My Read-a-thon Pile and My Lack of Memory

So, I signed up for the 24-hour-read-a-thon again. I really loved spending a whole day reading last time. Even when I told my husband, he seemed cool about it.

Then, I remembered that my family will ALL be in town that weekend. No really, all of them.

And then, I learned my church is having an activity that day - an activity involving food.

But, don't worry, I know my priorities. Books always come first. (Wait...that doesn't sound right.)

I think I'm still going to participate, but my goals will be less lofty and I will probably not get as many books read (or as many hours) as last time.

Still, I love feeling like I'm a part of it, so here's my extremely hopeful pile o' choices:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (cause really I haven't gotten any books read yet for the Harry Potter challenge)
Daylight Runnerby Oisin McGann
Thirteenth Childby Patricia C. Wrede
The Name of this Book Is Secretby Pseudonymous Bosch
The White Queen: A Novelby Philippa Gregory
Foundby Margaret Peterson Haddix
A Season of Giftsby Richard Peck
The Mysterious Benedict Societyby Trenton Lee Stewart
Farworld, Book 1: Water Keepby J. Scott Savage

You know, it's long but I'm keeping my options open. I also have a few review books I may need to read as well. Hopefully I'll be able to finish one or two books. I hope. Maybe I should do a page count as a goal instead? Any thoughts?

Book Review: Thornspell by Helen Lowe

Thornspellis a complex retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Sigismund, the prince, knows that he is the one destined to break the spell and wake the princess - the problem is the evil faie Margravine knows he is too. She doesn't want him to wake the princess unless he's under her power - that way she can seize the power of Sleeping Beauty's palace. That definitely complicates things.

Things I Liked:
This was a surprising treat. I hadn't heard a lot of talk about this fairy tale retelling (though the reviews I saw were glowing), so I went in slightly skeptical. I was floored. This was a complex, deep, intricate, and quite beautiful story. Sigismund is the main focus of the story and his training, not to mention growing, is a huge part of the tale. The world created for this tale was quite wonderful - filled with faie and other mystical creatures. The magic was really well done - believable and still powerful. It also managed to keep me guessing on the ending and just how everything worked out. A real treat.

Things I Didn't Like:
The book was a bit slow at the start. I think some of the introductory stuff on Sigismund might have even been dropped and the story would have been just as good. I was also a bit surprised that it was a middle grade/elementary school aged book. While no content made it "objectionable," I found the plot and writing a bit too complex for some younger readers, though I am sure many of them would love it.

Read-alikes:
A bit like The Princess and the Hound and The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
some fighting and a bloody boar hunt

Overall rating: *****

What's your favorite fairy tale? Fairy tale retelling? Why?

Book Review: Shug by Jenny Han

Shugis an ordinary 12-year-old girl, just starting junior high (real name: Annemarie). She also just realized she's in love with her best-friend-since-forever Mark. But, when school starts, Shug realized there's a lot more changes happening than just switching schools.

Things I Liked:
This book captures almost perfectly the awkward transition from kid to tween. Shug (short for sugar, not like shrug) is at that tricky stage where she likes someone, but isn't sure if he likes her back. The intricacies of being popular and accepted at her new school are proving too much for her and she is saddened to watch all her old friends drift away from her. The changes that happen in this time of life were very real and I almost felt like I was right back there with her; dealing with my own ugly duckling years where my best friend left me behind to be popular (but not in such a mean and horrible way). It was really well done.

Things I Didn't Like:
I was just the tiniest bit annoyed by the fact that their favorite book was The Color Purple. But, that's probably because I loathed that book. Purely my own personal reaction. And that I'd be reluctant to let my 12-year-old pick it up, no matter how mature.

Read-alikes:
Really reminded me of Flippedby Wendelin Van Draanen
A little like Stargirlby Jerry Spinelli

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
maybe one or two

mrg-factor: none
kissing only

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

In Your Ears (Or Not)

I like audiobooks. No, really I do.

