Friday, September 27, 2013

Let's Ban Bans

Thought for the day:  Doing a book signing tomorrow at Barnes & Noble. Bring your own book... I haven't written one yet.  [Daniel Tosh]

Until earlier this week, we were visiting Murphy, North Carolina, a smallish town in the Great Smoky Mountains. Talk about an ahhhhhhh experience. Just gorgeous. But we weren't there just to see the sights, and we didn't do any fishing, either... not for fish, anyway.

I was fishing for readers.


At a book signing!!!

I remember the days of sitting at book signings, playing with my pen when no one would come, and still I even then thought I was living the dream, because I had a book out.  [Harlan Coben]






This lovely lady bought TWO books... one for herself, and one for her daughter's birthday. (And she'd already read a friend's copy, so.. woo HOO!... she knew exactly what she was buying!)




Unlike this crusty ol' moonshiner. He grabbed a copy of my book mighty quick-like, but I think his eyesight needed some adjustment. He kept calling the book Hot Batches and Cold Lemonade. Could be he thought it was some kinda (ahem) recipe book?

Bottom line, we had a terrific time. The day of the signing, it poured down rain, so there wasn't exactly a long line of people chomping at the bit to get my John Hancock. But that's okeydoke by me. We met some really nice people, and we spent a few days with good friends. It doesn't get much better than that.

Now that we're home, I can't ignore the fact that this week was Banned Book Week. Since 1982, the American Library Association has used the last week in September to make the public aware of attempts to restrict or remove books from libraries and school curricula.


There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.  [Joseph Brodsky]


By lodging a formal challenge to reading material based on their own personal objections, certain individuals and groups aren't just expressing an opinion; they want to restrict our access to that material. They want to impose their beliefs on the rest of society, and thereby pose a threat to our freedoms of speech and choice. (Da bums.)

Believe it or not, many books now considered classics were banned at one time. Books written by some of our most beloved authors.

Of the nearly 500 challenges lodged this past year, these are the top ten targets:

  • Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey. 
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. 
  • Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
  • Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James
  • And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
  • The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
  • Looking for Alaska, by John Green
  • Scary Stories (series) by Alvin Schwartz
  • The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls
  • Beloved, by Toni Morrison

Know what I think? I think we should all make an effort to read at least one book from this list.


And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted anti-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those items.

So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.  [Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country]

                                    Resist ignorance: read a book!

                        Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

[Thanks to the fine folks at icanhascheezburger for granting me permission to use their images.]

89 comments:

  1. I love the pictures of you booksigning! Congratulations! I'm glad you had fun.

    As to banning books...there are some I don't think should not be available in some libraries. If it's an elementary school, books need to be age appropriate. I'm not for banning them merely considering availability in some venues.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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    1. Thanks. It was a blast!

      Agreed. Some books aren't age-appropriate for elementary school students; I certainly wouldn't want my young grandchildren to read "Fifty Shades". But in general, I think it should be up to parents to monitor their children's reading material... not a disgruntled bunch of self-appointed censors.

      Delete
  2. Hearty congratulations on the book signing! That is fantastic and the photos are great! There's nothing more rewarding than when your literary efforts are recognized and loved.

    I had no idea that there was a Banned Book Week. I remember a time when some libraries were trying to ban "Huckleberry Finn" for fear that it would inspire juvenile delinquency.

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    1. Thanks! (It did feel awfully good.)

      "Huckleberry Finn" has been a target plenty of times. Most recently, efforts have been made to change its language to "less offensive" terms.

      Delete
  3. Hi Susan .. congratulations on the book signing and how lovely to be able to spend the days with friends nearby - making it a double treat .. and I imagine the scenery in the Smoky Mountains must be gorgeous .. love the photos ..

    Then the Banned Book Week .. I have the Kite Runner to read - cannot think why that would be banned ... we have choice in the world and choose everything else .. so ban the bans, I agree ..

    Cheers and have a happy weekend .. Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary. Thanks! Yes, the Smokies are gorgeous. A rising mist actually does make them look smoky at times. In another month, when the leaves are turning, it'll be even prettier there.

      I LOVED "The Kite Runner," but I do know why it was banned. There's one horrific scene in there, but it does serve a purpose.

