Category: Meanderings

Good morning!  Happy Friday!

It’s feeling fall here this morning.  I have already been outside with the dogs and yeah… a bit chilly for sleep pants and a t shirt but the trees are looking gorgeous as the weather man said they would this year. 

Anyway… I did mention ice cream.

I am really not a big fan of ice cream but occasionally a flavor will draw me out.  A couple of summers ago there was a limited edition called Key Lime Pie.  Of wow…. that was bad.  Lets just say I would go downstairs to do laundry (which is next to the freezer) with a spoon.  ‘nuf said. 

Then recently at the store, I seen this limited edition Pumpkin Pie ice cream.  I am not even sure why it called to me… I am not a big pie person either and if I were to have pie, pumpkin probably would not make my top 5 choices….. yet there it was…

For the record – I thought it was ok…. different, good – but not a “have to have”.  Remember though… not the Pumpkin Pie fan… my college son however, who I sent a text to about my find, made a special trip to the store last night in Mankato to find this ice cream.  His #1 pie of choice:  Pumpkin.

Moving on… we are nearing the end of banned books week and we are down to only two more clues – today and tomorrow.  If you have missed any of them, I have organized them here for you so you can quickly catch up and get in on tomorrows big banned book giveaway.

Today your clue comes from Laura at Book Snob, with her review of The Handmaid’s Tale (one I have yet to read but own and want to!)

In other banned posts going up today and each one worth a bonus entry for tomorrows giveaway – please take a little time to see:

Sarah from Sawcat’s Book Blog has her review up of The Hunger Games

Krystyn from Someday I’ll Get There wrote up her review of The Diary Of Anne Frank

Crystal from I Totally Paused has her review up of Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince

Reagan at Miss Remmer’s Reviews reads from To Kill A Mockingbird

And for all your year around banned book curiosities… Bonnie runs the Banned Books Blog which I am thrilled to be a contributor to.  These reviews not only let you know what each book is about – but why it was banned. 

There’s the banned plan!  As for me….I think this morning I will have a little tea, a little reading and maybe this afternoon a bike ride or a walk with the dogs.

Good morning.  😛

We are having some nice weather here in Minnesota.

I had a busy Wednesday so had no reading time whatsoever running from one commitment to another… however, once home,  I cuddled up in my blanky, put on the recording of Survivor, and played a little Pottermore on line. 

I know I am revealing my level of Harry Potter geekiness here but… so be it, it’s POTTERMORE and I just received my letter of entry a few days ago.  I wont go into a ton of detail but let me just say – wow.  The story opens into chapters, you look for clues to collect in your trunk as well as ingredients for potions which is cool…

BUT – coolest of all is that J K Rowling reveals back stories on the characters the places, from character names, to addresses…. all great stuff for the Potterheads out there like me.  😀

Yes, it is still banned book week and I have another clue for you! 

Clue holder:  Meredith from Wandering In The Stacks shares her review of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

 

For bonus entries into the giveaway (plus amazing posts on banned books) please check out the links before.

Jon from The Rogue Scholar is posting his review on The Handmaid’s Tale

 

 

Jennifer at Literate Housewife has a post on Take This Book And Ban It!

 

 

Christa from Hooked On Books has a review up of Water For Chocolate

 

 

Gina from Book Dragon’s Lair discusses The Night Kitchen

 

 

Good Morning!  D

Central Minnesota has been kind to me these past few days and I have been able to get my lawn mowed, yard cleaned up, and yesterday I even cleaned out the garage while listening to…

Night Circus.

I know, I know… I am reading all banned books this week but my thoughts on this are – if they are saying this read is going to be as big as Harry Potter, already had the movie rights bought by the same company that made the Twilight movies…. certainly it will one day be banned/challenged as well right?  😛

 

We are sitting right in the middle of Banned Books Week and I have been thrilled to have so many Book Bloggers join me here sharing banned book reviews and thoughts.  I hope you are able to take a few minutes and peek at some of the links I have been giving you since this last Saturday as Banned Books Week is an important week .