I've been trying to get my hands (ears?) on some so that I can actually do house work. I'm not talented enough to keep my eyes on a page and my hands on my work. But, it seems like the cosmic forces of the universe are trying to keep me from listening to a book.

Problem 1: I don't like listening to books with lots of swearing.

When I'm reading a book, I can skip over or fudge past the swear words, but in an audio, all I can do is listen. I don't want to hear lots of swearing. If I did, I'd head back to high school. So, I'm uncomfortable listening to certain types of books. This obviously limits my choices. Which weren't that broad in the first place (I get them from my rather limited library's selection).

Problem 2: I prefer not to check them out on CD or tape.

While I'm working around the house, my husband is usually doing homework. This makes it not very practical to have a book blaring through the house while he's trying to concentrate. But, I also don't want to haul around a portable CD or tape player. Fortunately, through our library system, we can check out and download audiobooks online (in several types of formats), which leads me to:

Problem 3: My computer and (rather outdated) mp3 player revolt against these downloaded books.

This is the most aggravating problem. I was trying to use the software that must be downloaded to listen to the books (which is its own annoying issue) and it wasn't recognizing the books I'd downloaded. That's a problem when the software that you have to have doesn't recognize the books it's designed to recognize. Sigh. It also would not load onto my mp3 player.

Eventually, we were able to work this out (after much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth), but I started to think I was not supposed to listen to audiobooks. And I started to not want to.

Here are my questions:

Am I just dealing with problems specific to me and my equipment?

Do you ever run into technical difficulties with your audiobooks?

Does it turn you off from listening to books if it isn't easy?

Book Review: If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

If You Come Softlyis a lyrical story of Ellie and Miah, two high school students who make an instant connection to each other. Their relationship develops during the stolen hours they have with one another. It could be your typical first love story, but what no one can ever overlook is that Ellie is white and Miah is black.

Things I Liked:
This book is not an in-your-face issue book. Miah and Ellie are not preaching sermons all the time about race relations. They quietly speak by action how different people can forget, or rather embrace, their differences. The rest of the world doesn't understand, of course. I loved how Woodson depicted the glances, the words, the sometimes disapproval of both black and white. I also love how Miah's mother doesn't really hesitate to love Ellie, but how Ellie is afraid her family will not immediately accept Miah. This book made me think about prejudices I may have, that aren't immediately apparent. I also love that sometimes it was just about family relationships - how kids interacted with parents, siblings, and even friends. No matter where they grew up or what color their skin. Not to mention, Woodson's beautiful writing. Here's a favorite quote:

"'All people have suffered. So why should any of us feel like we're better or less than another?' But where are they then - these black people who were just like us - who were equal to us?" p.70

Things I Didn't Like:
I almost wish there had been more explanation and discussion of the ending. It was very fast and not very clear what happened. I think that was intentional, but no less slightly frustrating.

Read-alikes:
I enjoyed After Tupac and D Foster and Hushby Woodson, who has lots of other similar books (see some great reviews of her stuff at Maw Books Blog)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
not a lot

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Do you ever think you have prejudices you just haven't realized yet?

Library's Naughty or Nice List

This may come as a shock to you, so maybe you should sit down.

I only got three books from the library since my last library loot post.

You read that right. Three.

AND I had to return five from this loot. UN. READ.

I definitely made the nice list this week.

No worries, I made a list of the books I returned so I could remember to check them out again when I have a smaller pile. Ha.

Here's what I got:

A Season of Giftsby Richard Peck
The Mysterious Benedict Societyby Trenton Lee Stewart
Farworld, Book 1: Water Keepby J. Scott Savage

What's almost even funnier is that I got more books in the mail than from the library. Highly unusual for me. These appeared in the mail for me:

Keturah And Lord Deathby Martine Leavitt (finally, after an annoying fiasco from the used seller I purchased from through Amazon)

the Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty Rebel Angelsand The Sweet Far Thingby Libba Bray, won in a contest from Alea at Pop Culture Junkie (I love this series!)

