Slaughterhouse-Five was deeply moving. How lucky I was to see Mr. Vonnegut speak several times, and I even met him once. I lived for over 30 years in his hometown and have been a member of his library/museum since it opened. I even donated my autographed copy. The book taught me the horrors of war, and I’ve been a pacifist like Mr. Vonnegut since reading his book.
Truth is in the foundation of Creation, present in all accounts striving to understand it.
Hiding it has always been the object of rulers to preserve power and influence, and they have done a good job of it for thousands of years. Now facing the resistance are desperately doing all they can to maintain power as the The New Age is forming.
I'm always struck by the Wingnut Grievance Bubble* Eejits who seem completely ok with not just guns, but mass shootings, and NOT JUST guns and mass shootings, but guns causing mass shootings in SCHOOLS - yet freak the absolute F out over words on paper being used as devices of learning, civil discourse, and connecting. Because #TheirFreedoms.
Much like Tipper Gore's Parents' Music Resource Center music bans in the 80s, publishers should come up with a sticker/label to attach to any book that has been banned somewhere - thus ensuring everyone will absolutely read it.
*-trademark to Jeff Tiedrich of "Everyone Is Entitled to My Own Opinion"
I have a few of those banned books, I'm going to re-read them, then save them for my grandchildren to read. I will also buy more banned books and share them. What an atrocity!
As a middle school librarian and ELA teacher, I find book bans to be abhorrent, anti-American attempts to limit the freedoms of others. Don’t like a book? Don’t read it! In the age group I serve, I have to be careful to choose books that are developmentally appropriate. Some of my students are barely out of elementary school and others could take college classes successfully. This is why we need librarians. We help students choose the books that will challenge them just a bit, push their skills just a bit while bringing the stories and ideas that help them become ready to participate in democracy. But the banners fear that. Ideas lead to questions, which lead to even newer ideas. A young person might even be tempted to question the morals of a religion that enforces it’s ideas with violence. Or to see gay people as human too. Ok I realize I’m sounding pedantic and preaching to the choir. Sorry for that. Merry Christmas!
Having spent a lot of years in Fairfax County, it especially thrilled me that our school board is both educated and enlightened enough to keep books of consequence on the library shelves. When you look at libraries in the insane right schools that are empty and many are used for behavioral jails for kids is such an ironic twist to how kids should be punitively punished in empty libraries. Why not make them read books instead of removing them? But in places like Texas and Florida, with their insane world view this is normal.
America is still a great country, but with people like DeSantis and Roller Gov Abbott in charge of things we keep taking steps backwards. It's important to note that Adolf Hitler not only banned and burned many millions of books, he also bombed newspapers, which back in the day was one of the few sources of real news. Today, Trumpy wants to ban books because an educated populace will see right thru his reign of what he wants to do to all of us. It's not a shock that the majority of his more rabid fans are very likely ignorant of history and our world views of today. When you're uneducated, you are easlier to be misled.
I've never forgotten when Trumpy made a speech when he said he loves his no/low educated voters. Those are the ones without any ability to see the risk he poses because they are simply too stupid to comprehend his risk to America and even the entire world.
Peyton Place was a popular banned book at my Catholic girls' high school in the 60s. It made the rounds of students in its plain brown wrapper. How dim to think people will obey book bans. Everything is on line now anyway!
I’d just love for some of these idiots that ban books to try reading something properly subversive, say Malory Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses series. The racists *definitely* wouldn’t like that one!
If you’re interested in Regency Romance, which really are not usually my favorite books. You might want to try Georgette Heyer. They are not “soppy” and are thoroughly entertaining.
Slaughterhouse-Five was deeply moving. How lucky I was to see Mr. Vonnegut speak several times, and I even met him once. I lived for over 30 years in his hometown and have been a member of his library/museum since it opened. I even donated my autographed copy. The book taught me the horrors of war, and I’ve been a pacifist like Mr. Vonnegut since reading his book.