      Cheers to you, too. Happy weekend!

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  4. I am so sorry that my copy of your book is lacking your signature. Sigh. If only I had a Tardis, I would be at your next signing. With bells on. And a bottle of merlot under my arm.
    I have read and loved one book from the banned list, and have another lurking in my to-read pile. Librarians are some of my most favourite people - and should be cherished.

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    1. Hmmm, I could always sign and mail you a post-it note to stick in the front of your book...

      I've read a couple books from that list, too, and enjoyed both of them. I believe I'll pass on the "Fifty Shades" books, but I might have to read another book or two from that list.

      I agree... librarians and teachers are some of my favorite people.

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on your book signing and all the beautiful pictures.
    I did try to read Fifty Shades of Grey but for some reason only got half way through. I found it dreadfully boring in comparison with many books I read but then I tend to enjoy thrillers so perhaps it just wasn't for me.

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    1. Thanks. It was a lot of fun.

      I haven't even tried to read "Fifty Shades." I've heard the writing was less than stellar, and the subject matter doesn't sound like my cup of tea. So I figured with all the other books waiting to be read, no need to get that one just because the whole rest of the world seems to be reading it. Good to know it wasn't your cuppa, either.

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    2. I feel Susan that "Fifty Shades" had the wrong type of thrills for this reader. I am very broad minded but, as you said, the writing too left a lot to be desired.

      Delete
    3. HA! I know what ya mean. This ol' broad's mind prefers thrills of another ilk, too.

      Delete
  6. I am glad you had a great time at your book signing :)

    I agree with you Susan, we should all read a book from that list and no one has the right to ban any books... if you don't want to read them, just don't read them :)

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    1. Thanks. It was fun.

      That's right! Same thing for TV shows, music, and movies. There's plenty of stuff out there I don't care for personally, but I'm smart enough to know how to change the channel.

      Delete
  7. You look wonderful and happy promoting and signing your book. What a thrill it must be to introduce your new baby to the public.

    As you know, I enjoyed your book very much and have passed it on to a friend who has told me she liked it also. In turn, she has also given it to someone else with the promise that it will be returned to me.

    I read The Kite Runner a few years ago and loved it. I have no interest in 50 Shades of Grey, but Captain Underpants may fit me better.

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    1. Thanks! I dunno about the "wonderful" part, but I was (am) definitely happy.

      I'm glad to hear your friends are enjoying the book, too. That copy's getting some mileage on it!

      Me, too. I loved "The Kite Runner." It presented a unique picture of a culture so different from what we know... and made us empathize with it. Ditto "Shades". Not for me. Not sure about the "Underpants" one, either. Tightie whities are so unflattering...

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  8. Woo-hoo! A book signing! What a pleasure that must have been. I'm quite impressed.
    Book banning on the other hand is wrong, so very wrong, in my opinion. how dare "they" tell me what I can and cannot read. I well remember the librarians in our small town where I grew up, who watched me read through the kids section, obviously not every single book, then moved on to older kids books and eventually started choosing from the teenagers section, even an adult book or two. All before I was eleven. They never once refused me a checkout on any book.
    My grandson loved the Captain Underpants series when I gave them to him three Christmases ago and a few of the others you listed are on my to read list. I have The Kite Runner on my kindle.

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    1. HA! Thanks. It was a pleasure, but no need to be impressed. It was still the same ol' me there...

      It made me smile that you seemed to get fired up about the book banning. And of course, you're absolutely right. Glad to hear you have "The Kite Runner" on your Kindle. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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  9. How cool that you had a book signing! Congrats!!

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    1. How cool? About seventy degrees or so... perfect weather, really. HA! Thanks.

      Delete
  10. Congrats on the signing. I have Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade on my Kindle. What a fabulous story. I laughed and cried, got mad and happy....I think you must have covered just about every life experience going.
    As to banning and burning books....the whole idea leaves me speechless.

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    1. Thanks! I'm really tickled to hear you read my book... and enjoyed it! Thanks so much for letting me know.

      Yeah, it's hard to believe that in this "sophisticated" society we live in today, narrow-minded people still want to ban some books.

      Delete
  11. Book banning is so silly, and my older boys loved Captain Underpants!

