It's Friday and Time for the Book Blogger Hop

“In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your

favorite “banned or frequently challenged book”?”

Today's question from Crazy for Books is a good one.  I've already talked about banned or challenged books in another post this week, but this is still a hard question. 

I guess my favorite challenged children's book is Bridge to Terabithia which is a wonderful exploration of friendship, life, and death.  For adult books, I would say my favorite is Of Mice and Men because it was one of those required reading books that didn't feel like an assignment. 

There are tons more great titles on the lists I've seen this week including the Harry Potter books and To Kill a Mockingbird!

I'm going to hop around and see what other people wrote about.  Happy hopping all!

Challenged Books - Interesting Titles

Julie at My Book Retreat had an interesting post.  She looked at the list of recently challenged books and asked people to comment on the books that surprised them the most.  Her post is here.

The ALA Most Challenged list can be found here.

I hadn't looked at this list in awhile.  I expected to see Harry Potter, Catcher in the Rye, and the Twilight series.  I was shocked to see Bridge to Terabithia on a few lists.  That was one of the best books I've ever read with a class of students.  It provoked the best discussion groups and really touched the kids.  It made them think and feel.  What more can we ask of a book!

I was also surprised that My Sister's Keeper was on one of the lists.  Again, this is a book that makes you think and feel.  I could see my fourth grade students from that class ten years ago loving Picoult as young adult readers. 

I am going to make a point of reading one of the books on the lists that I have never read.  Any suggestions?

Teaser Tuesday

It's been awhile since I had time to post.  The start of the school year is always hectic.  I really have missed spending time the the blogosphere!  This looks like a fun (and easy) meme.  If you want to play, click here.

My book is A Mortal Terror: A Billy Boyle Novel by James R. Benn

"That's good to know.  I've got a nice SS dagger stashed away."

"Well, see Arnold, he's always buying.  I hear he ships the stuff home, got a pal who sells it off."

This is the latest book in the series, and I'm quite enjoying it.

9/11

This is a picture taken last month at the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania.  The NPS has done a lovely job of honoring the heroes and telling their individual stories.  On this 10th anniversary, we all need to remember the sacrifices made that day for our freedoms, and we need to protect those freedoms to honor their sacrifices.

I Hit 50!!!

Thank you everyone.  I just got follower number 50!  I'm very excited.  Have a great Labor Day weekend.

It's Monday and I'm Musing

Here's today's question from Musing Mondays:

Who do you think is the hottest male/female character from a book?

This is an easy one.  Ranger or Morelli from the Stephanie Plum books.  They are both hot in very different ways!  I almost don't want to see the movie that's coming out soon.  I'm afraid the casting won't fit the images in my head.

On another note, it's been a busy week getting ready for school to start.  I have about five reviews backed up so I'm hoping to get them posted in the next few days.  I'm also excited that I'm almost to 50 followers.

Have a great Labor Day!

Musing Mondays - Fun List

   Here's this week's Musings.  Play along here.

What was the last book you…


• borrowed from the library? I can't remember ... probably something I read to my class last year.

• bought? The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman - review to come.

• cried over? I can't remember.

• disliked and couldn’t finish? Among the Missing by Morag Joss.

• read & loved? The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

• got for review? (or: got in the mail?) The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

• gave to someone else? a book about a dog to my mother-in-law but I can't remember the name.

• stayed up too late reading? Where All the Dead Lie by J.T. Ellison

What about you?