Each day since Saturday I have been giving a link with a clue letter for you to gather for the Banned Book Giveaway…. here is the Wednesday clue…

Lindsey from Literary Lindsey features today Bridge To Terabithia

For other links to Banned Books – and bonus entries for the giveaway, please check out these other blogs:

Samantha from Booking It With Runner Sami reviews Twenty Boy Summer

Danielle from Mercurial Musings review Catcher In The Rye

Brenda from Simple Pleasures talks about Being A Reading Mentor

Kim from Mild-Mannered Librarian talks about Language in Banned Books

Angie from Book or By Crook reviews and Tango Makes Three

 

So how is Night Circus on audio?

I am still deciding, I am liking the story line but it is taking me awhile to get into Jim Dale’s narration.  That’s sad as I love Jim Dale… but the tone, I dont know… its too early to tell.  If all else fails, the book is right here on the table  😀

Good morning!

How is everyone?  I am doing rather well here, had a great day yesterday, mowed the lawn for what I think is probably the final time for the year and received my Pottermore link to get in.

Yup – that’s right… last night I finally experienced a little bit of Pottermore which has been interesting and fun… I stayed up too late exploring within in and cant wait to get to the sorting hat… that’s all I am saying on that today.  😛

It is Banned Books Week. 

I wanted to chat my thoughts on banned books this morning and then link you to the clue for the day as well as a few other great posts on banned books.

Go with me on this… imagine if your favorite book in the world, the one you recommend to everyone to read…

was suddenly being challenged or banned and threatened to be taken out of the schools, stores, library, etc….

what if someone, somewhere, somehow, thought there was a word in the book that was too harsh, too real, too strong, or a character who did not fit in as their idea of what a good clean appropriate character should be…. what if …

in that favorite book of yours an animal talked and some group of people decided that animals should not talk in books, it was confusing and blasphemous and just can not be, what if in an older classic style read a word is used that is not accepted in todays culture and therefore surely we must pretend the word never did… we must… we must cover up our history….

I am saying this today because before last year I thought a banned book must be something disgusting, filthy, unfit for reading…  and then on closer observations, I seen they were books I loved like all the Harry Potter Books, many (MANY) of the classics… books we grew up on as kids…

and that is why I am so passionate about banned books.  Take a look at the list of top 100 books and I think you may be surprised. 

And – it is not just “an older” book thing, as Sheree will show you today from The Eclectic Reader….

Your banned book review today with your clue #5 is:

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, pop over to Sheree’s and see her beautiful blog – and a great message about the book and the clue for today.

Missed a clue?  Need to know what I am talking about?  I have a prize package going on right now to celebrate banned books week.  Check it out here. 

And please see these other banned book related posts from book bloggers around the world.  A comment on these posts (as well as the ones I have posted each morning since this past Saturday will get you a bonus entry into the giveaway)

Katie at Curse of The Bibliophile shares her Thoughts On Banned Books

Pammy Pam at an Unconventional Library reviews The Diary Of Anne Frank

Danielle at Mercurial Musings reviews Of Mice And Men

Angie at By Book Or By Crook reviews LUSH by Natasha Friend

Gina at Books Dragon’s Lair shares:  Unsuitable For Age Group – The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Christa at Christa’s Hooked On Books shares her thoughts on banned books such as The Lord Of The Rings

Joy from Joystory reviews The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

I love that so many of us have jumped on the banned wagon, and there is so much more than this out there on the web this week.  Take some time and check out these wonderful posts and learn a little more about censorship.

Have a lovely day – it is gorgeous here in Minnesota.  I may go rollerblading or biking this afternoon.  But honestly… will probably be dabbling in Pottermore this morning.  😉

 

Good morning!

The It’s Monday, What Are You Reading post is directly below this one.