    Glad you had a fun book signing! That's awesome. :)

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    1. Not positive, but I think some of our grandchildren read those Captain Underpants books, too.

      Thanks! It was fun.

      Delete
  12. I find book banning to be so disheartening.

    How fun it must have been to have a book signing!

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    1. Successful book-banning is disheartening. A list of books threatened by challenges is just another to-be-read list.

      It was!

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  13. SUSAN ~
    Congratulations on the out o' state book signing. You're going places!

    I certainly oppose burning books and banning them from libraries. (And Mark Twain agreed with me on that long before I was even born... that’s how strongly HE felt I was right!)

    Sing it, Bocephus!... THE COALITION TO BAN COALITIONS

    ~ D-FensDogg
    ‘Loyal American Underground’

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    1. Thanks. Dunno if I'm "going places", but we had fun in C.

      Perfect! You picked the PERFECT song to go with this post! (Thank you very much... now I'll be singing that one the rest of the day...) Really, thanks. Great song choice.

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  14. Sus. Sus, Sus! I love the picture of you at your book-signing! I would have lined up in the rain except I already have my signed copy. :) :)

    And I really appreciate the quote by Coben. What a happy-making post. (Ha! I just sighed.)

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    1. Suze, Suze, Suze! Thank you. Trust me, it would have been a very short line, so you wouldn't have gotten very wet!

      Happy-making is good. Have a super weekend, kiddo.

      Delete
  15. Whoohoo!! Totally agree with you. You go, girl! I've already read a couple of those on the list. Congrats on the book signing, too.

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    1. Yeah, I've read a couple books on that list, too. (Does that make us rebels?)

      Thanks. Happy weekend, Rita.

      Delete
  16. I've read a couple of books on the list. I would like to ban some books I don't like, but I'll just ban them from my house. The rest of you, you can read anything you want.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Ah, and we have yet another rebel who's read some books from that list. Looks like quite a few "rebels" visit this blog.

      Agreed. Some books, I have no use for, but that doesn't give me the right to deny anyone else the right to make that decision for herself.

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    2. I've always been a rebel. Shocking, isn't it?

      Delete
  17. Captain Underpants is banned? Seriously? How could they! ;) (My son has the whole collection!)

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    1. No, "Captain Underpants" isn't banned; it's just been challenged many times by people who WANT it to be banned. Nuts, huh?

      Delete
  18. Congrats on the booksigning! Glad you had fun :)

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  19. Congrats on the book signing! That is AWESOME. (I had to resort to all caps for that one.)

    I have read three of the challenged books you listed, and my kids have read a couple more than that. I can't even understand why some of those books were challenged; others I sort of get, but the reasoning is Orwellian. Control what ideas people have access to and you control their minds. Ugh.

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    1. Thanks! Your enthusiasm is AWESOME. (Me, too.)

      Yeah, you're right. It IS Orwellian. And thoroughly repugnant.

      Delete
  20. There's one sure way to get me reading a book - and that's to ban it. Who are these ignorant people? In fact I have read a couple of the above mentioned - not Fifty Shades, however, as it's just not my thing.

    Congrats on the book signing. You must be very proud of yourself.

    Oh, I lent your book to a very dear friend of mine (an 87 year old man) who positively loved it! He said he chuckled numerous times and even shed a few tears - which means you hit the spot. Well done, you!

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  21. Yep, I know what ya mean. Tell me I "can't", and I'll try to do it every time, just to prove I "can".

    Wow. I'm humbled. It's awesome that your friend loved my book, and even more awesome that your bothered to tell me about it. Thank you so much. You made my day.

    Happy weekend!

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  22. Book banning is dumb
    All should be allowed to follow the crumb
    If they don't want to don't read
    Simply as that at ones feed

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    1. Most of us could have the creed,
      "Don't tell me what I can or can't read,"
      Then there's those who think they know best,
      And want to decide for all the rest.

      Delete
  23. Hi Susan,

    Looks like I'm following Pat in the Hatt
    Or his rhyming cat.

    Well done you on that book signing. Look at your adoring fans. And y'all survived North Carolina. Yee haa!

    Captain Underpants is definitely on my must-read list. I think we should um put the skids on banning books.

