Sticking it to The Man: Banned Books Week, 2014

Banned Books Week started this past Sunday, September 21, as librarians, journalists, readers and educators across America celebrate the freedom to read. 

From the American Library Association website (ala.org):

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Check out the frequently challenged books section to explore the issues and controversies around book challenges and book banning. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.

Check out the link above for a list of some of the most frequently challenged titles in the US over the years, or stop in to the library and check out our display of titles which have been banned or challenged--I promise, we will let you take them out!

On Reading: The Battle of the Sexes

I've got something a little controversial I'd like to talk about today: Men's books versus Women's books.  Lately, I've heard these labels thrown around quite a bit, and I finally decided it was something that I wanted to post about.  For starters, there seems to be a fairly widely-accepted "rule" among readers that there is such a thing as a man's book or a women's book, although there is some disagreement about what each of these categories entails.  For some, the belief is that women prefer genres like cozy mysteries, romance novels, and family sagas...to the exclusion of all else.  If you've read my blog for awhile, you'll know that these particular stereotypes do not hold true for this particular lady!  And in my experience in libraries over the last fifteen years, the stereotype really must be taken with a grain of salt--some women do enjoy these genres, sure, but many also love horror, thrillers, suspense, science fiction, fantasy and other books that tend to fall under the "men's" stereotype when it comes to fiction.  On the other side of the coin, I know quite a few men who really enjoy reading family sagas and mysteries (and perhaps even the occasional romance novel).

There is also the question of these same issues when looking at nonfiction books, too.  Military history?  Obviously a man's book, right?  Cookbooks are women's territory?  Not so much.  Even within subjects, there are discrepancies.  If you're browsing yard care, the landscaping and deck-building books are men's subjects, but flower and vegetable gardening must be the most popular with women, right?  Nope! 

Where am I going with all of this?  That there is no such thing (in my opinion) as a man's book or a woman's book when it comes to subject matter or genre.  How limiting and boring it seems to this librarian, to only walk down certain aisles of the library or to ignore whole shelves of books there for the reading.  Look beyond the us versus them mentality the next time you're browsing for something to read--you just might be surprised at what strikes your fancy.

On Reading: Good Books

I mentioned in my last post that sometimes "good" is a subjective term when it comes to books, because everyone's tastes are so different.  Critics and reviewers can give readers guidelines and their opinions, certainly, but often public opinions vary greatly from those of the critics, and this "at-odds" works in both directions.  By that, I mean that if something garners critical praise and even wins awards, readers may not embrace it, and alternately, critics may be ambivalent about or even pan a book, and yet it wins great praise from readers or simply plenty of hype.

Take three of 2012's big titles: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling and NW by Zadie Smith.  All were extremely well written, and received (by and large) lots of publicity (mostly good) and critical praise.  And yet?  Readers I have spoken with are a 50/50 split on all three titles, with little room for "gray area".  Gone Girl?  Was either a great twist on the modern thriller or off-putting with unlikeable characters.  The Casual Vacancy was either a brilliant dark comedy or just plain dark.  And NW was either unique, fresh and honest or confusing and weird. 

Why so much dissension surrounding these titles?  Well, I think a lot of it has to do with who we are as readers and what we expect when we open a book.  If Gillian Flynn's novel is being touted as an "impressive and ingenious thriller", a reader used to the average thriller may find themselves uncomfortable with Flynn's disregard for typical thriller plot-line and formula, or put off by her difficult, disturbed and disturbing characters.  Likewise, readers have years of Harry Potter titles which have created an expectation among readers as to what J.K. Rowling's work and style is like.  So those taking the "dark comedy" moniker of The Casual Vacancy with a grain of salt might well be in for quite a shock.  Dark comedy really is not for everyone, no matter who is writing it.  And Zadie Smith, who is particularly well known for books With Teeth and On Beauty, provided readers with a distinctly non-linear series of interconnecting characters and stories, which could be jarring to those with different expectations.

