Today marks the first day of banned book week. A week to fight against efforts of censorship and to uplift the many challenged books. For more information you can go here to the ALA website.
To celebrate I went to my library's website and requested a bunch of banned books. Including children's books to read to my 16 month old twins, I selected (among others) And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell since this seems to consistently show up on lists for some insane reason. In my opinion it looks adorable and I can't wait to read it to my kids.
For the record any kind of censorship is ridiculous and makes me furious. This week in my reading for both myself and my children I plan to focus specifically on "banned books"
And what's more is that many bloggers are hosting giveaways to celebrate banned book week. Carol's Prints is hosting an amazing giveaway with a banned books bracelet (That I really want) plus some great books. Go on over and check it out. The giveaway ends tomorrow!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
"User Barred"...
We just moved to a new city and one of my first tasks was obtaining a library card (as I promised my husband I would keep my book buying under control). This library is also far larger than the system in my rural hometown and so each night I go on-line and request different books. Then they are delivered right to the drive up window of the library around the corner. Seriously, the drive up window at the library is the greatest idea ever, as I discovered when I attempted to browse inside the library with my 16 month old twins. It was an epic fail and I left without a book that day. (Drive-up window = lifesaver).
Last night I sat down with my list of books, went on-line to my account, and starting looking up my newest picks. I then clicked the "hold" button only to have a big read box show up that said, "user barred".
You, have no idea how much this devastated me. I immediately, tried again thinking perhaps I mistyped my log in information. It must be a mistake, how could they bar me? I have never had a late book (at this library), heck I've only been using this library for a month. When my second attempt resulted in the same angry red box, my next plan of attack was to scour the website trying to see what kind of offensive I could have committed to be banned from placing holds, or checking out books.
This search was to no avail and I sat defeated in my chair. My husband looked at me and asked, "Why do you look like you're going to cry?"
"Marcus they've barred me from the library. Why would they do that? What did I do? Do you think they found out that I still haven't returned a book from ______(my rural library)? Maybe I'm on some kind of wanted list?" (I was being a little dramatic).
Marcus laughed and shook his head at all of this (especially the notion that there's some kind of library connection out to bar those with late returns from using any library in the state).
Since it was Sunday evening I had no recourse except to send an email inquiry and hope that it was all some big mistake. Then I went to bed...
This morning at work I was checking my email and noticed that my newest amazon order had shipped... the only problem was I had no memory of placing the order.
Turns out when I get barred from the library I order books in the middle of the night with no memory of the event.
Luckily, after several panicked email correspond the bar has been lifted and all is right in my book checking out library world. (And hopefully that will end late night amazon orders that I don't remember).
Last night I sat down with my list of books, went on-line to my account, and starting looking up my newest picks. I then clicked the "hold" button only to have a big read box show up that said, "user barred".
You, have no idea how much this devastated me. I immediately, tried again thinking perhaps I mistyped my log in information. It must be a mistake, how could they bar me? I have never had a late book (at this library), heck I've only been using this library for a month. When my second attempt resulted in the same angry red box, my next plan of attack was to scour the website trying to see what kind of offensive I could have committed to be banned from placing holds, or checking out books.
This search was to no avail and I sat defeated in my chair. My husband looked at me and asked, "Why do you look like you're going to cry?"
"Marcus they've barred me from the library. Why would they do that? What did I do? Do you think they found out that I still haven't returned a book from ______(my rural library)? Maybe I'm on some kind of wanted list?" (I was being a little dramatic).
Marcus laughed and shook his head at all of this (especially the notion that there's some kind of library connection out to bar those with late returns from using any library in the state).
Since it was Sunday evening I had no recourse except to send an email inquiry and hope that it was all some big mistake. Then I went to bed...
This morning at work I was checking my email and noticed that my newest amazon order had shipped... the only problem was I had no memory of placing the order.
Turns out when I get barred from the library I order books in the middle of the night with no memory of the event.
Luckily, after several panicked email correspond the bar has been lifted and all is right in my book checking out library world. (And hopefully that will end late night amazon orders that I don't remember).
Monday, August 23, 2010
Mockingjay sighting...
I'm a nerd, I realize, but I own it and I don't really care. I had to go to Wal.Mart (not my fav.) because the babies needed more formula and it's right next to our house. I decided to check out the books, just to see if maybe by some mistake they accidently put Mockingjay on the shelves a day early.
I wandered over casually and as I stood there an employee was stocking the shelves. I saw a box labeled, "Do not display until 8/24" and I just knew it held Mockingjay. So I awkwardly start staring as she proceeds with her stocking duties.
I'm silently hoping she won't notice the side of the box and put a few copies out. She did in fact open the box, and I slyly/Casually/ super awkwardly tried to look inside and I saw the light blue covers.
At this point my slyness/casualness is just full blown awkward so she gives me a look and asks, "Can I help you with something?"
"um... no thank you I'm just looking"
While in my head I'm plotting how I can remove one of the books from the box unnoticed. She then pulls one out and my hopes are raised... she's going to display them.
But, then she checked something on her little device put the book back in the box and walked away.
So very close.
I wonder if I go at midnight if they'll give me one. After all midnight does officially make it August 24th which is the release date.
