I did the book talk and several boys wanted the book. Yay and thanks for your help! I gots to read that one, too. It sounds fascinating and scary.

It's Banned Books Week, so get out there and celebrate your freedom to read!

Most Challenged Books of 2006

The university is doing some book readings several afternoons from some banned books, and of course the library had their display. I mentioned to some co workers last week (when the article was in the paper) that I really enjoy banned book week. They thought I was crazy. I tried to explain why I liked it -- some people are trying to hide the books, and instead every year it's a celebration of those books and there's more publicity.

The paper said there were 2 challenges this past year at the public library, both over movies. One was the unrated version of In the Cut, which the library decided to remove (they don't normally carry the unrated versions of movies) and the other was Breaking the Waves, which they decided to keep.

I came across a quote that reminded me of the books and decorating discussion.

"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."
- Anna Quindlen

So I went to the mountains this weekend and picked up Empire of Ivory on the way, and finished it by midnight last night.

Unspoilered response: I enjoyed it. It covers a lot of ground, there's a lot of action, and the ending was something of a surprise.

Spoilery comments: I was impressed and intrigued by Lawrence's decision at the end, and by the complicated structure of the Tswana peoples, where dragons and humans are not differentiated in the political and legal life of their empire. (Although presumably only important people get to be reincarnated as dragons.) Both of those, along with the many references to the abolition movement, really reinforce the concept of dragons as independent sapient people.

Of course, we're left with a hell of a cliffhanger. My prediction is that the treason is covered up and Lawrence loses his official position but ends up sent somehow on a mission to the New World... they can't afford to lose Temeraire, and they know they can't have him without Lawrence. But they're not going to let him get away scot-free, either.

More amusingly, SPN fans should take note of the names, personalities, and relationship of two young characters introduced about partway through the book. t snickers

SPN fans should take note of the names, personalities, and relationship of two young characters introduced about partway through the book.

Hee! I thought I caught that, but since I'm not a SPN-watcher, it didn't completely jump out at me. If that makes any sense.

Has anybody read the book of The Ring ? That the movies were based on? It's our book club selection this month and I'm wondering if it will freak me out too much. I didn't think the American version of it was very good but it caused me not to be able to sleep for DAYS. And I had to turn off the ads for the sequel and for the dvds of it because it bothered me so much.

I didn't know it was a book! Huh.

I didn't know it was a book! Huh.

I know, right? I've been saying all year that I was skipping October but then I had to miss September's book and meeting due to busy and I'd hate to miss two in a row. but I'm not reading something that's going to freak my shit out!

Good to have a scary book for October...and that's all I've got. I didn't even know it was a book.

Can someone give me the cliff notes with spoilers for The Road ? I don't want to read it without knowing how it turns out.