*grabs coffee cup and slugs a big drink*

Coming in a little later than expected today.  I had a really full and fun weekend, a 36 mile bike ride, Saturday evening with my aunt and uncle for dinner and then coffee at our house and then Sunday we were busy out to dinner and  met with a group of friends and then home, and after watching Amazing Race…. I did not get the links prepped to this post as I had hoped to last night.  😯

AND – you are not going to want to miss out on these links….  this first one is the one that has your clue to the ongoing Banned Books week BIG giveaway:

The awesome Steve of True Media Solutions LLC brings to you Light in August by William Faulkner (and your 4th clue!)

for additional (BONUS) entries as well as some wonderful posts that are banned books related, I would love it if you would stop by and see:

Crystal from I Totally Paused brings her thoughts in with Banned Books – What on EARTH? and A GIVEAWAY!!!

Erin at Quixotic Magpie delights us with her review of The Witches by Roald Dahl

Danielle at Mercurial Musings shares her musings on Why Celebrate Banned Books?

Kim from Mild Mannered Librarian shares banned Childrens books and how they show “disrespect of authority”

Gina from Book Dragon’s Lair tackles 10,000 Dresses and how it does not reflect community values

Joy from Joystory shares her thoughts on The Lovely Bones, a banned book

Brenda from Simple Pleasures Books Blog talks about Why The Caged Bird Sings

again I hope you can stop by to the wonderful Banned Book Week participants and see what they have to say about banned books.  😀

Oh and if you are wondering, what is going on with Sheila and chatting up banned books and what is she talking about when she mentions a clue?  Here is the info you need.  😀

Good Morning!  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!  I sure am.  I had a great time yesterday with the kick off to banned books week, doing a little reading, and a lot of Twitter fun.  I hope you are able to join in the big giveaway I am hosting… clues are being given out daily during banned book week and I am about to post another one!  (If you have missed any – check out the sticky post at the top of his blog)

Our Clue today comes from Heather at Based On A True Story, you will find it with her review of The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.  (Which also involves… a giveaway of chocolate!)

Looking for some bonus entries or just more great stuff on banned books?  I have you covered!

Danielle at Mercurial Musings is going to give away the top ten most frequently challenged books of 2010!

Gina at Book Dragon’s Lair has a fantastic post up on Bookbanning In America

In my regular day to day so far not banned life, I had a wonderful dinner with hubby and my aunt and uncle last night.  This was sweet as we never do this!  We went out to eat and then came back to our house for coffee and chatting.  In other random non banned things, College son cut his hand open at work last night and needed stitches.  I will spare you all the picture he sent me on my phone.  Uhhh…. GROSS.  😛  He was stitched up and back to work in no time and laughed at my desire to drive the three hours to Mankato to be with him  😀

And one more odd and interesting (and there may be a banning on this one)… I woke up this morning and had no less than seven (SEVEN!) young cats on my back deck…. in the tree, in the dog kennel, on the deck, on the grill.  We dont own any cats.  I think they were all  wild.  They were cute… cant ban them from the deck…

And this one is just for fun…. but…

Look at this beautiful 1984 version of Little Red Riding Hood.  To me, it looks lovely, something I would love to have on my shelf…. 

BUT…

sharp eyed School Board Members in Culver City, California are quick to question what “Red” is carrying in her basket.  Certainly the bread is understandable, and perhaps there is some sort of homemade jam in there as well – but as big as the wolves eyes….  Culver City School Board decided that the bottle of wine apparently in plain sight in the basket was not a good image to set before the youngsters.  Raising the alert that this book should not be allowed in the school as it sends a mixed message about alcohol.

“Little Red Riding Hood… we are going to need you to slowly step away from the basket….”

AND for purely FYI…. have you checked out Bonnie’s Banned Books blog?  This amazing site is 100% geared towards banned books year around…. if you ever want to know more about a banned book or why it is challenged, this is a great source to check out!

Good morning!  This is going to be an exciting next 7 days!  For the second year in a row I am taking a big part in Banned Books Week.  All week-long here, and on other book blogs that I will be sharing with you, there will be banned book reviews, discussions on banned books and why they are banned/challenged, of and did I mention giveaways?  Uh yeah… there will be giveaways.  😛

One of the events that starts today is that I have set up a blog a day that will post a review that I will link to each morning.  I encourage you to go and check out what they are reviewing and at the bottom of each review they will have a letter to a clue.  At the end of the week (next Saturday) you will have 8 clues gathered and coming back here I will have a form for you to put your answer on.  Correct answers will go into a drawing for a Banned Book package which you will see here:

All 4 of these books:  SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, Beloved by Toni Morrison, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling, and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston have been on the Banned Books List.  All 4 of these books will go one winner next Saturday who gathers all the clues, as well as a $10 Amazon Gift card to hopefully pick up another book that draws your interest over the week.  

