyone should read Austen.” MsMazzola

“One of my favourite books and Emma Woodhouse is a brilliant character and this book is begging to be read.” Jennifer

Beginnings Quiz – guessing closed

September 20, 2011September 26, 201116 Comments

Border’s is finally closed and it is a good thing for my overpacked bookshelves. It became a fun trip for Gage and I to go and browse every few days and I’m embarrassed by how many books I brought home. All you need to do is tell me which book matches which first lines. Oh, I added a few extra books for fun 🙂

Please play along with us. For everyone who plays an extra $ goes to the winner and the everyone is entered for a special prize. Just leave a comment with your guesses and don’t google the answers.

Rules & Leaderboard here. Last week’s Pictured Title Quiz here.

1. Half my life ago, I killed a girl. Half a Life

2. For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in town. Practical Magic

3. Alone in the evenings, when the light had drained from the slate roof of her small rural home, and when her husband was working late, Mary Gooch would perform a striptease for the stars at the open bedroom window: shifting out of rumpled bottoms, slipping off a blousy top, liberating breasts, peeling panties, her creamy flesh spilling forth until she was completely, exquisitely nude. The Wife’s Tale

4. Tonight I’ve been thinking about the mosaic Hope gave me the night she U-hauled ass out of Pineville. Sloppy Firsts

5. “I suppose the important thing is to make some sort of difference,” she said. One Day

6. You know, Doc, you’re not the first shrink I’ve seen since I got back. Still Missing

7. Once my wife asked me: if you knew this was our final day together, what would you say to me? Adrenaline

8. She hadn’t believed in monsters since she was six years old, back when her mom would check the closet and look beneath her bed at night. Sworn to Silence

9. Now I am here, in Krakow, where my life began. Sonata fo Miriam

10. Gracie Lynne Calloway began her small life in Shady Grove, Alabama, fast asleep in a coal bucket on the front porch of 1854 Peachtree Lane. Salting Roses

11. I wasn’t surprised when Mama askked me to save her life. The Murderer’s Daughters

12. Why I feel the sudden urge to relate, in pen and ink, a relationship of the most personal nature, which I have never before acknowledged, I cannot say. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

Sundays with Gage- Privacy

September 18, 201125 Comments

I remember a friend telling me when I first told her I was pregnant that I would get used to the uncomfortable doctor visits and by the time the baby arrived that I would have no shame and wouldn’t care who was looking or poking and prodding or where. She was mostly right. And I know that last illusion of privacy, the bathroom, is one that I will probably not get to appreciate again for many years. But, if someone were to watch me sleep I am sure I would be appalled. I am a light sleeper, which is great now that Gage is here. I am never still for very long (I’m guessing) and I know I snore occasionally (yuck).

Now that we’ve started watching Gage’s video monitor like it’s reality tv I feel a little guilty. When he wasn’t moving around much it was great to see that he was okay, but now that he’s moving around more I see that he sleeps a lot like his mother. Poor kid. But he’s also bendy like his dad, yay 🙂 A few shots will show you just how much fun it can be to watch him from the comfort of your own bed. These were taken over the course of one night.

Do you think he’s got the camera figured out? The video monitor is a wonderful thing for parents but I’ve also come to rely on it and feel nervous when I can’t see him. What did you all do before monitors? I think sometimes that I might get a better night’s sleep!

A Challenge Completed

September 16, 2011September 16, 201111 Comments

I finally finished my first challenge of the year, the 100 Miles Fitness Challenge!! Woo Hoo! I actually finished my 100 miles with 2 weeks to spare. So, far this walking has not translated into weight loss, but I’m okay with that.

I don’t sign up for challenges expected not to complete them. I tend to push myself to get them done. With Gage around this year I chose only a few challenges to try to think I have a good chance of finishing them all, except for the States challenge. I still have a lot of states to get through and this is my 3rd year trying this one and I’d love to complete it. If you’d like to recommend a short book for any of the states I have left I will send you lots of virtual hugs 🙂 My challenge list here.

BBAW-Reading & Blogging

September 15, 201115 Comments

I have been too busy (and forgetful) to participate in BBAW week this year, but thought I’d do at least one post. I combined today’s topic with the meme. Visit BBAW for other posts on these topics.

Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? Choose any one of these topics and share your thoughts today!

When I started blogging in January 2008, my intent was to talk about the books I read and anything bookish that tickled my fancy. I had only read 40 books the year before and wanted to read more. It took me a while to find the book blogging community. I didn’t seek it out. I did happen across Kathy (Bermudaonion) after a while and then started finding all the other great book blogs out there. I was/am a lover of romances, mysteries, and classics, but other bloggers have encouraged me to read more mainstream fiction, chick lit. It seems the blogging community has embraced the YA genre and I try to read one or two a year that appeal to me, but that is one genre I haven’t completely fallen in love with.

I have met so many wonderful people through this blog. I wish I had more time to email or tweet to further those relationships, but I try my best to visit their blogs and comment often. I’m terrible at responding to comments left on my posts but I read andlove each one. I just don’t have the time to respond and visit other blogs too.

My wish list, thanks to other book bloggers, is 20 pages long!

Today’s it’s all about the creativity. We have this fabulous reading meme for you below and all you have to do? Pick ONE or answer them all in as few words as possible! Be creative, have fun, stand out! That’s all!

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack? Not really, unless wine counts 🙂
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? Depends on the book. Some books just beg to marked.
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open? Whatever is available, even dog-ears.
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Mostly fiction. I usually read to escape reality.
Hard copy or audiobooks? Both.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? At this point, I often read in minutes spurts here and there. I don’t often have the luxury of reading to the end of the chapter!
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? No.
What are you currently reading? Skinny Legs & All, Mists of Avalon, Invitation (Deveraux), listening to Roots
What is the last book you bought? I picked up 7 a few days ago at Border’s. They blend in with all of the other books I’ve brought home from Border’s in the past month!
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? See above.
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? Anytime I can catch a few minutes. At the gym or when Gage sleeps.
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? Both
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? Harlan Coben, Elizabeth Berg, A Confederacy of Dunces.
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) Currently, a series bookshelf, books read, books to read and signed books bookshelves all alphabetized.

Big Stone Gap, by Adriana Trigiani

September 14, 2011January 6, 201211 Comments

Finished 9-9-11, rating 5/5, fiction, 269 pages, pub. 2000

Book 1 of the Big Stone Gap series.

She’s our starlet, so all the girls seek her approval and imitate her. Tayloe gives them a standard, a marker by which to judge themselves. Other skills and attributes can be appreciated and duly noted, but beauty is instantly obvious to all. I have never met a girl (including myself) who did not long to be beautiful, who did not pray for her own potential to reveal itself. When a girl is beautiful, she gets to pick-she never has to wait for someone to choose her. There is so much power in doing the choosing.

Chapter 2

Ave Maria has lived in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, her whole life. She’s the town pharmacist and amateur director, but she never really feels like she belongs. Her mother was from Italy and her father was distant and now that they are both dead she’s just passing time with regular visits to the bookmobile and nights out with her best friend, Theodore. When a letter from the grave rocks the status quo, Ave Maria must decide where her future lies.

This book is full of southern charm and I loved it. Ave Maria and her misfit friends all made Big Stone Gap so appealing. The gossips and the haters made the small mining town so real. Ave Maria had me rolling my eyes at her a few times, but for the most part I was just happy to be along for the ride.

There is nothing earth shattering here, but it was pure enjoyment. I was unsure about the obvious-from-the-start love interest (and his name) but it all worked in the end and I look forward to continuing on with these quirky southerners in the next book.

This was from my personal library. I picked it up (and way too many other books from my wish list) from Border’s for practically nothing.

Pictured Title Quiz – guessing closed

September 13, 2011September 19, 201125 Comments

See if you can guess the titles of the books from the pictures. 9 points for the correct answer and 1 point if you know the author too. These all have one thing in common, an extra 10 points if you can guess what it is!

Please play along with us. For everyone who plays an extra $ goes to the winner and the everyone is entered for a special prize. Just leave a comment with your guesses and don’t google the answers.

Rules & Leaderboard here. Last week’s Publication Quiz here.

1. & Knots & Crosses (Ian Rankin)