I didn’t even ban a book this week. I feel like such a failure.
I did read — okay, skim — Judy’s Blume’s Forever..., and have to say that it was pretty honest about sex. Much more honest then I remembered it being. It’s funny how it seems so much more alarming to read about a accurate portrayal of a beginning intimate relationship then to read a book about “burning loins.” Or Gossip Girl books. It seems much more real, and — I gather — that is why it becomes so challenged as a book.
I saw some great posts out there, even if I didn’t do much myself. Semicolon did a controversial post regarding whether there truly are any banned books in this United of America. Outside a Cat challenged us all to read a banned book this week. Liz gave us some more perspective on the topic from the front lines of the library. And I generally rely on Bookshelves of Doom for all the latest in book-banning news.
But the winner of the week (if we can call it such a thing) was Finding Wonderland, who approached each day with a new and interesting post on the topic. If you haven’t been there, please give them a look-see.
And now I am off to my high school reunion, having just left the National Book Festival. Where I chatted with my good friend Mo — along with his wife and daughter. Wish I had more time to write about it. Guess you’ll have to wait until Monday.
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4 comments:
I just finished reading Forever, and I'm not sure if I'm going to post about it. I didn't recall there being so much sex; but that either means (a) I was too young when I read it so it didn't register; or (b) I'd already read it in various adult books so it didn't register.
Overall, tho, I was disappointed; Judy Blume just doesn't hold up to me as an adult rereading. I felt that Katherine had no personality, I couldn't stand Michael, and I closed the book thinking "meh." Oh, and I was a bit impressed at how many orgasms Katherine had. Oh, and I felt old when I realized I was the same age as Kath's mother.
From a banning perspective: it's more realistic than any adult romance; and if a kid is old enough to read it, they are also reading things that are just as explicit, if not more so. I tend to think JB gets challenged because so many people don't accept that she writes the Fudge books and teen books.
Banned book week, for me, was nostalgic. All I did was blog about how much my literary life used to suck because of banned books.
Oh, and I delved into Catch-22 a bit. Skimmed would be the proper word. ;)
Cool links, thanks for posting them!
Here are some more Banned Books Week musings from my blog:
THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS
http://lgburns.livejournal.com/10768.html
AND TANGO MAKES THREE
http://lgburns.livejournal.com/11067.html
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
http://lgburns.livejournal.com/11265.html
Loree Burns
www.loreeburns.com
Wow, thanks for the link to our site! I think all that blogging was cathartic...
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