Happy Blogoversary Month

Happy Blogoversary Month
the big 13

Celebrating my book blogging years by reflecting on 13 books that stood out.

*+* 2009 *+*

Flowers in the Attic
by V.C. Andrews | Goodreads
the book that triggered the creation of this blog
*+* 2010 *+*

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson | Goodreads
blew my mind in regards to the mystery thriller genre
*+* 2011 *+*

Random Magic
by Sasha Soren | Goodreads
sparked a bunch of whimsy with author and virtual events on the blog
*+* 2012 *+*

Fifty Shades of Grey
by E.L. James | Goodreads
fun hype and hullabaloo
*+* 2013 *+*

A Spear of Summer Grass
by Deanna Raybourn | Goodreads
for the ambiance
*+* 2014 *+*

A Discovery of Witches
by Deborah Harkness | Goodreads
discovered and fell for this paranormal crew
*+* 2015 *+*

All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr | Goodreads
beautiful ugly
*+* 2016 *+*

A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara | Goodreads
emotional punches
*+* 2017 *+*

Eileen
by Ottessa Moshfegh | Goodreads
wow!
*+* 2018 *+*

Crazy Rich Asians
by Kevin Kwan | Goodreads
escape into a world of wealth with all its complications and drama
*+* 2019 *+*

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
by Olga Tokarczuk | Goodreads
championing the horrors of our world
*+* 2020 *+*

The Snow Leopard
by Peter Matthiessen | Goodreads
first co-read with fellow book blogger, Naida at the bookworm
*+* Honorable Mention *+*

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
by Ocean Vuong | Goodreads
beautiful and moving passages of painful memories
~*~
* image header source: cover for The Widow Cliquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo

Banned Books Week 2014

Banned Books Week
Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Sept. 21-27, 2014
CHECK out this cool trailer created by Books Inc. for Banned Books Week:



Top Ten Challenged Books Lists for 2013
Out of 307 challenges as reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom

Captain Underpants (series)
by Dav Pilkey
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence

The Bluest Eye *
by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

Fifty Shades of Grey *
by E.L. James
Reasons: Nudity, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

The Hunger Games *
by Suzanne Collins
Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group

A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl
by Tanya Lee Stone
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit

Looking for Alaska *
by John Green
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

Bless Me Ultima
by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: Occult/Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit

Bone (series)
by Jeff Smith
Reasons: Political viewpoint, racism, violence

~*~
* books I read in the past

What's the difference between a challenge and a banning?

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.

I plan to read a couple from the challenged books list above. One from the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey and one from the Bone series by Jeff Smith for this event.

How about you?

~*~
AND, check out the 4th Annual Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop, September 21st to 27th, here

Mr. Grey is taken

Book 3 of the series find Mr. Grey quite taken by Anastasia. But no worries, their story continues to amuse.

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

Fifty Shades Freed
by E L James
When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

WIN an autographed copy of this book!

Open to those over age 18.

Offer ends: December 16, 2012

TO DO:

As the wife of billionaire Mr. Grey, Anastasia, gets to wear beautiful bracelets by day and cuffs during nights of passion-making.

SEND me a link to a picture of a bracelet you think would befit a wealthy wife.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

Participant entries:

vvb's pick:

Abby's pick:

Freda's pick:

Mary's pick:

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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~*~
*image source for participant bracelets are sourced in comments, mr grey ecard, bracelet

-!.! I'm Your Man schedule !.!

Hero

While reading book two of the Fifty Shades trilogy you will come to a couple "hero" moments. What woman could resist those kind of moments?

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

Fifty Shades Darker
by E L James
Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

WIN an autographed copy of this book!

Open to those over age 18.

Offer ends: December 16, 2012

TO DO:

SEND me a link to a picture of a romantic hero.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

Participant entries:

vvb's hero:
Captain Awesome from tv show Chuck

Alicia's hero:
Superman from tv show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Mary's hero:
Drover from film Australia

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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~*~

Hero
performed by Enrique Iglesias
lyrics by Enrique Iglesias, Paul Barry and Mark Taylor

Let me be your hero

Would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Would you run
And never look back?
Would you cry
If you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul, tonight?

Would you tremble
If I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this.
Now would you die
For the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight.

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.

Would you swear
That you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care...
You're here tonight.

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.

Oh, I just want to hold you.
I just want to hold you, oh, yeah.
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
Well, I don't care...
You're here tonight.

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain, oh, yeah.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.

I can be your hero.
I can kiss away the pain.
And I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away.

I can be your hero.

~*~
*image source for participant heroes are sourced in comments, Captain Awesome, lady reading

-!.! I'm Your Man schedule !.!

Meet Mr. Grey

Christian Trevelyan Grey is the male protagonist of the trilogy and Anastasia Steele's love interest. Young, handsome, intelligent, business-savvy, charming, and the CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc. Upon further acquaintance with him, and later on a relationship, Anastasia finds out that there is a "dark side... -per wikia (read more)

With the movie production of this book there have been many suggestions as to who would best play the part of Mr. Grey. The top three actors in the running to-date seem to be...

Ian Somerhalder

Matt Bomer

Aleksander Skarsgard
His story begins here...

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

Fifty Shades of Grey
by E L James
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

WIN an autographed copy of this book!

Open to those over age 18.

Offer ends: December 16, 2012

TO DO:

SPREAD the word - tweet, facebook, blog, or other social network related outreach about this giveaway

In comments make sure to tell me what you did.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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~*~
* image source keep calm, ian, matt, alex

-!.! I'm Your Man schedule !.!

I'm Your Man: schedule

I'm Your Man
a virtual book event
December 4-9, 2012
HELLO and welcome to my December virtual book event that will feature some books that include love - of a different sort.

If you have not already read the Fifty Shades trilogy, this will be your chance to be teased and tortured (well, not too) to finally pick up the book or to win a signed copy from me!

I must admit - I am in the group that enjoyed the series. ;-)

If you read the trilogy, let me know in comments some of your thoughts on it and you will be eligible to win a secret prize at the end of the event (include your email).

~*~
Schedule of events:
book list and giveaway links will also appear on this post
details and links will be filled in after posted
per usual links are also on the sidebar

Dec 4:
Welcome & schedule

Meet Mr. Grey

Dec 5:
Hero

Oct 6:
Mr. Grey is taken - aww shucks!

Dec 7:
Another Mr. Grey

Dec 8:
Darker than Grey

Dec 9:
Fifty Shades of Mr. Darcy

End Credits

Dec 16:
Giveaways end

Dec 17-ish:
Announcement: giveaway winners

Books featured:

Fifty Shades of Grey
by E L James
autographed paperback
signup for giveaway here

Fifty Shades of Darker
by E L James
autographed paperback
signup for giveaway here

Fifty Shades Freed
by E L James
autographed paperback
signup for giveaway here

Story of O
by Pauline Réage
signup for giveaway here

Bad Behavior
by Mary Gaitskill
~*~

I'm Your Man
performed by: Michael Bublé
lyrics by: Leonard Cohen

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner
Take my hand
Or if you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man

If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver
Climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man

Ah, the moons too bright
The chains too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby
And I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart
And I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please, please
I'm your man

And if you've got to sleep
A moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while
Across the sand
I'm your man

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you


~*~
* Thanks to E L James for participating in a book signing at Books Inc. in San Francisco on September 25, 2012 - you rock!