    Although not necessarily to do with banning books, this is reminding me of good ol' Jerry Falwell. Y'all remember this, "The innocent world of the Teletubbies is under attack from America's religious right.
    The Reverend Jerry Falwell, a former spokesman for America's Moral Majority, has denounced the BBC TV children's show. He says it does not provide a good role model for children because Tinky Winky is gay." He based that on the fact Tinky Winky was purple, which is evidently a gay colour or color.

    Have a good weekend, Susan.

    Gary

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    1. Hi-ya.

      Yep, looks like that cool cat Pat slid in just ahead of you.

      Thanks. It was really nice to be in the mountains of North Carolina for a few days. Clean air, except, ya know, for the slight scent of horse manure...

      I'd forgotten about the Teletubbie fiasco. Ridiculous. Falwell's pals got in a tizzy about Sesame Street's Bert & Ernie, too. Jeez. As if there weren't enough real problems in the world for them to tackle, they've gotta foam at the mouth about some characters on kids' TV shows. Ooooh, I guess the nit-pickers must not like that big "purple" dinosaur Barney, either. (If he's still around...)

      You have a super weekend, too.

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  24. Check! I've read Captain Underpants - a few of them, actually - so I've fulfilled my duty. :)

    Glad you had such fun at the signing, and my goodness those mountains are gorgeous.

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    1. Good for you! I haven't read any of the Underpants books, but just judging by the title, I have a feeling they'd tickle my funny bone. I mean, my grandkids' funny bones, of course. Yeah, that's it. I'll get 'em for the kids... and maybe we can read them together.

      Thanks. Yes, the Smokies really are beautiful.

      Delete
  25. Looking For Alaska? Didn't know it was lost.
    After all, Vladimir Putin says he can see Sarah Palin from his front porch.

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  26. So glad the book signing went well. Wish I could have been there.

    Sherman Alexie is a powerful writer and why they want to challenge his books is ridiculous. And all the others for that matter.

    Banning books is for closed minded people. I'm so glad I'm not.

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    1. Thanks. It would've been totally cool if you could've been there, but NC is a BIG state, isn't it? Seems like it takes forever to drive through in en route to MD.

      Banning books is for bozos.

      Delete
  27. I envy your book signing in Murphy, NC. Not just because you have books out, but also because I love that part of the country.

    I need to read a book Any book.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Murphy really is a beautiful little town.

      As for that book? Yep, as the ads say, "Just do it"!

      Delete
  28. You must have had fun at the book signing. Congrats and all the best.

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  29. Love your book signing photos! congratulations! what an accomplishment, Susan.

    I don't understand book banning... I can understand restrictions as there are in movies and well, TV .... but banning? all a part of our history. The days when Lucy and Desi had to sleep in twin beds even though they were married ...

    Couldn't mention the word pregnant... gasp! how far we've come ... and like the old adage ... how can we tell how far we've come if we don't know where we've been... something like that... lol

    porn is something I have a hard time with. but other than that? how women were regarded and races? it's all a part of us. Tom Sawyer was going to be banned... for crying out loud...

    l'm going to copy your list and go to the library ... last time I went to the main downtown library they had a section of soon to be banned... what utter bullshit.

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    1. Thanks!

      You're right; times have definitely changed, which makes it even more ridiculous that there are still people around who are trying to "protect us" from what they deem to be "improper" reading material. Yeah. Utter bullshit. You said it, lady. (You crack me up!)

      Delete
  30. Congrats on getting published. I'm still trying. I think putting books on the banned list only helps to sell them more. Interestingly, I've read a lot of those books on the list. I guess that must mean I read racy. Funny, it didn't seem that way . . . with the exception of Fifty Shades of Gray.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks. Keep trying. You could have a point about attempts to ban a book actually promoting its sales. (Gee, ya think I could get someone to complain about my book...?)

      Good for you. No, I don't think that means you read racy; I think it means you're well-read.

      Delete
  31. P.S. Every teen needs to read Thirteen Reasons Why. I met Jay Asher last weekend.

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    1. Good endorsement. I'll definitely look into that one for my granddaughters. Thanks!

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  32. I loved both Captain Underpants & THE KITE RUNNER!! Shades of Fahrenheit 451!!

