Banned Books Week

The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. Find out more about Banned Books Week here.

Click on the following links to see the most banned and challenged books by decade:

2000-2009

1990-1999

This week is the first time I've ever heard about Banned Books Week! I've seen a couple people post about it lately, so I thought I'd check it out. To me, reading is one of the best ways to learn about something that is new or unfamiliar. I can't imagine a world where books (some or all) are banned because they don't conform with a certain belief or image that society has. I wanted to see how many of these banned or challenged books I had read, and to figure out why they were challenged. Most of the reasons given don't seem like a reason that a book should be banned, but I guess that's why I don't agree with them!

Here is a list of the books that I've read or are on my TBR list that are also on the banned or challenged books list. Which books have you read?! (:

Have Read

- The Giver by Lois Lowery

- Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine

- The Color Purple by Alice Walker

- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 

- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

- Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 

- A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

- The Face on the Milk Carton - Caroline Cooney

- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

- A Time to Kill by John Grisham 

- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold 

On my TBR List

- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 

- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

- Go Ask Alice by Anonymous 

- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 

- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 

- Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut 

- Lord of the Flies by William Golding 

- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain 

- Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

- The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien 

- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 

- A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving 

Let's celebrate the freedom to read what we want! (: 

[Review] Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg
Publisher: Bethany House
Publishing Date: Sept 15, 2013
358 Pages
Format: paperback

Synopsis 

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show - even if it means pretending to be married to a an who's definitely not the fiance who ran out of her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth - and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

My Review

I received a copy of this book from the Bethany House Review Program in exchange for an honest review.  I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. There was so much to love about it; from the characters, to the setting in North Carolina and a little Minnesota, to the storyline of finding love and finding yourself. I had a very hard time putting down this book. Not necessarily because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but simply because I loved spending time with these characters that were created. I felt like I could identify with their struggles and fears, and what they wanted in life. I also liked that many of the characters were trying to find themselves, even if just a little piece. I'm so thankful that I received a copy of this book and really can't wait to read other stories by Melissa Tagg. She truly is a wonderful storyteller.

Buy on Amazon

Tour Host [Review] and GIVEAWAY of Redwood Violet by Robin Mahle

Synopsis

Katie Reid is living the quintessential Southern California life. A dream job and her college sweetheart, Spencer top it all off. However, she can't seem to shake the terrible dreams that have been tormenting her nights these past few months. After seeking help to find relief from the exhausting effects of these dreams, it becomes apparent that Katie is dealing with something much deeper and much more sinister. Her only solution is to delve into a past that no one wants her to remember. With the horrific discovery of a dark secret kept hidden for years, Katie is drawn into a world mired in evil and lost innocence. And only with the help of Detective Marshall Avery will she be able to channel her pain and anger. But, will he be able to contain Katie's desire for vengeance that has begun to unravel her perfect life? The first in a two-part series, REDWOOD VIOLET, a fast-paced, mystery/suspense novel, will keep you up long past your bedtime!

Excerpt 

Nearly the entire week had passed before Katie suffered through another nightmare, but in the early hours of this Monday morning, she awoke in almost a violent manner, the cause of which was becoming increasingly insufferable. She walked down the hall of their apartment when she realized Spencer wasn't lying next to her. He was in the living room, sitting on the couch. The glow from the television bounced off his face like a strobe light. Dawn had broken and a dull light filtered through the edge of window blinds. 

            "How long have you been up?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. 

            "Since about three." He shrugged his shoulders. "Couldn't sleep." 

Release date: September 27, 2013

My Review

I received a copy of this book in exchange for participating in this tour and giving an honest review. This book sucked me in from the first couple pages and wouldn't let go! It was not a good idea to start this while I had a break at work, because I didn't want to stop reading it! Katie is such an easy character to identify with and really like. I thought the author did a great job making the characters believable and very well-rounded. I highly recommend this book to those readers who like mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels. I can't wait to start reading the second novel to see what happens! (: 

About the Author

Bestselling Author, Robin Mahle, lives with her husband and two children in Arizona. Robin found her passion for writing, which later became her second career, after spending nearly 20 years in the construction industry. 