Black Angelsby Linda Beatrice Brown from the publisher for review

Secrets of a Christmas Boxby Steven Hornby from the publisher for review

Were you naughty or nice during your last library visit?

Book Review: Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Gossameris a short somewhat paranormal story of Littlest One, a dream giver, who is learning how to do her job. She has a touch light as gossamer, but can her dream-giving help a little boy in serious trouble?

Things I Liked:
I thought the story was really sweet. The idea of little creatures bringing us dreams from our memories was beautiful. I also thought it was a good balance of things that are light and pretty and the heavier, harder things in life. A nice book for younger kids who might be dealing with difficult home matters. John is only 8 years old, but he already has an understanding of some of the cruelties the world offers. The older woman who is foster parent to John is really my favorite - because of how she deals with John.

Things I Didn't Like:
This book definitely doesn't have the same power as her other books, but it is a sweet story. It was a little light on character development. It isn't really a character-driven story (a little too short for that) but I felt kind of disconnected from them.

Read-alikes:
The Magicians Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
For style (not content) try other Lois Lowry books, The Giverand Messenger

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
John's memories are pretty scary and a bit violent

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirlsis the gripping story of Lia, an anorexic girl who struggles with control after her best friend Cassie dies alone in a hotel room. She left thirty-three messages for Lia before she died. And now Lia deals with the grief and responsibility she feels - all while maintaining control at the very least over her own body.

Things I Liked:
Wow. Really, Anderson writes stuff that is hard to read - stuff that really makes you sit down and think. I am sure this book will speaks to people who struggle with eating disorders. I've never had an eating disorder, but as a woman, I have dealt with my own body image issues. This book looks at these things without flinching. You get right into the mind of Lia and see just what she thinks and why. Control. Strength. Power. All of these things play a huge part in Lia's disorder. This book is hard to read. Hard to put down. Impossible to forget.

Things I Didn't Like:
I really didn't like hearing about some of these things. I really didn't want to see some of what happened. But, I'm glad I did. I got a small glimpse of what it's like.

Read-alikes:
Read Speak by Anderson - iconic YA about difficult issues
Anything by Chris Crutcher - I've read Whale Talk
Also reminded me (not topic wise) of Monsterby Walter Dean Myers
*all of these are mature books - probably best suited for older teens*

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#
moderate amount of them

mrg-factor: X
some things mentioned - nothing described

v-factor: ->->->
not regular violence, but some cutting and other frightening images

Overall rating: ***

Not sure how to rate this one. I didn't "like" it, but it was very powerful...if you do ratings how do you indicate this?

Book Review: The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

The First Part Lastis a short book, but really packs a punch. Alternating between "then" and "now" it looks at the struggles of a teenage father raising his baby daughter Feather alone. It is beautifully tender and also very real - exploring Bobby's conflicted feelings about fatherhood and his shortened youth.

Things I Liked:
The writing was beautiful. I really loved getting this look at how a teenage father feels. I was touched at his feelings for his daughter and also at the tender side of Bobby and his buddies. These tough guys soften up around Feather and I love that. I also thought it very balanced in its depiction - Bobby loves his daughter, but also feels just how hard, how limiting, how sleep-depriving this experience is - especially while he's still in high school.

Things I Didn't Like:
I really can't think of much for this. I kinda wish I'd known more about Nia, the mother, but it is clearly intended as a book about the father.

Read-alikes:
I haven't read a lot of stuff like this, but I did enjoy the classic YA Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jonesby Ann Head about teenage parenthood

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#$
plenty throughout
mrg-factor: X
innuendo, but not descriptive
v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Awarding Royalty for Loyalty

Got this fabulous award from Britt at Confessions of a Book Habitue (a while ago), but hey, here I am - better late than never, right? I think this is a great award, since it spotlights people that make you happy - those that comment and read your posts regularly.

The Dragon's Loyalty Award is an award for the loyal fan/commenter, whether the recipient is a fellow blogger or just a someone who follows and comments regularly.

Here are the rules:

* If you have a blog, post it on your blog with a link back to the site who gave it to you.

