Remember I said I had no plans for the weekend? Well, I was one busy girl but it was a great weekend. We went to the bookstore, I went to the gym, got the grocery shopping done and we even went to two parties. Hmm, I think I could use another day off. Haha.
Anyway I’ve got to tell you about our bookstore outing because Friday I got an email from Borders Books with a 40% Off coupon on any two paperbacks. What a thrill. We went to Borders on Friday and I caught up on a couple of magazines, had a yummy coffee drink and browsed the shelves.
I got The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, one because I love her writing and two because I think it’d be a perfect choice for the R.I.P. Challenge. And, I also got Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury in honor of Banned Book Week. Last year I read The Chocolate War during Banned Book Week and I wanted to make sure to celebrate the freedom to read again so tonight I’m planning to start Fahrenheit. Am I the last person to read this classic?
Oh but the funny thing was that when I was looking for this book I couldn’t find it. I thought, oh my goodness, they’ve taken it off the shelves! I had images of a conspiracy being afoot but finally I found it in the Science Fiction section. Is it me or shouldn’t this also be in the fiction section given that it is a classic?
So how about you? Planning to read any banned books?
I think you will like The Little Stranger, and it is perfect for RIP. I wasn’t planning to read anything for Banned Books Week, but I’m a little fired up after reading about a challenge against Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak in Missouri. I have her other book Wintergirls on my radar, and the Calgary Public Library says it’s been challenged, so I might read that one.
Dana – I think I’ll really like The Little Stranger too. I hadn’t heard about Anderson’s book being banned. Such a good book and such a shame that people get up all in arms. I wonder why it’s being challenged? I’ll have to look for that. Wintergirls is so good. I wonder if she’s working on a new book now.
Actually, I know the answer to both of your questions. I wrote about the challenge on my education blog today: http://www.huffenglish.com/?p=1539. You can also read Laurie’s blog about it: http://madwomanintheforest.com/the-power-of-speaking-loudly/. As to whether Laurie Halse Anderson is working on something else, she keeps alluding to research she is doing—I believe she’s working on more historical fiction.
I hope you enjoy Fahrenheit 451. I finally read it for the first time this past year. It is the perfect book to read during Banned Books week.
Sarah Waters is a goddess. The Little Stranger is really really good, very subtle but gothic and creepy. Perfect for RIP!
I really liked Fahrenheit 451 – I read it for Banned Book Week a couple of years ago. I hope you enjoy it!
I like thoes borders coupons…they always entice me to go to the bookstore…lol.
I read Farenheit451 last year and enjoyed it. It was in the science fiction section. I think it should be in with the classics, but oh well.
Your book choices are completely coincidental, as I finished Fahrenheit 451 about a week ago and am currently reading The Little Stranger!
Kathleen – I just started it last night and love it already! I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read it.
Sandy – She is isn’t she? I can’t wait to start Little Stranger. I’m wondering what she’s working on now.
Joanna – So far it’s great!
bookworm – I couldn’t pass up that coupon! My husband also has his own card so he bought two book so it was a great little splurge we had.
Stepahnie – Ooh, we are on the same wavelength 🙂
Little Stranger is fabulous. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I haven’t read Farenheit, so you are not on your own. 40% off would have me running to the book shop.
Dana – I’m sorry I didn’t answer back on your second comment. It got caught up in my spam! Anyway, thank you so much for the links. I look forward to reading those 🙂
vivienne – I think it’s going to be a perfect RIP read don’t you think? I can’t wait. And, I know, I was so excited about those coupons. Hope they send out more 🙂
No, I haven’t read Fahrenheit 451 yet, either. Excellent choice for Banned Books Week! (aren’t those Borders coupons grand)
I’m not planning to read anything for Banned Books Week, simply because I overbooked my ARC reading for October and need to get a jump on it. But, I’ve read Fahrenheit 451 and thought it was great. I’ve actually read quite a few banned books and the vast majority of them were terrific reads.
ds – I’m only a bit into the book but can already say “pick it up” 🙂 It’s great and quite scary actually!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – I totally understand. I probably should pay more attention to ARCs too but you know how that is. And, can you imagine people not reading all those wonderful books because they are banned? How sad.