Truth is in the foundation of Creation, present in all accounts striving to understand it.
Hiding it has always been the object of rulers to preserve power and influence, and they have done a good job of it for thousands of years. Now facing the resistance are desperately doing all they can to maintain power as the The New Age is forming.
I'm always struck by the Wingnut Grievance Bubble* Eejits who seem completely ok with not just guns, but mass shootings, and NOT JUST guns and mass shootings, but guns causing mass shootings in SCHOOLS - yet freak the absolute F out over words on paper being used as devices of learning, civil discourse, and connecting. Because #TheirFreedoms.
Much like Tipper Gore's Parents' Music Resource Center music bans in the 80s, publishers should come up with a sticker/label to attach to any book that has been banned somewhere - thus ensuring everyone will absolutely read it.
*-trademark to Jeff Tiedrich of "Everyone Is Entitled to My Own Opinion"
I have a few of those banned books, I'm going to re-read them, then save them for my grandchildren to read. I will also buy more banned books and share them. What an atrocity!
Oddly, in late 60’s I lived in WV and read all those while at WVU. All sold in our campus bookstore.
As a middle school librarian and ELA teacher, I find book bans to be abhorrent, anti-American attempts to limit the freedoms of others. Don’t like a book? Don’t read it! In the age group I serve, I have to be careful to choose books that are developmentally appropriate. Some of my students are barely out of elementary school and others could take college classes successfully. This is why we need librarians. We help students choose the books that will challenge them just a bit, push their skills just a bit while bringing the stories and ideas that help them become ready to participate in democracy. But the banners fear that. Ideas lead to questions, which lead to even newer ideas. A young person might even be tempted to question the morals of a religion that enforces it’s ideas with violence. Or to see gay people as human too. Ok I realize I’m sounding pedantic and preaching to the choir. Sorry for that. Merry Christmas!
I loved and appreciated your story sharing. Personal story sharing connects us. It’s enhanced my life 🥰🎁
Having spent a lot of years in Fairfax County, it especially thrilled me that our school board is both educated and enlightened enough to keep books of consequence on the library shelves. When you look at libraries in the insane right schools that are empty and many are used for behavioral jails for kids is such an ironic twist to how kids should be punitively punished in empty libraries. Why not make them read books instead of removing them? But in places like Texas and Florida, with their insane world view this is normal.
America is still a great country, but with people like DeSantis and Roller Gov Abbott in charge of things we keep taking steps backwards. It's important to note that Adolf Hitler not only banned and burned many millions of books, he also bombed newspapers, which back in the day was one of the few sources of real news. Today, Trumpy wants to ban books because an educated populace will see right thru his reign of what he wants to do to all of us. It's not a shock that the majority of his more rabid fans are very likely ignorant of history and our world views of today. When you're uneducated, you are easlier to be misled.
I've never forgotten when Trumpy made a speech when he said he loves his no/low educated voters. Those are the ones without any ability to see the risk he poses because they are simply too stupid to comprehend his risk to America and even the entire world.
Peyton Place was a popular banned book at my Catholic girls' high school in the 60s. It made the rounds of students in its plain brown wrapper. How dim to think people will obey book bans. Everything is on line now anyway!
Sinclair Lewis - It Can't Happen Here
Thanks for the holiday present...I plan on reading every book!
I’d just love for some of these idiots that ban books to try reading something properly subversive, say Malory Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses series. The racists *definitely* wouldn’t like that one!
If you’re interested in Regency Romance, which really are not usually my favorite books. You might want to try Georgette Heyer. They are not “soppy” and are thoroughly entertaining.
Lady Chatterly's Lover it was considered obscene In US and ban lifted in 1959. I wonder if Fahrenheit 451 is banned ih Florida?
Way to go, Karen Smith! The Bluest Eye
Hey Mary, love the “I read banned books” button. Where can I get one? Maybe you should sell them!
Bookstores, Etsy, and the internet. Many versions out there. Happy reading.
To Kill a Mockingbird