* Leave them a comment on their site, email, etc. to let them know.

* If you don't have a blog but have a website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or other type account, post there with a link back.

* Pass this on to 3-10 loyal fans.

I would absolutely have to put Britt at Confessions of a Book Habitue on this list too! A regular for sure, always answering my (sometimes annoying) questions!

And Amy from Haiku Amy - very busy, but still manages to visit my blog!
Suey from It's All About Books always has something nice to say (to pretty much anyone)!
Melissa the BookNut is always commenting on my book reviews - even when no one else will!
Recently Angie from Angieville has also been popping over often.

Thank you very much, regular readers and commenters - don't they make you want to blog more?

Book Review: Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy-Tacyis the first in a series of books about these two girls - best friends from when they were five years old. When Tacy moves in across the street, Betsy finally has a little girl just her age in the neighborhood. Though they have a rather inauspicious first meeting, they soon become inseparable friends through all kinds of fun adventures.

Things I Liked:
I first heard of this series from a college roommate who had the whole set. She adored them. I was skeptical. I was also wrong. What a sweet, homey feel this book has to it! It made me all nostalgic, even though I never read these books as a little girl. It also made me feel all lonely for my best friend growing up. I loved reading about the fun things they made up to do and also the real things that happen to real people and how they deal with it. Definitely a classic series for young girls.

Things I Didn't Like:
There were a couple of references that date this series, but I think most kids won't mind them. Also, it was not as fun for me as it would be for someone who grew up on this series. Kind of like how much more fun Disneyland can be if you went when you were a kid.

Read-alikes:
A little bit Little Womenby Louisa May Alcott
Like Anne of Green Gables and sequels by L.M. Montgomery
and all those other books you read as a child :)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

And, I started this series just in time for Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge going on at A Library is a Hospital for the Mind. Don't know how many I'll get in this month, but I can sure try!

Banned Book Reading and The Great Censorship Debate

Looking for something great to read? You only have to look at some banned/challenged book lists to find some pretty fabulous reads! I sure enjoyed these books:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

And from this list of challenged children's books

Holes by Louis Sachar (seriously?)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Did they actually read this title and find something objectionable?)
The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (this is one of the first books I recall reading and LOVING)
Catherine Called Birdy and Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
The Giver by Lois Lowry - seriously SO fabulous
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen - I'm currently listening to the audio version
Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe
Squashed by Joan Bauer
Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Makes you wonder if those school required reading lists are taken directly from banned books lists :)

Also, I've read some interesting thoughts about censorship recently. This article from the Wall Street Journal takes the opposite view of many promoting Banned Books Week. I suggest you read it, since I am going to talk about some of Mr. Muncy's points.

I agree with Mr. Muncy that sometimes advocates of the freedom to read can go too far in their statements about those who file complaints about books. They call them names and make fun of them, but it is a parent's First Amendment right to protest something he or she does not like. However, after a complaint is made, if a parent desires to force that opinion on other people, that is where he or she crosses the line in free speech. It is a fine line to walk, but both sides need to be more respectful.

I also got a bit miffed when Mr. Muncy described librarians as having "hidden verdicts" in regards to acquiring materials. All libraries have a collection development policy in place and it is almost always available to view upon request. Specific guidelines have been set forth for what will be added to the collection based on many things: the purpose of the library, the community it serves, etc. Librarians are not picking books based on subjective likes or dislikes. They have to follow those criteria and while it involves judgements, they are trained to make those judgements, which can be based on things like positive reviews in journals or popular demand. Obviously these criteria are not going to be "what everybody wants" because everybody wants something different. And each library will be different from others depending on the location, community, and other factors.

Whew, sorry for that side rant, but I don't like attacks on librarians (imagine that).

Anyway, here are a few other links to some interesting discussions on censorship, challenges, and banning:

Comments on James Dashner's post are quite interesting.
Nathan Bransford also has some questions about parental discretion vs. censorship.

Any thoughts, strong opinions, or rants you'd like to share?