You will also receive extra entries for commenting on the posts that I will give you links to each morning.  My hope is that you are introduced to a great book this week that has been through the ringer by being challenged or banned.

 

What do you mean be “banned book?”

A banned book is one that has been removed from the shelves of a library, bookstore, or classroom because of its controversial content. In some cases, banned books of the past have been burned and/or refused publication. Possession of banned books has at times been regarded as an act of treason or heresy, which was punishable by death, torture, prison time, or other acts of retribution.

A book may be challenged or banned on political, religious, sexual, or social grounds. We take the acts of banning or challenging a book as a serious matter, because these are forms of censorship–striking at the very core of our freedom to read.

 

 

My reviews this week will all be banned books and some will be with giveaways.  Pay special attention to my review that will pop up later today as that one will be holding one of the clues you will need to gather…

As for other things happening today banned books wise….

 

***The awesome Cass at Bonjour Cass has reviewed The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (she also has the clue you will need for today!  **Yes, two clues today – one will be here later with my review, and the other is with Cass)

 

My wonderful friend and fellow Bookie Angie from By Book Or By Crook has reviewed What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonia Sones

 

The great Julie at My Book Retreat has reviewed And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

 

The amazing Katie at Curse Of The Bibliophile reviewed The Giver by Lois Lowrey

 

My BEA Audio Book pal Jill from Rhapsody In Books reviewed In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

 

The super Danielle of Mercurial Musings is kicking off Banned Books Week by posting about the most frequently challenged books of last year, and a giveaway!

 

** Comment on any or all of the above links and you will have extra entries available on the form I post next Saturday for the Banned Books Package Giveaway.  *One extra entry per comment

 

In other Banned Books happenings…

 

I Am A Reader Not A Writer has kicked off today with a Banned Books Week blog hop and the giveaways are everywhere! 

 

And it is not too late for you to jump on the Banned Wagon!  Click  the picture below if you want to be added to my review list for banned books this week and feel out the form.  😀

Good morning!

*BIG sip out of coffee cup.*

I was pleasantly surprised to wake up to real sun today… not that hazy gloom of overcast dreary sky – nope… honest to goodness clear skies, and a WARM sun (I tested it when I let the dogs outside).  HA!  Take that fall… we are not spiraling down to winter yet!  😛

I have today off *SSQQUUEEE!!!!) but plenty to do around my home and around the blog.  I have some banned book week things to still put into place – stay tune for kick off tomorrow on that – I think it is going to be a LOT of fun.  I know I am looking forward to it.

Also- I am about to hit a lot of review prepping at once as I finished The Ask and The Answer last night (awesome awesome awesome), Robin Hood is about to finish up on audio in my car, and In The Woods should finish up here quickly too when I finish the lawn today. 

I plan to stop by my library today to see what is happening for banned books week – I am hoping they do a cool display like they did last year.   Also going to the library with me is an audiobook that I super excited about when I came home last night and seen someone sent me audio *SSQQUUEE!!!) and then I realized the audio was something I had signed up for to go to my library.  I am excited to take it to them… and then get in line to check it out 😀

I may possibly have two book reviews up today and I apologize in advance for that.  Forbidden by Ted Dekker may go up late today as starting tomorrow I only want to post banned books and reviews for the week and the group that was reading Forbidden are posting their reviews over the weekend. .

I hope you will pop in and visit often throughout this next week…many book bloggers will be participating and there is a fun Banned Book contest that I will be kicking off tomorrow morning.  😀

I leave you with this… “Tonights Going To Be A Good Night with Flashmob…. someday… someday… I am taking part in a flash mob…. I will find one… I will. 😛