If a book succeeds or fails, is good or bad, based at least in part on what a reader expects of it, if anything, is there such a thing as a bad book?  In this, I am going to go ahead and say...yes.  Poorly written, poorly plotted, one-dimensional characters or, my pet peeve, characters who suddenly start behaving in a completely different manner for no apparent reason--all of these things can make for an unsatisfying read.  The one that comes to mind from this past year, I'm afraid, is Fifty Shades of Grey.  Sure, it got a ton of hype, mostly because of its subject matter.  But I have to raise an eyebrow if anyone tries to tell me that it's the best book ever, that they loved it and it's their favorite book of all time.  Because seriously, it was self-published and could have used a number of rounds with an editor before it hit the market.  There are some great self-published books out there, don't get me wrong, especially now with Amazon's e-book market booming.  Fifty Shades, however, just isn't one of them. 

What do you think?  What makes a book good, in your opinion?  Any examples you'd like to share?

What to read? Three on Thursday

Such a loaded question, this one.  What to read?  What should I read next?  There are lists upon lists, and hundreds of websites designed to answer just this question.  But then, where does one start with these lists?  Here are some of my favorite lists when I'm looking for a little inspiration...

Modern Library's 100 Best Novels:  Established 95 years ago, Modern Library is an icon for readers.  Their list is actually several lists in one, containing both a list of titles voted on by their board and another by their readers.  They've also included a list of non-fiction, if that's your preference, and included the Radcliffe rival list.  Now, these lists were compiled in 1997-98, but if you're looking for some classics that you've missed, or just a little inspiration or exploration in your reading list, this is a great place to start.  (Note, this is the same list that the New York Times has printed, so why not go direct to the source?)

If you're really looking to broaden your horizons and try some authors you haven't heard of, check in across the pond with The Guardian (UK) list of 1000 books everyone must read.  Divided by genre and including a great assortment of classics, modern classics, and popular titles (everything from Michael Crichton to Voltaire, mind-boggling), this is very comprehensive and really kind of fantastic.  In fact, I'm tempted to make this one a challenge of some sort for myself in the future. 

What I've found is that a lot of the lists out there are kind of highbrow and a little forbidding, with obscure titles or lots of titles that look like something a deep, thoughtful college student might carry around to attract some deep, thoughtful person of the opposite sex, pretending to read said title for fun.  And really, while some of those titles are amazing, I'm not always interested in reading something that's going to be a challenge. 

So my third recommended list is the best-selling titles of all time.  There are actually some surprises on there, and a number of popular fiction titles, too.  Worth a browse through, if only to stop and say, "Really?  Seriously?  THAT?!" a time or two.

Hope you've found a little inspiration, and happy reading!



 

On Re-Reading, part 1

Re-reading, like reading, is personal.  Some engage in it occasionally, others never, others often.  A much-loved character pulls us back to visit again and again.  A brushing-up before a new installment to a series is published, perhaps.  Maybe a title you haven't read in years but pick back up for a book club or to read along with friends and family.  The reasons are as varied as the readers and the books themselves.  My own choices are varied, too, as are the formats in which I choose to re-read (or re-listen) them. So what does this librarian pick up more than once?

Bag of Bones, by Stephen King.  I talk about Mr. King's work a lot here, and I've read just about all of it.  Yet it's this one, part ghost story, part love story, that I come back to over and over.  I also prefer to listen to it in audio format, as Stephen King does a phenomenal job narrating--I think it takes a lot of exposure and a keen ear to get the Boston and Maine accents just right, and he does a fine job, in my opinion.   For me, the pleasure is in the journey here, creepy details, longing, ominous foreshadowing, and characters that wind up etched in your brain. You can read my full review here.  Also, if you have read it and liked it, do yourself a favor and skip the A&E miniseries.

Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver.  Some authors are great narrators for their own work, others are not (I'm looking at you, Anne Rice).  Kingsolver, like Stephen King, is one of the former and my preference is to listen to this book when possible.  Sweet and leisurely, full of loss and hope during one voluptuous summer in an isolated part of Appalachia--a specialty of Kingsolver's.  Somehow, I always pick up new details with each reading of this book, and her imagery is so clear, I can see much of it very clearly even now, more than a year since my last reading.

Both of these novels also take place during slow, hot summers, so if you're looking to recapture some of that golden glow even as we head into autumn, stop by and pick up a copy!

Three Thoughts on Thursday

We're in the thick of summer reading here at the library, and ordering new books that will be released this fall.  My list of books I want to read just grows and grows, no matter how fast I read.  And I got to thinking. 

1. How do you, non-librarian readers, find out about new books coming out?  Television or print ads?  Listserv emails or blogs?  Author websites?  I'd love to hear in the comments.  (I read an average of eleven professional journals each month, full of reviews.  And sometimes they miss things, too!)

2. Do you keep a formal list of what you've read, and what you want to read?  I do keep one of the former, but I don't keep an official "to read" list beyond what I place on request at the library and on Overdrive for my Kindle.  I have a Goodreads account, but I am sorely remiss in maintaining it.  Anyone else use Goodreads? 

3. What genres would you like me to share more on?  There are so many possibilities, but I'd like to tailor some posts more toward you, my readers.  Any preferences?

I can't believe it, but I'll be back next Tuesday to share what I've read over the month of July with you--the summer is going by so fast!  And Thursday, if you can pull yourselves away from the Olympic Games, I'll start sharing some titles that will be released in September.  In the meantime, stay cool, and happy reading!

Ten on Tuesday: Making the most of your summer reading time

Have you ever found yourself coming to the first week in September and wondering "Where the heck did my summer go?!  I didn't get to do half of what I wanted!"  You're definitely not alone.  And if you are going into this summer vowing that it will be different this time, with grand plans of how much you want to do (and how many books you'd like to have read by summer's end), I've got some hints that just might help you out.

1) Stop over-planning.  This is the big one.  If you're finding that you have some errand or appointment scheduled every single day during the week, you're forgetting one important one: YOU.  Everyone deserves downtime, even if that's just a half-hour in the evenings, better still if you can get a whole lazy summer afternoon.  This is the perfect time to find a quiet, comfy place to cool off, unwind, and read.

2) Skip the television.  Summer TV is awful, full of repeats.  If you're not a baseball fan, there's not much else going on.  (I give you a pass on the Olympics, though.)  And if you only turn on the set out of habit or for background noise, be aware of that and turn it off.  Make better use of that time.  Better yet, if you have kids, it sets a great example for them to get their summer reading done, too.

3) Bring your book along.  It's difficult to read if your book is home on the kitchen table, and you're at the beach or pool, right? 

4) Have a wish-list.  If you don't have a list of books you'd like to read, start making one.  This isn't homework, but as friends mention books they loved, or you see that your favorite author has a new book coming out (I post lists of up-and-coming bestsellers a month before their release date to make it easier for you!), add it to the list.  When you're ready for your next book or bored with what you're reading currently (hey, it happens), that list will come in very handy!  Which leads to...

5) If you're bored with what you're reading, find something else to read.  I promise, neither the book police nor your high school English teacher will come to yell at you and force you to finish what you're reading.  Life's too short to force yourself to read something you're not enjoying.  Please note, the same goes for your kids--there will be something out there that they want to read.  Even if you don't necessarily think graphic novels, video game magazines, or horror novels are what they "should" be reading, if they're happy reading them, let the kids read!!

6) Actually, don't worry about what people think about what you're reading, either.  If you're enjoying Fifty Shades of Grey, go for it.  Read what you want to read, not what you think will impress someone else.  That said...

