About Books & Literature: Strike Up the Banned

If you can't see this email, click here

Books & Literature From Emily Faherty, your About Books & Literature Editor "There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable." ― Mark Twain It's true, isn't it? The more you're told not to do something, the more appealing it becomes. That's why we're celebrating Banned Books Week (Sept. 22-28) and "the freedom to read" whatever you'd like. Some of the titles and authors most commonly banned may surprise you, so let's take a walk on the wild side and see what all the fuss is about. Have You Read These Banned Classics? Mark Twain was likely speaking from experience in the quote above. His novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first banned in 1885 and is still one of the most frequently challenged books today. It's not the only classic novel that often stirs up controversy. Getting banned is almost a prerequisite for becoming a classic. Just look at this list of most famous banned books. Sounds a lot like your high school's required reading, right? Ulysses by James Joyce Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Why Was Catcher in the Rye Banned? (VIDEO) 'Underpants' on Top Maybe not a classic (yet), it was the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey that topped the recent list of most frequently challenged books of 2012. The tighty whitey-wearing superhero was banned for "offensive language" that is "unsuited for the age group." The children's series was joined by Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James (of course) and the award-winning Beloved by Toni Morrison. A few others that made the list: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson Not Suitable for Children? Captain Underpants wasn't the first fictional character for kids to get the boot and he won't be the last. But as you'll see, he is among pretty good company in this list of most frequently challenged books for children and young adults. The Harry Potter Controversy Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Search Related Topics:  book censorship  banned books week  The Usual Suspects Some of the most popular and prolific authors like J.K. Rowling, William Shakespeare, and Judy Blume are no strangers to these lists, as they are continually ranked as some of the most banned writers. Who else joins that lineup? Maya Angelou Dan Brown Stephen King Search Related Topics:  controversy  banned books  Related Searches Literature Books What Is Literature Kids Books Read Books Children Books Featured Articles Book Banning 101 for Teachers Do People Still Burn Books? Controversial Plays of the 20th Century Why Was Huck Finn Banned? (VIDEO) 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Quotes Should Christians Read 'Harry Potter?'   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Love For Your Local Library

If you can't see this email, click here

Books & Literature From Emily Faherty, your About Books & Literature Editor Did you know September is Library Card Sign-up Month? Most bookworms like yourselves have probably had a library card since you were in elementary school. I certainly remember the day my dad took me to get mine! If you have yet to get carded (or maybe you have a little reader who's ready for their own), now is a great time to join your local library. What books should you check out while browsing the stacks? Let's take a look at what our Books & Literature Guides have been writing about lately for some new ideas. Latest Bestseller Review Our Bestsellers Guide is always on top of reviewing the latest books for you. Don't miss Erin's recent review of Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford. The author of book club favorite Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet returns with his second novel and another piece of historical fiction, this time set in early 20th century Seattle. Fiction Pick: All That Is by James Salter YA Pick: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness Search Related Topics:  songs of willow frost  jamie ford  historical fiction Picks for Storm-Chasing Kids We love the top picks lists our Children's Books Guide has been creating. Jennifer recently compiled this list of the best non-fiction books about tornadoes for kids. If your child is fascinated by those twisters and all things dark and stormy, they might also enjoy this list of children's books about hurricanes. Top Narrative Non-fiction for Middle School 10 Funny Books for Tween Boys Search Related Topics:  middle grade / middle school nonfiction  middle grade / middle school fiction  Writing & Walking Can you read and walk at the same time? Probably not (unless you're on a treadmill), but we were inspired by this collection of essays on walking and writing written by our Grammar & Composition Guide. Richard makes us want put the books down (for a little while at least) and enjoy the beautiful fall weather with a walk in the woods. 10 Ways to Enjoy an Autumn Walk The Best Memoirs About Walking Search Related Topics:  classic essays  writers on writing  Happy Birthday, Stephen King! This Saturday, September 21 is also the 66th birthday of the "King of Horror" ― Stephen King. You can always use that snazzy new library card to make your way through his thrillers. Or you can wait for his latest, Doctor Sleep, the highly-anticipated sequel to The Shining which hits bookstores (and libraries) on Tuesday, September 24. Review: On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft Review: Joyland Search Related Topics:  authors  stephen king  Related Searches Best Free Books What Is Literature Literature Bestseller Books Top 10 Books Featured Articles Gore Vidal on Reading and Writing New YA Adaptation of 'Romeo & Juliet' Analyzing the Title of 'The Giver' 'Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant' Review How to Back-up Your Digital Library Review: 'Enon' by Paul Harding   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Remembering 9/11

