Thursday Thirteen ~ Books

Thirteen Books I Read Recently Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon - How Acheron saved Ias from being trapped as shade. We also meet Dark Huntress, Dangereuse St. Richard. Stryker as usual has come up with a plan to hurt Acheron. He has fermented rebellion among the Dark Hunters in Mississippi in order to kill Alexion (one of the few people Acheron is close too). Xirena will be reunited with her sister Simi and that may be more trouble then even Acheron can handle. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts ~ The last book in The Sign of Seven Trilogy and it's heartbreaking. Gage finally realizes he is ready to settle down with Cybil, only to discover the way to defeat the evil is for Gage to sacrifice his life. Irish Tweed by Andrew M. Greeley - It's a Nuala Anne McGrail Novel. The kids are being picked on by bullies at their school. Their nanny and her fella are the victims of an old feud. And Dermot is given the memoir of an Irish Immigrant who becomes one of Chicago's first women doctors. Why Does My Dog Act That Way by Stanley Coren - interesting book about the personality of dogs. It has a Dog Behavior Inventory, but it's better suited to dogs older then Fenris, so I didn't fill it out. I'll probably do it once he is older. Very upsetting chapter about the dog fighting industry and how they steal peoples pet cats and small dogs for bait. They actually prefer house-cats as they are usually declawed and can't harm the dogs they are training. This awful "sport" must be stopped, the people who are involved in it are truly sick individuals. Uplifting chapters about hero dogs who have saved people or other animals. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb - Dallas never disappoints. Amaryllis Coltraine (introduced in a previous book) is murdered with her own weapon. Eve finds justice not only for Amaryllis but for the man she left behind. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult ~ very sad story full of ethical issues and moral dilemmas. Charlotte sues her OB-GYN (who used to be her best friend) for the "wrongful birth" of her disabled daughter. Dark Side of The Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Stryker continues his plot to destroy the Dark Hunters, this time with the help of the human police chief in Seattle. Ravyn is not only a Arcadian shape shifter he is a Dark Hunter. In cat form he can endure sunlight, the big question is can he overcome Susan's allergy to cats. Until Death We Do Part by Sherrilyn Kenyon ~ Esperetta of the house of Dracul was on her way home from a convent when her party was attacked by Turks. She was rescued by Velkan Danesti and fell madly in love with him even though the Dracul and Danesti families were sworn enemies. The Danesti's disowned Velkan and Vlad Dracul hunted the young couple down. In an attempt to save Esperetta Velkan gave her a sleeping potion and tried to convince her Father she was dead. Not believing Velkan Vlad stabbed her anyway, then tortured and killed Velkan. As you can probably guess Velkan sold his sold to Artemis and became a Dark Hunter, but this story has a twist. Velkan had bound his sold to Esperetta's so when he sold his soul and became a Dark Hunter Esperetta was brought back to life too. Now 500 years have past and they have to work out their marital problems or risk being killed by The Order of the Dragon. Airman by Eoin Colfer Books II & III ~ Tells of Conor's imprisonment on Little Saltee how he eventually escapes and rescues Queen Isabella and his family from Bonvilain. The Dream Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon ~ Arik makes a deal with Hades in order to spend two weeks as a mortal man with Megeara Kafieri ( for those who have read Acheron, Tory's cousin.). Unfortunately the deal might alert Zeus that his curse on the Oneroi is weakening so M'Adoc sends assassins to kill him. Lucky for Arik Megeara is more then she seems and has some pretty powerful allies. M'Adoc tricked Arik into going with him and kills him but never fear Megeara is willing to go to hell to get her man back. Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kennyon ~ Artemis sends Katra to kill Sin, but instead they fall in love, in between saving the world from the Gallu and the Dimme How will Artemis handle being a Grandma? Dog Training in No Time (How to Understand and Train Your Dog in Just Minutes a Day) by Caroline Davis and Keith Davis - Good tip for preventing your dog from nipping or biting; use a repellent spray. The Heart of the Matter by Paul Loeb & Suzanne Hlavacek - I didn't find this book particularly helpful or engaging.

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Civil War Tidbit

Mark Twain spent two weeks in the Confederate Army as a second lieutenant. Later he would write "The Private History of a Campaign That Failed", based on his experiences.