7) Challenge yourself a little from time to time.  If your reading wish-list has things like The Great Gatsby or To Kill a Mockingbird on it, your summer vacation might just be the time to dive right in. 

8) Traveling?  Try an audiobook to kill time on the plane or in the car.  Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events or J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels are great choices to get the whole family listening. 

9) Set realistic (but specific) goals.  If you're hoping to read a lot this summer, that's great!  But don't set yourself up for something crazy like 50 books read by September 1.  That might be difficult even if you're a speed-reader.  Instead, try for something like a book every week or two over the course of the summer, which if you use some of the other tips on this list should be pretty easy to achieve.

10) Finally, enjoy yourself.  Summer reading should be about relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment. 


See you Thursday for my June Reading Challenge wrap-up.  In the meantime, happy reading!

On a deserted island

What one book would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?  This question has been posed to me more than once in my life.  My answer has been the same for at least the last twenty years: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.  (What?  It comes as a single volume--it counts!)   Why?  History, language, and sheer entertainment value.  And really, if I was to be stranded for years with only a single volume, I'd want something with both drama and comedy, murder and magic.  Wouldn't you?  Or would you?  Tell me:  What one book would you want with you in this scenario?  Share in the comments!

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend--I'm back next week with reading challenge updates and reviews!

Food for thought

With the uproar over E.L. James's Fifty Shades trilogy these last few months, one of the big debates among readers has been whether story or delivery is more important, not just in this case but in cases of all print material.  If you're not familiar, you can certainly page through thousands of reviews for Fifty Shades of Grey and its sequels on Amazon, but I'll give you the jist.

One side of this argument is that the merit of a book, any book, is in the story and characters, irregardless of style.  That a strong story is worth reading and recommending even if there are grammatical errors (it happens in books from all publishing houses, I assure you), limited vocabulary, repetitive phrases, etc.  The other camp claims that style, the vehicle which carries the story, is just as important, if not more so, as the story itself.  From this view, it's less about the destination and all about how we get there, and those on this side of the line would argue that in the case of the less well-written or -edited stories, the errors are simply too distracting to enjoy the journey.  Essentially, does the lack of style destroy the message?

I find merit in both arguments.  I won't lie.  I worked in academic editing for four years, and tend to be a bit of a stickler when it comes to grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure.  For me, reading along and enjoying a book is easily interrupted by an awkward turn of phrase or the wrong verb tense.  I know, small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, but a well-told tale is one that keeps you in its thrall from beginning to end, without lags or hiccups.  If those bumps in the road are few and far between, it's much easier to settle back into the story without much pause.  However, for me, if those interruptions are consistent enough and jarring enough, I'll often get annoyed and in some cases, I just stop reading.  As with all rules, there are exceptions, and sometimes I do find a premise or character compelling enough to follow through all the way to the end.

I'm interested to hear what others think about this argument.  How do you feel about reading books that contain multiple errors or are not very well written?  Can story trump style?

Top 10 on Tuesday: Breaking out of your comfort zone

Readers, in many cases, tend to get stuck in genre ruts.  Like the mystery reader who devours the latest installments of a dozen different series, but will complain that there's "nothing to read" while waiting for a new title to be published by one of their favorite authors.  Or the medical thriller guru who knows more about forensics than the writers of CSI, but who will turn his/her nose up at any title that doesn't involve gurneys or a visit to the medical examiner. You might not be guilty of this yourself, but you probably know someone like this and are nodding to yourselves right now.  On the off chance that you're feeling the genre rut a little too keenly these days, are caught in the wasteland between books by your preferred list of authors, or are just willing to loosen up and try something a little outside of your comfort zone, I have some strategies to get you started.

1) Try something similar.  If you're a hardcore space science fiction junkie, chances are good that a sudden leap into cozy mysteries might not be quite what you're looking for.  (Then again, I could be wrong--more on that later.)  However, moving over to something like techno-thrillers or alternate reality sci-fi might help broaden your horizons without being too jarring.

