First, before I forget, we have a winner…
Congratulations to Valerie at Life is a Patchwork Quilt, who won my copy of The Calligrapher’s Daughter.
Woo-hoo! Please email me your address so I can get the book in the mail.
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In other news, there was some interest in a read-along for Lolita. Despite the fact that some people scoff at Banned Books Week, I believe it is important to bring awareness to the fact that books are still banned and/or challenged all over the world. The Biblio Brat celebrates Freedom from Conformity all year long, but is planning to focus on banned/challenged books during the entire month of September, not just during Banned Books Week.
In that spirit, I plan to spend September focusing on Lolita. And while it’s a short book, I do have other books in the TBR pile for the month, so I’m giving myself some time on this one. If you are interested in participating in my read-along, here is the plan:
- Week 1 (ending 9/6): Write a post about the book. This might emphasize why the book was banned, provide some background on the author, or discuss references in pop culture (raise your hand if you’re currently singing “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” in your head right now). Anything introductory in nature.
- Week 2 (ending 9/13): Read Part 1 and write a post. You can focus on your thoughts, reactions, the characters…anything up to the end of Part 1. Do you have questions for other readers? Ask them!
- Week 3 (ending 9/20): Read Part 2 and write a post, just like in week 2.
- By 9/30: Wrap-up post. Your final thoughts on the book and/or Nabokov. Or, since this is Banned Books Week, you could write about that. I’m already planning a discussion on the various covers.
If you would like to join me in this, please write up your week 1 post sometime between now and 9/6 and leave a link to it in Mr. Linky below. And please visit the other readers and check out what they have to say!
Congratulations, Valerie!
Lolita is one of my all-time favorite books. The language is so poetic and beautiful and I’ll love to read it through once again slowly next month. It would be a great way to celebrate Banned Books. I’ll start giving my introductory post some thought and publish it next week. This will be fun!
Excellent! I’m SO glad you’ll be joining me.
That Valerie is a lucky duck! I hope you enjoy the book Valerie.
I hope everyone eventually enjoys that one!
Wow, thank you Jill!! I’m so glad I won and an email is on the way with my address
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When exactly is Banned Books Week? I have a “I Read Banned Books” button that I want to be sure to wear.
I’ll have to think about whether I’ll join the “Lolita” read-along by actually reading the book, since I’ve read it before. A the very least I may join the discussion about it–I bet there will be good conversations about it!
The book is packaged, but I didn’t make it to the post office today.
Later this week, though!
Banned Book Week is the last week of September, first few days of October. I can’t remember if it is Sunday to Saturday, though.
Yes, definitely join in, even if it’s just for a post or a comment!
Congratulations, Valerie! I loved Lolita when I read a thousand years ago. Hope you all have fun with the read-along.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Monthly Wrap Up: August 2009 =-.
Thanks Beth!
and will we be twittering about it, too?!
.-= Care´s last blog ..Please Excuse the Mess/Absence =-.
Oh, good idea…thanks! I’ll have to announce the hashtag.
Banned Books Week is so awesomely important – for me I think the greatest thing is when my kids discover a book they’ve read was banned and they can give me intelligent and thoughtful reasons why certain banned books have value to readers.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Review & Giveaway ♦ Wait Until Twilight =-.