2008 January 19 – caribousmom

Posts on ‘January 19th, 2008’

Thank you to my Blogging Friends…

Jan 19th, 2008

This week my blog celebrated 25,000 visitors since last February. It boggles my mind. I never dreamed so many people would care about what I have to write – and I am very thankful to my blogging friends who have loyally visited and left comments.

Many thanks to Teddy at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time AND Raidergirl at An Adventure in Reading…both of whom honored me with the Mwah Award this month! The purpose of the award is: “…to hand some of that love and kindness back around to those who have been so very, very, very good to me in this bloggy world. My hope is that those who receive this award will pass it on to those who have been very, very, very good to them as well. It’s a big kiss, of the chaste platonic kind, from me to you with the underlying ‘thanks’ message implied. I really do appreciate your support and your friendship and yes, your comments. … Mwah!”

So, I am supposed to choose some bloggers and pass the award on. What a dilemma! I can’t only choose a few of you. I’d like to give it out to ALL my wonderful friends including:
1. Those who have been insane enough to follow me into challenge mania by joining my Yahoo Group – A Novel Challenge.
2. Those whose reviews I trust and use to form my endless TBR wish list.
3. Those who frequently drop by my blog and leave their wonderful and uplifting comments.
4. Those who keep coming up with more Yahoo discussion groups, challenges, and reading related events…completely enabling my book obsession.

You know who you are – I love you all…and I give you a giant MWAH!!!!

2008 Banned Books Read

Jan 19th, 2008

by Wendy.

2 comments

Banned Books Read in 2008

Last year I tracked the banned books which I read, and I’ve decided to do the same thing in 2008. Why? Because I strongly believe in our right to read freely. Throughout history, books have been banned, challenged, censored, and burned. Many authors have been jailed or forced to leave their countries because of protests about what they have written. Typically books are banned for religious, political or social reasons. In the USA, children’s books come under strong attack for a number of reasons.

I am the owner of a Yahoo group which reads banned and censored books, as well as books written by banned or censored authors. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Here is my banned books list for 2008:

1. The Giver, by Lois Lowry (read January 1, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)

The Giver is one of the most frequently challenged and banned books in middle schools across America. It has been referred to as “the suicide” book by some groups because it portrays a Utopian society that relies on euthanasia and suicide to create the perfect community. Read this article published in 2001 by USA Today. Despite the controversy, this is a beautifully written and conceived book. My view was that rather than support euthanasia and suicide, it shows the horror and devastating results of those acts. This is a great book for parents to discuss with their children.

2. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison (read February 25, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)

Banned and challenged due to “language degrading to blacks,” violent imagery, sexually explicit and profane language and depictions of sexuality. Has been accused of promoting a “homosexual agenda”.