2) Find out who your favorite authors read and/or are inspired by, and use that as a reading list.  Stephen King fans, go read Jack Finney or Ray Bradbury, some of his inspirations.  Readers of George R.R. Martin who are avidly waiting for book 6 of A Song of Ice and Fire to be published (it's going to be awhile, kids) could go and read epic fantasy by Daniel Abraham or the old-fashioned space opera by James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes, which Martin mentioned fondly on his blog.  Not sure who your favorites read?  If, like Martin, they have a blog which they update on a regular basis, they'll often mention who or what they're reading.  Others will have websites with a bio or FAQ that often will contain the information, or have mentioned inspiration in interviews.  Worst case?  You can always write and ask.

3) Try reading a genre that plays to one of your other interests.  Mysteries are often especially good for this: wine enthusiasts, gardeners, foodies, world travelers, weekend antiquers, pet-lovers--there is something out there for all of you! 

4) Go back to the classics.  It's not terribly daring, no, but it might give you a better insight into your current genre of choice.  Mystery readers, try Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Chick lit devotees, many of your current favorites are heavily influenced by the works of Jane Austen.  Do a little digging or stop by your local library and ask a librarian help you find the roots of your favorites.

5) If you're a fiction reader, switch to non-fiction, or vice versa.  Chick lit humor ties in nicely with the works of Jen Lancaster and Amy Sedaris, popular authors like Barbara Kingsolver, Stephen King, James Patterson and Anna Quindlen (among many others) have written works of non-fiction, and if you're looking for a better understanding of your preferred historical fiction's time periods and figures, you could read for years by taking a stroll through the non-fiction collection.  And non-fiction readers, the same goes for you.  Anything from decorating to environmental concerns, politics to cooking, there is plenty in the fiction collection waiting to tickle your fancy.

6) Historical fiction readers, is there a particular time period in which you find yourself stuck?  Start branching out a little, or a lot! Elizabethan England got you caught up in a web of intrigue?  Move from the Tudors to the Borgias or Medicis.  Can't seem to escape the Civil War era?   Follow the Civil War into the turn of the century and beyond--World War I, the roaring 20's...  There's so much more history to soak up!  Keep it moving!

7) Go extreme and try something totally outside of your comfort zone.  Fantasy geek?  (Don't get crabby, I count myself in this camp an awful lot!)  Go read a thoughtful memoir.  Non-fiction purist?  Try award-winning fiction to get your feet wet.  Best-sellers only?  Move on to indie presses, debut novels, and quirky genre fiction.  You might just surprise yourself and find a new love in your reading life.

8) Be deliberate.  It's one glorious thing to wander the stacks and pick and choose whatever strikes your fancy.  But do you have a reading bucket list?  If you don't, you should.  Anything you find mention of that makes you think "hmm, I've always meant to read that" belongs on that list.  Once you start keeping one, read those books.  No, not to the exclusion of those idly-browsed treasures, but in addition to them.  Being careful and deliberate in what you're reading, at least sometimes, will help you start to branch out by the nature of the intent.

And on the heels of that...

9) Give yourself a challenge.  What that challenge is?  Well, that's up to you.  But to get you started, here are a few to try: pick a book outside of your comfort zone on each trip to the library (and read it), try reading a different genre every month, read from lists of award-winners or bestsellers, etc.  Guilty of always reading "short" books?  Pick up a weighty tome next time--no one's judging you on how fast or slow of a reader you are.  On the flip side, if you only take out giant books, stop judging your books by the size of the spine. 

10) Join a book club.  I'm not talking one of those "wine and cheese on a Thursday night" ones, either--those are fine, but what are you really getting out of that, other than some delicious snacks?  Being part of a well-run book club should challenge you to read books you wouldn't ordinarily pick for yourself.  Even if you hate that month's selection upon finishing it, discussion with other members about why you didn't like it will make you a better, more critical reader in the future.  And maybe this is the book-geek in me talking, but I can think of few things I enjoy more than sharing thoughts about books and authors with other readers.