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    1. Wow! You've read Captain Underpants? Talk about an eclectic reader! I haven't seen any of those books, but I do love The Kite Runner. As far as I'm concerned, it's a fantastic book, and it's infuriating that anyone would want it... or any other book... yanked from the bookshelves.

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  33. I second Fishducky about The Kite Runner and Captain Underpants. Congrats on your book signing Susan! It was quite an honor that they invited you. Glad you made a fun trip out of it.

    Julie

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    1. Hmm, another Captain Underpants endorsement. Judging by the title alone, I have a feeling the humor would be right up my ultra-sophisticated alley.

      Thanks. It was definitely fun.

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  34. Looks like you had a great time!

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  35. Book signings are such fun! You looked to be having some - banning books? I think we should celebrate it maybe the other reaction would cause the banners to think twice. You know the bad publicity is all really good stuff as all those books climb the best sellers list to the top? Just tell me I can't and I'm there!

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    1. Definitely fun! You've got a good point... in some cases, bad publicity is better than no publicity at all. Really? Okay, then, Yolanda you CANNOT read my book...

      Delete
  36. How thrilling to have a book signing. Rain just added a little atmosphere. You look absolutely the part, sitting there with pen in hand. I'm happy for you. They are just beautiful pictures and the buyers look delighted with their books.

    I didn't know about book banning but I'm not surprised. That dame (can't think of her name ..... is it Feinstine? ) is now trying to get a bill passed defining a news reporter so that will stop all the good alternative news programs that get much higher ratings than the news media. Banning something makes it all the more attractive.

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    1. Yes, that's it! We had atmosphere, lots and lots of atmosphere. (But it didn't dampen our spirits one little bit.)

      I think you're right about banning. Kinda like telling a child they "can't" have certain foods... like fruits and vegetables... because they're just for grown-ups and very very good children. (Why, yes, my kids WERE very very good...)

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  37. First of all, I loved this post! Secondly, thank you so very much for visiting my blog with the Blitz Team yesterday and posting your very kind and inspiring comment. My recovery has been through the roof, Thank God, and is getting better everyday. Third, I've taken a look around your blog briefly (since I have sooo many more thank you's to go), and loved it so much, you've just gained a new follower. :) Until next time... Lily.

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    1. Thanks, Lily! It was my pleasure to visit your blog... you're the one who inspired ME. So nice to meet you. Welcome aboard!

      Delete
  38. What a brilliant post. Especially to read it on a Sunday morning after a cup of steaming coffee. From that initial quote (I'm still cracking up, by the way! :-D) to your adventure as an author. Many thanks. That was a lovely insight into your literary life.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Thank you, dear sir! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Greetings from Atlanta!

      Delete
  39. Yay! I love this post, Susan.
    No banning, thanks. Banning books is terrible and goes against our freedom.
    Congratulations on your signing. Thank you for sharing those lovely pictures.

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    1. Thanks, Julia.

      Absolutely. We should all have the freedom to read what we want, even if the rest of society thinks it stinks. Hey, I don;t like limburger cheese much, either, but that doesn't mean the stores should stop selling it.

      Delete
  40. ooh, you looked so elegant at the book signing, dear!

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    1. Oh, my poor man, I fear your eyeglass prescription is in dire need of updating...

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  41. Loved this post, you look so wonderful!

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    1. Thanks. I dunno about looking wonderful, but I sure did FEEL wonderful.

      Delete
  42. How cool...your very own book signing. Love the pictures of it - you look great!

    I met with two of my former teachers while on vacation in New York State last week; one of them asked what I was currently reading. After I told her, she wrote down the name of your book. (Yes, I'm still reading your book...I did tell you I was a slow reader, right?)

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    1. I know! What fun, huh?

      Very very neat. Thanks for telling your teacher about the book. I hope she reads it and tells all HER friends about it, too. So far, word of mouth has worked great for me. Thanks so much. I appreciate it. (Slow is good, as long as you don't give up on it!)

      Delete
  43. So great to see these pics from your signing. Congratulations!!! I hope you had a wonderful trip as well, love that photo of the mountains.

    And I'm a librarian so I loved the second half of your post. :D

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  44. Thanks. It was great.

    Believe it or not, I thought about you when I was writing that second part.

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