Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Book 'Em

I have a clear opinion on this story.

Two Lexington, KY library workers were fired for withholding a copy of THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: BLACK DOSSIER from an 11-year-old girl.
Actually, one of them kept the book checked out to herself for a year, keeping ANYONE from checking the book out.
It was only when the 11 yr old put a reserve on the book, that the software didn't allow her to renew the book so she was forced to involve another worker who helped her keep the book from the kid.

Her reason was the book had disturbing images and seemed inappropriate for children.

Like I said...I have a very clear opinion on this:
It is not the responsibility of the library or the librarian to censor reading material.

Recently, a patron complained of a book that had a lot of sexual situations and foul language and was shocked we carried a book like that in our library.
Again, we are not responsible for the content of a book, nor can we censor what our patrons read.
This wasn't a children's book, it was an adult story collection in the adult section of the library.
Correctly classifying a genre is the end of the library's responsibility.

Just like the book in question...it was a graphic novel, not a children's book. There is no word on whether the 11 yr old had parental permission to check out a book like that.
However, in this case, it doesn't matter because this library employee had the book for a year so no one could borrow it.
She was making the decision for everyone.

I truly believe that the parents need to be the ones paying attention to what their kids are reading just like they need to monitor what they watch on TV and what they eat.....I know I'm asking a lot of parents, aren't I?
Besides...unless the kids are reading Killing Your Parents for Dummies or The Complete Idiots Guide to Patricide, you shouldn't have such strict rules for reading materials. At least they're reading!

Most libraries have this same policy; children can only check out children's books, young adults can check out young adult books.
Adults, you're on your own. You'll have to be your own babysitter.
Librarians are not your moral leaders.
Some of them have sex(!) and tattoos.

The Fallout

Everyone's talking about Adam Lambert's performance on the AMAs Sunday night.
There have been several complaints about the content of his routine.

Ok, he had men in bondage attire on leashes, then he shoved one of their faces into his crotch and humped it a little.
I think he did the same to a chick on the way up the ramp.
Then he fell and took it well. He redeemed himself by grabbing his male keyboardist and french kissing him for about 20 bars.
Whatever.

Yes, we get it, you're gay. I mean....it's not a huge secret is it? We sort of figured that out before you told Rolling Stone.

We live in a world where they are still talking about Janet Jackson's boob at the Super Bowl. Just one boob and five years later people are still bitching.
That's extreme, I think.

However, I'm on the fence in this Glambert situation. On one hand, I think he has the right to express himself artistically and if that requires dudes faces in his crotch, then so be it.
But then again...it's prime time TV. Kids are watching...should they be forced to endure gross open mouth kissing between two people? I don't know.
I don't even want to see that between two heteros unless I'm watching porn.
Then again, I don't mind seeing same sex kissing in porn either! HOT!

Anywho...Adam got what he wanted. We're talking about him!

Oh and by the way....Good Morning America just axed his upcoming performance on their show.
I think that's pretty harsh, don't you?

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

What have YOU done?

Things I've done are in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Monday, November 2, 2009

The Wild Things by Dave Eggers


I purchased The Wild Things while on a regular trip to Barnes and Noble.
I actually started it when I had jury duty on Monday and didn't want to lug the giant tome that is a Diana Gabaldon novel.  This book is much shorter and definitely lighter to carry in my handbag!
I was immediately drawn into the slightly grown up version of everyone's favorite Where the Wild Things Are story.

Dave Eggers is one of my very favorite writers so I have faith that he'll do this childhood favorite justice.

An Echo in the Bone - STILL

Yes....I'm still reading it. Bits and pieces..bits and pieces!
I was a bit underwhelmed with the beginning and the middle parts of this book. Now, towards the end, it's picking up speed and really starting to "wow" me.
But something happened in the book last night that made me put it down.
I don't want to spoil it for Gabaldon lovers but it really has tested my faith in the whole Jamie and Claire saga.
I kept thinking, "You have GOT to be kidding me! Please don't let this happen."
The pages are dwindling so I know I'm nearing the end which means a major MAJOR cliffhanger for another three years or so.

Funny how emotionally involved we get. I guess that's the work of good fiction.