What's my point in all of this?  Reading more, and more variety, makes you a better reader.  Think about it like this.  Reading in a single genre is a bit like being a picky eater.  There are so many different flavors out there, but sticking with the same familiar 5 foods over and over is not only boring, but also might make you a bit malnourished and tough to have over for dinner.  Likewise, reading broadly gives you a more expansive vocabulary, better critical thinking skills, and you'll always have something to talk about over dinner.  Oh, and your brain won't wind up malnourished, either.

Reading for non-readers

Some people are born with a love of books.  I am one of those people.

Some people learn to love reading, usually after they've finished school and are no longer being tested on reading comprehension.  But when in a person's life that happens varies widely by individual.

So, how do you get a reluctant reader interested in reading?

What do they like?  Do they love a particular kind of movie or television series?  Do they have a specific hobby?  There are so many different kinds of fiction out there, with protagonists ranging from quilters to sea-captains, chefs to lawyers.  A Law & Order fan might enjoy novels by John Grisham or Tim Green.  A foodie might enjoy mysteries by Joanne Fluke or a novel like Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray; a wine enthusiast might like The Villa by Nora Roberts or A Good Year by Peter Mayle.  A fan of stand-up comedy might enjoy the Stephanie Plum series (One for the Money, etc.) by Janet Evanovich or a novel by Christopher Moore.

And who says fiction is the only kind of book to read for entertainment?  Rock stars, television and movie actors, and politicians all have memoirs or biographies available on the shelves.  Someone more interested in interior design may prefer to peruse magazines, and superhero movie enthusiasts may prefer graphic novels.  And don't forget about audiobooks--if you're enjoying the story, I still count it as reading!

Lastly, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again.  It may take several different authors or subjects or series to find one that someone likes.  Don't give up!  There is a book out there for everyone--I promise.

When is it okay not to finish a book?

Among readers, everything is up for debate.  What genre is the best, what author is underrated or overrated, what is the best book of all time?  All are ultimately a question of personal preference, and one of those hot topics of debate is this:  is it okay not to finish a book, and if so, at what point do you stop?

It's a hard decision, and one that most serious readers don't take lightly.  Some are die-hard finishers, even if they're not enjoying the book, would rather be reading something else, and are struggling through every chapter.  Some people give a book a certain number of pages, from twenty to one hundred, and if they're not enjoying it by the time they've reached that magic number, the put the book aside and move on.

What kind of reader am I?  Honestly, I'm a mix, and I don't read by any real set of rules.  For some books, I make every effort to finish--those are usually for a book club, and with a deadline and discussion counting on whether or not I know what happened at the end, I feel more pressure to finish a book, even if I'm not really loving it.  For other titles, there just comes a stopping point, and I always know when I've hit it.  If I can't finish a book in a week, something's wrong.  If I'm glancing longingly at something else at my bookshelf, and am just not interested in the characters or story of what I'm currently reading, I know it's time to move on.  And for me, that's okay--life is too short to spend it reading books I'm not enjoying, especially since I read primarily for entertainment.  If I'm not entertained, I put it down!

Sometimes, it's the timing, and I'm just not in the mood for whatever it is I've picked up.  One case stands out in particular.  When The Red Tent first came out, and everyone was reading it, I placed a hold on it and took it home to read.  Twice.  I never got past page twenty--I just wasn't in the right frame of mind.  But the third time I brought it home, I read it in a day, and I loved it.  Weird, right?  That one taught me that just because I'm not loving a title right this minute doesn't mean that in a different time and place I won't devour it in a sitting--sometimes, it's me and not the book that's the issue.

What about you?  Do you give a book five pages or fifty to hook you?  Are you a die-hard finisher?  I'd love to know!