Thursday Thirteen ~ Thirteen Books I am Reading

Thirteen Things I Am Reading Dead Heat by Dick Francis and Felix Francis Twilight by Stephenie Meyer ~ Teen romance with a twist. The new girl in town falls in love with a vampire in her class. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer ~Sequel to Twilight. Invisible Prey by John Sandford The Civil War A Narrative Fredericksburg to Meridian by Shelby Foote The Faded Banners Memorable Writings of the Civil War Edited by Eric Solomon The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen Under Orders by Dick Francis Exocet by Jack Higgins A Fine Night For Dying by Jack Higgins The Bormann Testament by Jack Higgins Dark Justice by Jack Higgins

Alasandra's Book Club ~ Dead Watch by John Sandford

When Lincoln Bowe disappeared after making accusations against the administration and VA Governor Arlo Goodman who heads up a shadowy military organization call The Watch Men, Madison Bowe is certain The Watch Men are behind her husbands disappearance. The President hires Jake Winter to find out what is going on before it becomes a political nightmare.

Political nightmare; Lincoln Bowe's burned and decapitated body is found, IF that isn't enough to make the administration look bad rumor has it that Bowe had a package that could bring the Vice-President down. When Jake Winter attempts to retrieve the package Alan Green and his secretary wind up dead. Can Jake Winter 'fix' this mess?

Notes From A Homeschooling Mom: Free homeschool Book Giveaway

Notes From A Homeschooling Mom: Free homeschool Book Giveaway

OK, I hope I am following the rules. I am suppose to tell you Why I homeschool. Gosh there are so many reasons I don't know where to start. We started homeschooling because the public school my children attended enacted a mandatory public school uniform policy that we disagreed with. It didn't take us long to realize that homeschooling offered so much more then not having to dress our kids like clones. We enjoy the freedom to move at our own pace, the freedom to take vacations when it is convenient for us, the extra family time. There are so many pluses to homeschooling it's impossible to pick just one reason.

Choose Nine Books for Your Gift Box

HT Cocking a Snook!

How can anyone expect me to choose just nine books. There are so many wonderful books out there, some are old friends and some have yet to be discovered. But here is my attempt at nine books everyone should have a nodding acquaintance with. I would have included Gone with the Wind, but Cocking a Snook! had already listed it.

1. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
2. Love & War by John Jakes -It's part of a trilogy, so in all honesty all three books should be included.
3. Lord of the Rings by Tolkien - this is the book my boys fell in love with.
4. Artemis Fowl - It's a delightfully humorous series. Artemis is the perfect criminal mastermind with a heart of gold.
5. The Dreams in the Witch House by Lovecraft - perfectly spooky tales that are weird.
6. Since everyone needs humor in their lives something by Patrick F. McManus.
7. Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen (link to my book review, it has a sequel Flying Changes).
8. The Language of God by Francis S. Collins (link to my book review).
9. The Bible According to Mark Twain

What we are reading

American History

• George Washington and the American Revolution by Burke Davis - so far this has been Lord Epa's favourite book for extra credit.
• Jefferson and Monticello ~ The Biography of a Builder by Jack McLaughlin
• Adams and Jefferson The Story of a Friendship by John Murray Allison
• Setting the World Ablaze by John Ferling
• The Long Affair by Conor Cruise O'Brien

Sociology

• Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Banned Books ~Sandpiper, The End

Aidan and Piper stop at a Dinner to eat breakfast. Piper forgets to call Rachael before she and Aidan head for Springhaven. As they are walking along Route 7, Derek drives by in his truck. He stops and knocks Aidan out and then tries to rape Piper. Aidan comes to and gets the jack out of Derek's truck and hits Derek over the head. Aidan puts Piper in the truck and DRIVES her to the hospital.



Aidan has a concussion and has to stay at the hospital over night. Piper goes home with her family. The police find Derek and arrest him.



The next day Piper gets Adrienne to give her a lift so she can visit Aidan in the hospital. Adrienne says that Aidan can stay with her.



Daisy breaks up with Sam because he says the Piper deserved to be beaten up and raped.