If you can't see this email, click here

Books & Literature From Emily Faherty, your About Books & Literature Editor Tomorrow, Americans remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and pay tribute to the thousands of victims of the terrorist attacks. On this year's Patriots' Day, join us in reflection of the strength and resilience of the nation through the power of books and poetry. Fiction in a Post-9/11 World The world truly changed 12 years ago. And with it, writers found themselves adapting and experimenting with new styles and themes. From Jonathan Safran Foe's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close to Andre Dubus III's The Garden of Last Days, let's take a look at some of the fiction that was inspired by the all too real events of the day. The New Republic by Lionel Shriver Freedom by Jonathan Franzen Search Related Topics:  literary fiction  historical fiction  jonathan safran foer Memorable Non-Fiction Releases Of course, 9/11 also created a genre of non-fiction all its own. If you're looking for books on the Iraq War and the War on Terrorism, we've put together a list of the most well-written and critically-acclaimed. The Age of Turbulence by Alan Greenspan Review: The Philosophical Challenge of September 11 Search Related Topics:  war on terror  iraq war  books on terrorism For Those Who Don't Remember How do we explain what happened on September 11 to our youngest readers who weren't even born yet? While it's a tough topic for parents or teachers to tackle, these five children's books about 9/11 do a nice job of educating (and not scaring) our kids with their messages of hope and pride. September 11, 2001: Attack on New York City 11 Children's Books That Celebrate America Search Related Topics:  books for gifted children  choosing books for gifted children  holiday activities Finding Hope Through Poetry In the darkest days following the attack, many readers turned to poetry to make sense of their grief, anger, and confusion. Even in the years since, we still find comfort and inspiration in this anthology of poems our Poetry Guides, Bob and Margery, put together after September 11. Poems About Peace "Cement Cloud" by Bob Holman Search Related Topics:  september 11  poems written in response to current events  terrorist attacks Related Searches Literature New Fiction Books How to Books 9 11 Memorial Free Books Featured Articles 'Terrorist' by John Updike 'America the Beautiful' for Kids 12 Patriotic Comic Book Characters Review: 'Americanah' 'Digging to America' by Anne Tyler 'A Nation's Strength' by Ralph Waldo Emerson   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Never Stop Improving

If you can't see this email, click here

Books & Literature From Emily Faherty, your About Books & Literature Editor "There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." With these words from Ernest Hemingway, we kick off September―also deemed National Self-Improvement Month! And because nothing nurtures growth more than reading, let's take a closer look at some of the best books that help you learn more about, well, yourself. On the Pursuit of Happiness These top books about discovering what makes you happy can be an inquisitive first step toward greater self-awareness and a life of bliss. 7 Inspirational Memoirs The Best Books to Improve Your Social Skills Search Related Topics:  happiness  emotions  friendship It's Not Easy Being Teen We all remember our teenage years (maybe not so fondly). Well, it hasn't gotten any easier―or less awkward―for today's teens, as they face difficult issues on a daily basis: self-esteem, bullying, and peer pressure to name a few. Help empower the next generation with these popular motivational books for teens. 5 Must Reads for Teenage Girls The Best Health and Relationship Books For Teens Search Related Topics:  motivate your teen  books for teens  gift ideas for teens Should You Stay or Should You Go? Everyone can get stuck in a rut, especially when it comes to your job. Are you really doing what you love? Ready to make some changes if you aren't? Assess your passions and consider new opportunities with these helpful career building books for every stage of your working (or retired) life. The Best Books for Making Smarter Career Choices 10 Books Every Small Business Owner Should Read Search Related Topics:  career building books  career building  Friday: National Read a Book Day September 6 is also National Read a Book Day! In keeping with our self-improvement theme, why not celebrate the holiday with a more introspective choice? The Humanity Project, a new release by Jean Thompson, fits the bill. The novel explores its characters' motives to be good, as they each struggle with "a past they would rather forget and a future self they would rather be." Review: Outliers by Malcom Gladwell Review: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Related Searches Best Free Books Literature Top 10 Books Books Online Good Books Featured Articles 15 Motivational Books for Runners Are You Having a Quarterlife Crisis? Discover the Power of Introverts The Best Books for a Broken Heart Review: 'The Happiness Project' Quotes About Self-Improvement   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement