About Books & Literature: Banned Books Week: Read Something You Shouldn't!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor Deep down inside, I'm a four-year-old with an attitude problem. Telling me that I'm not allowed to do something is a surefire way to make me do it. Usually loudly and directly in front of you. Banned Books Week FAQ So what does Banned Books Week mean to me? Well, clearly, it's a chance for me to scream "neener, neener, neener" (in a purely literary way, of course) at all the old free speech-hatin' fuddy-duddies who, inexplicably, make Banned Books Week a holiday that we have to keep celebrating. See More About:  banned books week  book censorship  american library association Top 10 Banned Classics Alas, I've read all but one of these, but honestly, I'm not sure if this is the week that I'm finally going to tackle Ulysses. Maybe I should try to get someone to tell me that I'm not allowed to read it. That would probably be all the motivation I needed. Censorship of Kids' Literature - A Rundown The truth is that in the modern Western world, we don't ban much of anything that is written for adults. Most "banning" (or censoring or challenging) is done with regards to children's literature, and since I am not a child (though all evidence points to the contrary), I can mostly read what I want, when I want. See More About:  censorship of children's books  banned books week  Would You Ever Challenge a Children's Book? It's actually quite the thought-provoking question: are there any circumstances in which you would challenge the presence of a book in, say, your child's school classroom or the children's room at your local library? If so, why? Our readers weigh in. Books & Literature Ads Books Top 10 Books to Read Top Teen Books Kids Reading Books Literature Featured Articles 5 Greatest Shakespeare Plays Character Analysis: Dr. Vivian Bearing in 'Wit' Amy Lowell Poems Upcoming: 'Heart of Thomas' by Moto Hagio Say Again and Again and Again Creativity Quotations   More from About.com Essential Medical Tests for Women For women, certain medical tests and health screenings are recommended on a yearly basis. Learn which screenings are essential for your health, and why. More> Finding the Right Doctor Whether you need a new primary care doctor or a specialist to take care of specific symptoms, you'll want to follow these guidelines to choose the right physician for your medical care. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   New and Noteworthy Reads 'Sanctus' by Simon Toyne 'Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness' by Alexandra Fuller "Swamp Thing #1' by Scott Snyder; Yanick Paquette, ill. Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Happy Turn-Off Week!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor It's officially Turnoff Week, a celebration which used to be known as TV Turnoff Week, but was given a more general title in order to include all screens. Including, ahem, this one that you're looking at right now. All About Turnoff Week So you should definitely make a point of going outside to play or snuggling up somewhere with a good book. Right after you finish reading this newsletter, of course. Wouldn't want to rush things. See More About:  reading aloud  encouraging reading  Is Turnoff Week a Good Idea? We asked our readers what they thought of Turnoff Week, and most people seem to fall into one of three camps: "Turnoff Week is unnecessary because we don't watch that much TV around here anyway," "Turnoff Week is offensive, because I am an adult and capable of setting my own limits," and "Turnoff Week is great because, frankly, I need a reminder." Read some of the responses, and feel free to share your own! Happy Birthday, William Faulkner! Turnoff Week happens to coincide with Faulkner's birthday this year (he was born on September 25, 1897), and it's as good of an excuse as any to tackle one of his novels. If you've never read Faulkner before, you might be pleasantly surprised. It's thick, difficult reading, but worth it for the deeply descriptive use of words, the dark gothic humor, the fantastic and complex characters, and the surprising story lines. See More About:  william faulkner  american literature  Ten Wonderful Things About Writing If you really take screen turn-off time seriously, you might find yourself needing additional activities to fill your time. Why not try a bit of writing? Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir... it doesn't matter. Here are some quotes to get you inspired. Books & Literature Ads Books Kids Reading Books Top Teen Books Literature Novels and Books Featured Articles Rooted Nook Color Review 5 Reasons Manga can be Banal and Boring The Last Oscar Wilde Play? Amy Lowell - "Patterns" Quotes From "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" Peter Drucker Quotes   More from About.com Essential Medical Tests for Women For women, certain medical tests and health screenings are recommended on a yearly basis. Learn which screenings are essential for your health, and why. More> Finding the Right Doctor Whether you need a new primary care doctor or a specialist to take care of specific symptoms, you'll want to follow these guidelines to choose the right physician for your medical care. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Book Club Discussion Questions 'The Marriage Plot' by Jeffrey Eugenides 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern 'The Cut' by George Pelecanos Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Great Books to Read in Autumn

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor I'm not really ready to say goodbye to summer, but it's quickly coming clear that I don't really have a choice. Thankfully, the waning of beach-going season coincides with the start of pumpkin pie season, so I'll cope. Good Books to Read in Fall Fall is all about change and transition, and these books fit in nicely with that theme. If you're looking for some ideas for your book club, or just some additions to your personal reading list, this is a great place to start. See More About:  book recommendations  the big burn  our story begins The Fall in Classic Literature Once again, we humbly remind you not to forget the classics! The symbolism of autumn has played a significant role in hundreds of classic works. Here are just a few great ones to get you started. Poems for Fall So many great poets, classic and contemporary, have been inspired by the fall: Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley, Browning, Sandburg, Frost... Take a moment and read some of these poems, and get into the seasonal spirit. See More About:  autumn poems  william blake  john keats Man Booker Prize Shortlist Announced Want something new to read? September always marks the announcement of the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize, one of contemporary literature's most prestigious awards. Check out the list, and get to reading! Books & Literature Ads Books Best Fiction Books Novels and Books Top Thriller Books 100 Great Books Featured Articles Comic Book Lesson Plans: Note Taking Manga Preview Gallery: No. 5 Vol. 1 Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl! Quotes From Shakespeare's Tragedies 'Twelve Angry Men' Synopsis and Analysis Emily Dickinson: 'Heaven is What I Cannot Reach'   More from About.com Favorite Summer Frozen Drinks Blended with ice or chock full of fresh fruit, these yummy drinks will liven up any warm-weather gathering. More> Best Frozen Summer Desserts Ten easy, delicious, make-ahead desserts that will cool you down on the hottest of summer days. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Everyone's Talking About... 'The Leftovers' by Tom Perrotta 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern 'Millennium People' by J.G. Ballard Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Start (or Join) a Book Club!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This time of year is perfect for starting a new book club or reviving an old one. The school year is beginning, the weather is cooling off, and tons of great new books are being released. What are you waiting for? How to Start a Book Club First things first. Book clubs are one of those things that I prefer letting someone else helm (I'm busy and lazy), but sometimes, if you want something done right (or at all), you've got to do it yourself! How to Start a Gay Book Club How to Start a Book Club at the Office See More About:  book clubs  social networking  reading groups General Book Club Questions for Study and Discussion It's easy enough to get a group of people in a room, and it's even reasonably simple to get them to all read the same book, but then what? Talking about literature is not totally instinctual, and having some good general go-to questions can really help spark your club's conversations. How to Lead a Book Club Discussion Book Club Rules to Live By See More About:  discussion questions  book clubs  book meetings One-Year Book Club Reading List Time to get down to the nitty-gritty: what books are you actually going to read? Fiction? Nonfiction? Classics? Modern favorites? Here's a sample one-year plan for a book club -- mix and match as you see fit! A Real Book Club Shares Their Reading List Selections for Many Types of Book Clubs See More About:  book clubs  reading lists  How To Make the Most out of an Online Book Club If practical considerations make a real-life book club impossible for you, consider joining an online book club instead. You still get all the reading and plenty of social interaction, but you don't have to take a shower before meetings! Woo-hoo! A Rundown of Some Popular Online Book Clubs How to Join Oprah's Book Club See More About:  book club  online  reading Books & Literature Ads Books TV Book Club Top 100 Books Literature Best Fiction Books Featured Articles Book Shower for Hurricane-Damaged Library Justice League #1 Review Review: 'How I Learned to Drive' by Paula Vogel Classic English Proverbs Taiyo Matsumoto Interview Carpe Diem Poems: Seize the Day!   More from About.com Favorite Summer Frozen Drinks Blended with ice or chock full of fresh fruit, these yummy drinks will liven up any warm-weather gathering. More> Best Frozen Summer Desserts Ten easy, delicious, make-ahead desserts that will cool you down on the hottest of summer days. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Reviews of Recent Releases 'Anatomy of a Disappearance' by Hisham Matar 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern 'There But For The' by Ali Smith Advertisement