Having always been a lover of books, Robin attributes her creativity to the wonderful overseas adventures she has shared with her husband of 14 years. Backpacking (or certainly close to it), throughout Europe and having lived in England, opened her mind and with that came a steady stream of story ideas inspired by her author- idols in the thriller/suspense genre.

Through many late nights and weekends locked away in a room, Robin published her debut psychological suspense novel, Redwood Violet in the Spring of 2013. Intended as a two-part series, Robin is hard at work again writing the sequel, All the Shiny Things and is on schedule for a September 2013 release!

                                                   www.robinmahle.com | twitter.com/robinmahle

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Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews. Its all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, whether physical or virtual books. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks! Tynga posts this meme on Saturdays, but you can post on any day that works best for you! Check out the guidelines by visiting Tynga's blog!

Review Copies:

I have been waiting forever for this book to come out! So happy that I received a review copy (: 

ebook

ebook

From my mom (: 

What books did you add to your shelf this week?!

Feature and Follow Friday!

Feature and Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers. But you have to know, the point of this hop is to follow other blogs also. I follow you, you follow me. 

The general rules are: 

- Follow the Feature and Follow Hosts (Parajunkee and Alison Can Read)

- Follow the Featured Bloggers

- Put your Blog name and URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts. 

-Grab the button up there and place it in a post. This post is for people to say hi and that they are now following you in your comments. 

-Follow, Follow, Follow as many as you can. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Don't just follow, comment and say hi in the post! Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say 'hi'

-If someone comments and says they are following you, please follow back! 

This weeks question: What were some of your favorite picture books as a kid? If you have kids, what are some of your favorites to read to them? 

Well, I'm going to change the question a little and just list some of my favorite books as a kid, not necessarily picture books. (: 

I loved everything Lurlene McDaniel wrote, and I'm pretty sure I read it all, if not most of it! 

These books got me hooked on reading. I had horses growing up, so I loved stories that had anything to do with horses. Plus I always wanted a Thoroughbred and to race like they do in these books. I also felt like I grew up with the MC Ashleigh, too :) 

*Book Trailer* Dreams of the Cursed by Allie Jean

The highly anticipated second installment of the Dreamer Series by Allie Jean is coming out this

October 3^rd

^{Available now for pre-order at}

^{The Writer’s Coffee Shop}

A violent war has waged in secret underneath the notice of humanity since the beginning of time. Evil has pledged the destruction of humanity in spite of a power those that covet it could not possibly contain. Now the Warriors have inherited this fight and are honor-bound to rid the world of this ancient malevolence. By guarding the most precious, piercing light they possess—their female kin known as the Oracles or Dreamers—the Warriors have a chance against the darkness.

Chantal Breelan, plagued by horrific nightmares for most of her life, believes something is wrong with her. Why else would she have such visions of destruction? But when creatures of terror came crawling out of the shadows to hunt her down shortly after her eighteenth birthday, she discovers the truth. Her dreams become reality, throwing her headfirst into a battle wrought by cursed monsters, where death and torture lie at every turn.

Mathias is a descendant of a Fallen Angel and a powerful Warrior. He vows his life in service to pay recompense for the sins of their fathers by guarding Chantal from within the shadows. Long has he fought, shedding sweat and blood, hoping that his struggles wouldn’t be in vain. With Chantal’s life in danger, he is forced to reveal himself, yet she manages to surprise him with her fierce tenacity and strength. In his sacrifice, he finds redemption and life’s ultimate reward—a love to surpass all time.

Now Chantal has picks up the reins of her birthright and stands by her Warrior kin, by Mathias.

She’s on a mission to rescue others like herself. Yet, in this challenge, a battle of wits is exposed. New players are discovered, throwing strategies into question. When the truth comes to light, can Chantal hold her band of brothers together, or will they crumble under the weight of betrayal?

Here
is your chance to win your own copy!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dreams of the Cursed

by Allie Jean

Giveaway ends October 03, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

So, who’s excited??? Let us know what you think!

