Wow! It's the end of September already. Where does the time go? I got lotsa readin' to do.
*It's Banned Books Week starting tomorrow in the US (Sept 27- Oct 4). Hard to believe that this is still a relevant subject.
*Speaking of banned: Scholastic drops Bratz. I'm going on my soapbox for a moment. Bare with me. I'm not a fan of the Bratz although my girl does have a few of the dolls. I was against them for awhile but eventually caved. She's moved on to the Only Hearts Club dolls which are so wholesome that if you bit into one I'm sure it would taste like 100% bran. Parents all have their lines in the sand and that's okay. This isn't about the Bratz for me though.
I wish I had the last order form from the school. There were more books from Disney, Nickelodeon, Mattel than not. And the gimmicky ones that have a toy (and taxable I might add), don't get me started. I really hate all of those ones mostly because they are so poorly written and are just ads for shows and movies. I agree there should be no commercialism in schools. But did they just give into parental pressure to ban the Bratz? If you're going to do one, you should do all.
*What is with these lists? 10 Books Not to Read Before You Die.
*Revelations about L.M. Montgomery's death. I was quite surprised by this. Was I the only one?
*Good news everyone! Well, you have to look at the brightside of it or you'd cry.
*Beautiful Petit Trianon is restored.
*All the kerfuffle over The Jewel of Medina and it's underwhelming. (Links to Smart Bitches)
*Etsy Love. Now this is different: Anna Reads Eliot brooch from TillyBloom. There is a whole Reading section of her shop.
Have a great weekend and happy reading!
*What is with these lists? 10 Books Not to Read Before You Die.
*Revelations about L.M. Montgomery's death. I was quite surprised by this. Was I the only one?
*Good news everyone! Well, you have to look at the brightside of it or you'd cry.
*Beautiful Petit Trianon is restored.
*All the kerfuffle over The Jewel of Medina and it's underwhelming. (Links to Smart Bitches)
*Etsy Love. Now this is different: Anna Reads Eliot brooch from TillyBloom. There is a whole Reading section of her shop.
Have a great weekend and happy reading!
Hi, Chris!
ReplyDeleteDon't read "War & Peace" or "The Illiad"? But I loved those! And Proust, while too fluffy for me at times, was pretty darn cool to read. I'm so with him on Ulysses though. :-) I think these kinds of lists are fun, the "serious" ones and the more tounge in cheek ones. I just like lists!
Lezlie
You know, I went to a super conservative Christian high school so we had more than the average books banned. I gotta tell you, when I went to college my eyes were opened to a whole array of books. It was fantastical.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great links. Have a great weekend.
You were definitely not the only one surprised about Montgomery. I know next to nothing about her and I've only read a few of her books, but they convey such a great passion for life.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great weekend too, Chris!
I'd heard that about Montgomery before and wondered why it was such a big secret.
ReplyDeleteThat's fun that they've restored Marie Antoinette's little chateau. Makes me want to visit Versailles again. :)
Hope you have a great weekend too!
i agree with the books not to read list except for the number one book. i haven't actually read p&p yet (i tried the first time and couldn't finish because i had to return it to the library - i needed more time reading it because of the prose!), but i think it's one book by austen anybody should read if they have to read a classic!
ReplyDeleteps. thought i might let you know i'm reviving my book blog in october. :)
I hear you on the commercialism. Barbie, Tonka, etc drives me nuts in their book orders. But worse for me is Hershey Math books. Combining commercialism with unhealthy eating under the guise of learning. Puh-lease.
ReplyDeleteBut I've already read Pride & Prejudice and Lord of the Rings. Now what does that mean for me that I've already read 2 of the 10 books never to read?
ReplyDeleteWe fell for a few of those Disney promotional books, but we learned our lesson fast.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the list of books *not* to read and I hope he was being silly. I'd certainly have hated to miss Pride & Prejudice. Not sure about Ulysses. A good friend of mine is struggling through Ulysses and said he will not let it conquer him (but he's only understanding about 25% -- and he's a sharp guy).
I was definitely surprised about Montgomery.
Thanks, Chris, for reminding me about Banned Books Week for the second year in a row. What would I do without you? Thanks to your reminder, I've blogged about Banned Books Week, too.
ReplyDeleteOne person's "don't read" is another person's "must read." I feel that way about Pride and Prejudice. And as a teenager, I was just the Gandalf-worshipping Peter Gabriel fan he's talking about. We all go through phases...
Lezlie- Yes, although War & Peace was long, I'm glad I read it.
ReplyDeleteNik- Books do have power and I guess that causes fear.
Nymeth- It's funny that I hadn't heard it before considering how big she is here.
Tanabata- To visit Versailles once would be heaven! Lucky you!
Nylusmilk- Can't wait to see it. Make sure to let me know when.
John- Hershey math?! Ugh, that must be the worst.
Kim- I think it means you have good taste ;)
Bookfool- Ulysses seems like a toughy. I have bought a few of the Barbie books and wish I hadn't.
Rob- lol! That's what the teen years are for.
I was surprised...thought she died of old age, but 67's not THAT old.
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice is on that list? What??? That remains one of the best reads of my life.
ReplyDeleteYou've been awarded!
ReplyDeleteIt was sad to read about how L.M. Montgomery died. I'm glad that her family finally opened up about it, though.
ReplyDeletepride & prejudice is beautiful, i don't care what that list says!
ReplyDeletei found a great resource for getting good deals on books. it's on facebook, which is still kind of strange since i've yet to make a purchase of anything on facebook, but they have really good deals.
today they are selling Art of Racing in the Rain for 14 bucks. check it:
http://apps.new.facebook.com/argashopping/daily-deal
I was a bit suprised about Montgomery too. Just because her character Anne always looked at the bright side of things. I'm glad that it came out though. So many people suffer or have suffered from depression. The stigma that has been attached is silly. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of! It helps to have issues like this out in the open.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm off my soap box..
Chris, I took the day off of the film festival today and did a bit of catch up on my blog. I nominated you for an award.
I knew she suffered from depression - I've read one of her many biographies! - but I didn't know she killed herself. It must have been hard for her family to decide, because it will change how her books are approached, and yet we need to hear much, much more about depression and what it does to a person. Thanks for sharing this with us, Chris, and hope you HAD a good weekend!!
ReplyDelete