(Marcus thinks I'm only mildly insane). He did later say that maybe he should have caused some sort of diversion (it's not hard when shopping with twins) and I could have grabbed myself a book.
Not that I'd ever be brave enough to do that but a girl can dream.
I wandered over casually and as I stood there an employee was stocking the shelves. I saw a box labeled, "Do not display until 8/24" and I just knew it held Mockingjay. So I awkwardly start staring as she proceeds with her stocking duties.
I'm silently hoping she won't notice the side of the box and put a few copies out. She did in fact open the box, and I slyly/Casually/ super awkwardly tried to look inside and I saw the light blue covers.
At this point my slyness/casualness is just full blown awkward so she gives me a look and asks, "Can I help you with something?"
"um... no thank you I'm just looking"
While in my head I'm plotting how I can remove one of the books from the box unnoticed. She then pulls one out and my hopes are raised... she's going to display them.
But, then she checked something on her little device put the book back in the box and walked away.
So very close.
I wonder if I go at midnight if they'll give me one. After all midnight does officially make it August 24th which is the release date.
(Marcus thinks I'm only mildly insane). He did later say that maybe he should have caused some sort of diversion (it's not hard when shopping with twins) and I could have grabbed myself a book.
Not that I'd ever be brave enough to do that but a girl can dream.
Mockingjay is released tomorrow...
and to celebrate many bloggers are hosting Hunger Game giveaways including The Nerds Wife. Just go to that link or here to enter to win Hunger game necklaces or T-shirts.
I've been trying to think about my strategy for obtaining a book tomorrow. I have to work at 9, so I'm thinking of getting up early, finding a store that carries the book and then taking it to work with me. Where it will sit tempting me on my desk all day waiting for me to start reading.
Although I suppose if I actually want to be a productive employee tomorrow I should probably wait until after work to buy it. Decisions, decisions...
I'm so excited (much to Marcus' amusement)!! And if you are too go to the above links and enter to win cool Hunger Games Stuff!
I've been trying to think about my strategy for obtaining a book tomorrow. I have to work at 9, so I'm thinking of getting up early, finding a store that carries the book and then taking it to work with me. Where it will sit tempting me on my desk all day waiting for me to start reading.
Although I suppose if I actually want to be a productive employee tomorrow I should probably wait until after work to buy it. Decisions, decisions...
I'm so excited (much to Marcus' amusement)!! And if you are too go to the above links and enter to win cool Hunger Games Stuff!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Flash Back Friday: American Girl (Addy)
Flashback Friday is a chance to showcase books that you loved as a kid or teenager. Hosted by Lovely Little Shelf
I loved the American Girl dolls and books when I was a little girl. My favorite of all of the books were those about Addy a young girl who escapes slavery with her mom in 1864. I remember reading the first book about Addy and the description of her enslavement on a plantation. As punishment for missing a few grubs on the plants the overseer forced her to eat the grubs. As I read this book I can remember being moved to tears, which was an odd experience being 7 or 8 years old.
These books were my first look and encounter with our nations history of slavery and the subsequent racism that followed the emancipation. I am indebted to the American Girl stories about Addy that opened my worldview and mind to something bigger and an issue which is still so very important to me. I hope as my children grow they too will want to read these books so that their worlds and perspective can grow with them. Hopefully allowing them to grow into young adults with an eye towards compassion and justice.
All of my Addy Books
And me a few weeks ago at the American Girl store in Minneapolis. I've wanted to go since I was a little girl and finally had my chance. In the bag is the newest Addy book (one they had written since I was younger) An Addy Mystery.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Musing Mondays: Distractions...
This week’s musing asks…Can you read amidst distractions? (tv, others talking, sporting events, etc)
Hosted by Should be Reading
Oh yes, I can without a doubt read amidst distractions. This is a talent I developed growing up in small homes with 5 siblings. It was pretty much a necessary survival skill in my house if I ever wanted to get any reading done. It's funny now though because when I read I still don't hear or notice things around me. My husband can talk and talk and I'll look up eventually and ask, "Did you say something?"
I think the best story of this that I have growing up is on a long car trip in our crowded van surrounding by my 5 siblings. I don't remember where we were going but it was winter and the weather was awful and the roads were slick with ice. At one point our van spun out of control and we almost crashed into another vehicle (luckily all was avoided and we were fine).
I missed the entire thing because I was so into my book. My brother was horrified that nothing could get me out of the book and I can't remember his exact comment but he just kept asking what was wrong with me? Haha I just like to read what can I say.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
In my mailbox (4)...
In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and it explores the contents of my mailbox, library, or shopping bag on a weekly basis. Here's what I acquired this week:
From the Library:
From the Library:
Ford County by John Grisham
(Finally I requested this from the library weeks ago)
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
For an online book club.
Special by Scott Westerfeld
I'm not really sure why I bothered to check this one out. I own the first book in the series because I bought it for a $1 at a used book store. Then went to search for book #2 and of course the library didn't have it.
Borrowed:
The Stand Stephen King
I'm borrowing this from my MIL's friend because the library copy I checked out smelled so awful. My MIL even tried to air out for me but no dice (I am a library snob after all).
Bought:
Under the Dome Stephen King
I'm heard amazing things about this book and when I saw the paperback version for a bargain price I just couldn't resist. Despite my efforts to cut back on my book buying.
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