For more information, visit AllieJean.net

[Review] Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Crown
Publishing Date: 2012
415 Pages

Synopsis

Marriage can be a real killer. One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work "draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction." Gone Girl's toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniersary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with the cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter - but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

My Review

This was a really good book! I really enjoyed the writing style of Ms. Flynn and would love to read her other books as well. I started this book a couple weeks ago and like it, but didn't feel the need to always be reading it. This probably had more to do with just being busy and having tons of things going on in my life. But then, a couple days ago, I sat down and was determined to finally finish the book. When I got back in to reading it, I couldn't put it down! There are so many twists that you don't expect and the characters are quite... interesting. I never really knew what was going to happen next and then when everything started falling together, I couldn't believe it! The ending was very strange, and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I think it actually fits the story really well, since the entire story is crazy. Normally, I wouldn't like this ending at all. But like I said, it fits the story and the characters! This was a great work of fiction by Gillian Flynn, and I can definitely see what all the hype is about! I highly recommend this to everyone, especially those who love mysteries and thrillers. :)

Buy on Amazon

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish. Every week she posts an idea for a 'Top Ten' list relating to books, and encourages other book bloggers to respond and participate. All the details are listed on her site. 

This week's topic: Top Ten Books on my Fall TBR List

Well... now that it's getting colder and I'll be inside more often, my goal for fall and winter is to read and review all (or at least most) of my ARCs and egalleys! I'm so far behind right now and I feel really guilty about it. It doesn't help that I was in a book funk for a while and wasn't interested in anything. I finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn last night (review to come), so I think I'm back to my usual reading self (: Here is my list of books that I MUST read this fall - in no particular order. ** A few more than 10, but they all need to be read :) 

1. Angles in the Fire by Dan Stadler 

2. Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

3. The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

4. Dangerous: Engaging People and Places No One Else Will by Caleb Bislow

5. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

6. Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding 

7. Changes (Family Portrait, Vol. 1) by Gillian Felix 

8. Gracianna by Trini Amador

9. Why Do They Kill?: Men Who Murder Their Intimate Partners by David Adams

10. Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

11. A Serpentine Affair by Tina Seskis

12. Last Train to Istanbul by Ayse Kulin

13. Deadline by Sandra Brown 

Feature and Follow Friday!

Feature and Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers. But you have to know, the point of this hop is to follow other blogs also. I follow you, you follow me. 

The general rules are: 

- Follow the Feature and Follow Hosts (Parajunkee and Alison Can Read)

- Follow the Featured Bloggers

- Put your Blog name and URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts. 

-Grab the button up there and place it in a post. This post is for people to say hi and that they are now following you in your comments. 

-Follow, Follow, Follow as many as you can. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Don't just follow, comment and say hi in the post! Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say 'hi'

-If someone comments and says they are following you, please follow back! 

This week's question: 

It is up to you to do a kickstart campaign for your favorite book! Who are you casting for your characters?!

Hmm... This is a tough one! But I love The Night Circus, and it's in production right now to become a movie, so its pretty fitting :) I can't think of who all the characters would be right now, but here are the two main characters!

Celia: Emilia Clarke or Gemma Arterton 

Marco: Jim Sturgess 

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews. Its all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, whether physical or virtual books. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks! Tynga posts this meme on Saturdays, but you can post on any day that works best for you! Check out the guidelines by visiting Tynga's blog!

Bought

For Review

Borrowing

Free

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're early anticipating. My pick this week is:

Sycamore Row by John Grisham 

Synopsis

John Grisham takes you back to where it all began . . .

John Grisham's A Time to Kill is one of the most popular novels of our time. Now we return to that famous courthouse in Clanton as Jake Brigance once again finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial-a trial that will expose old racial tensions and force Ford County to confront its tortured history.

Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. He trusts no one. Before he hangs himself from a sycamore tree, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten, will. It is an act that drags his adult children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford County's most notorious citizens, just three years earlier.

The second will raises far more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? Had chemotherapy and painkillers affected his ability to think clearly? And what does it all have to do with a piece of land once known as Sycamore Row?

In Sycamore Row, John Grisham returns to the setting and the compelling characters that first established him as America's favorite storyteller. Here, in his most assured and thrilling novel yet, is a powerful testament to the fact that Grisham remains the master of the legal thriller, nearly twenty-five years after the publication of A Time to Kill.

-- Why I'm Waiting --

 I haven't read anything by John Grisham lately, but I love his work. A Time to Kill is the first book I ever read of his, plus I reread it in high school for an English class. I love the characters he creates, and the descriptions of his settings are unbelievable.