I was just looking at the ALA’s list of banned/challenged books from the last decade and was surprised that I’ve read quite a few of them. I think schools need to be prudent about what they put in their libraries. Books that are sexually explicit, extremely violent, or that contain other blatantly offensive content should not be placed on elementary and middle school library shelves. Schools are supposed to be safe places of learning, and books that contain extremely controversial material should absolutely be banned.

On the other hand, public libraries are a totally different matter. It’s not a public library’s responsibility to care for children, and adults should be able to read whatever they want, without censorship.

I was just looking at the ALA’s list of banned/challenged books from the last decade and was surprised that I’ve read quite a few of them. I think schools need to be prudent about what they put in their libraries. Books that are sexually explicit, extremely violent, or that contain other blatantly offensive content should not be placed on elementary and middle school library shelves. Schools are supposed to be safe places of learning, and books that contain extremely controversial material should absolutely be banned.

On the other hand, public libraries are a totally different matter. It’s not a public library’s responsibility to care for children, and adults should be able to read whatever they want, without censorship.

Michael, did I hear you correctly when you said that Stephen Hawking said that there is no God? As far as I know he never said that in any pre-publication interviews or, indeed, in his book. He and Mlodinow say in the book that science alone can answer the grand questions; a divine being is not needed.

Michael, did I hear you correctly when you said that Stephen Hawking said that there is no God? As far as I know he never said that in any pre-publication interviews or, indeed, in his book. He and Mlodinow say in the book that science alone can answer the grand questions; a divine being is not needed.

Patricia, you are correct. I misspoke.

Patricia, you are correct. I misspoke.

Great info! I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Your blog review here z4

Great info! I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Your blog review here z4

I checked out the ALA list of Banned Classics and had to laugh! The list of Banned Classics is nearly identical to my Required Summer Reading Lists from high school!

Recently, an issue has come up locally whereby a teacher is stocking copies of the Twilight series in the classroom. The books are avaiIable for the students to take home. The teacher is not teaching the books in her curriculum or talking about them in any way. The books are just there. Parents are upset. Why? Because the students are nine years old and the parents feel that the Twilight series is age-inappropriate. Having read the books, I have to agree; but I’m not advocating that the books be banned. I did suggest that the books be moved to the YA section of school’s library instead. Am I technically a “book challenger?” Perhaps, but I’m okay with that, in this case anyway.

As for Non-Missable Non-Fiction, one of the titles I’m interested in is The Mind’s Eye (by Oliver Sacks.) I recall years ago listening to a couple of Oliver Sacks’ title in audio. Unfortunately, the audios were abridged and the author himself narrated (he has a lisp;) but the material itself was fascinating. I saw his book, Musicophilia at a bookstore this past spring and was reminded of him after all this while! It may be time to revisit Dr. Sacks!

I checked out the ALA list of Banned Classics and had to laugh! The list of Banned Classics is nearly identical to my Required Summer Reading Lists from high school!

Recently, an issue has come up locally whereby a teacher is stocking copies of the Twilight series in the classroom. The books are avaiIable for the students to take home. The teacher is not teaching the books in her curriculum or talking about them in any way. The books are just there. Parents are upset. Why? Because the students are nine years old and the parents feel that the Twilight series is age-inappropriate. Having read the books, I have to agree; but I’m not advocating that the books be banned. I did suggest that the books be moved to the YA section of school’s library instead. Am I technically a “book challenger?” Perhaps, but I’m okay with that, in this case anyway.

As for Non-Missable Non-Fiction, one of the titles I’m interested in is The Mind’s Eye (by Oliver Sacks.) I recall years ago listening to a couple of Oliver Sacks’ title in audio. Unfortunately, the audios were abridged and the author himself narrated (he has a lisp;) but the material itself was fascinating. I saw his book, Musicophilia at a bookstore this past spring and was reminded of him after all this while! It may be time to revisit Dr. Sacks!

Tanya, perhaps a better solution would be to have students bring in a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian before a student is allowed to take a copy of Twilight home.

Tanya, perhaps a better solution would be to have students bring in a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian before a student is allowed to take a copy of Twilight home.

Thank you! I’ll offer that as a possible solution as well.

Thank you! I’ll offer that as a possible solution as well.

Another bit of fall non-fiction that looks wonderful is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, about the migration of African Americans from the south to the north and midwest. The reviews have been amazing – I’ve been lusting for it.

Another bit of fall non-fiction that looks wonderful is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, about the migration of African Americans from the south to the north and midwest. The reviews have been amazing – I’ve been lusting for it.

I wonder how Wilkerson’s new book dovetails with Nicholas Lemann’s The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America written in 1992.

I wonder how Wilkerson’s new book dovetails with Nicholas Lemann’s The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America written in 1992.

Great list you two! I am looking forward to many of these titles Nora will be a hoot and the cookbooks all sound good. The Bill Bryson book I have read about and it certainly sounds intriguing and fun. I know I will love reading about Conroy’s writing life.
And I hope to be able to catch part of your live show, but ya know, big Monday night football game is on for us Packer fans!

Great list you two! I am looking forward to many of these titles Nora will be a hoot and the cookbooks all sound good. The Bill Bryson book I have read about and it certainly sounds intriguing and fun. I know I will love reading about Conroy’s writing life.
And I hope to be able to catch part of your live show, but ya know, big Monday night football game is on for us Packer fans!

Thanks for reminding me of that Katie. It’s a book I sold to my stores by saying, “This will probably win a Pulitzer.” I still believe that, though I’ve only read a few chapters. Yes, it’s still on my nightstand!

Thanks for reminding me of that Katie. It’s a book I sold to my stores by saying, “This will probably win a Pulitzer.” I still believe that, though I’ve only read a few chapters. Yes, it’s still on my nightstand!

[...] libraries vs. public libraries. Thank you both for your blog comments! Also in the comments, Tanya shared her thoughts about age-appropriateness and book [...]

Looks like I’ll have to scope out some new cookbooks for my Weekend Cooking features. Conroy, Bryson, and Dylan too? Great fall.

I don’t know if any of you guys have ever read this booklet but this is a one of the most powerful booklet especially since it concerns religion and as Stephen Hawking’s book is mentioned in this podcast I thought that I should recommend it.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B9dPbKpUVU7SMzU4YmU1YjgtYmQ2NC00MDRmLWFmNzMtMzg5MDFkMWJiYjMx&hl=en

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