Banned Book Week ~ Sandpiper Part 7

Chapter 13
Rachael falls apart the morning of the big day, but Piper helps her pull herself together. The wedding goes off without a hitch and Walker shows up for the reception. He leaves when Rags starts to grill him about his name.



Chapter 14
Nathan and Colleen leave for their honeymoon. Rags reveals that Walker is really Aidan Blankenship. Aidan was on trial for manslaughter (his older sister pushed for the trial). Aidan ran over his three year old nephew when he was backing out of his driveway and didn't see the boy. The jury let him off, but his family won't forgive him.



Chapter 15
Daisy is spending the night with one of her girlfriends. Derek throws a rock through the living room window with a note attached.

It's your turn now, Sandy. See you soon!

Not knowing who else to turn to Piper goes to find Walker. She discovers Walker is packed up and ready to leave. He advises Piper to call her father. Piper insist she can't call Rags. Piper decides to go wherever Walker is going.

Banned Books Week ~Sandpiper Part 6

Chapter Nine
Sandpiper has made some changes. After Walker started calling her Piper, she has decided to go by Piper. Rags gave her a driving lesson, on the way to Barlow they spotted Walker, walking. When they stop at the Dairy King, Walker is there and Piper introduces him to Rags. Rags offers him a lift and thinks he is weird when he refuses. Rags and Piper get in a fight on the way home.

Chapter Ten
Derek was flirting with Daisy at the beach. Rachel tries to talk to her about it, but when Piper tries to tell Daisy how dangerous Derek is she refuses to listen. Rachel agrees to watch out for Daisy since they hang out together so much.

Derek, Andrew and Hamilton attack Danny Boy (Piper's cat). Colleen and Piper take him to the veterinarian.

Nathan ask his best man to come out early to meet Adrienne.

Chapter Eleven
Piper ask Walker to come to the wedding reception but he says NO.

Gil Steinhart (the bestman) and Adrienne hit it off. Adrienne is back in the wedding. While Rachael and Daisy are out getting supplies for dinner they run into Derek, Andrew and Hamilton and Derek drops a bottle cutting Daisy's legs.

Chapter Twelve
Piper discovers that the florist doesn't have a record of the flower order and tries to fix things. After trying to clear up the confusion over the flower order she goes for a walk. She runs into Andrew and he apologizes for the things he did and tells her to watch out for Derek that he is acting weird and that Andrew and Hamilton aren't hanging out with him anymore. She walks to the Thai Seasons and discovers that it is abandoned and that Walker is squatting in a shed in the back. She leaves before he finds out she was there.

Banned Books Week ~ Sandpiper Part 5

Chapter 6
Sandpiper goes to the beach with Rachel (her son to be step-sister). Derek, Andrew and Hamilton are at the beach and they hassle Sandpiper, they also threaten Daisy. Sandpiper is really scared of them and wishes she had someone to talk to. Rachel meets a guy (Mark) at the beach, and agrees to go out to dinner with him.

Chapter 7
Sandpiper finds "Walker" and confides in him. He tell her she need to tell Daisy, so that Daisy will be wary of the 3 jerks.

Chapter 8

Daisy reveals that everyone at school knows that Sandpiper gives head and that she is humiliated to be her sister (some language that people might find objectionable). Adrienne tells Colleen that she doesn't want to be in the wedding.

Cocking a Snook!, brings us Family and Politics: Ann Patchett’s New Book at Last! just in time for Banned Books week.

Banned Books ~ Sandpiper Part 4

Chapter 5

Sandpiper is taking her English exam. She really enjoys English and likes her teacher. She is writing a poem as part of the exam. She is the last one finished and as she leaves the teacher encourages her to take Honors English next year. Sandpiper reveals that she doesn't think that she would do well in an Honors English class and tells the teacher that she is the reason she did so well in her class. The teacher tells her the Honors English teacher also writes poetry and that she thinks Sandpiper would like her. Sandpiper agrees to think about it. As she is leaving she runs into her former friends Melissa and Allie and is sad that they are no longer close. When she gets home her Mother is busy trying to figure out who is coming to the wedding. She questions Sandpiper about why Melissa wouldn't want to attend the wedding. Sandpiper also discovers that Rags (her Dad) is planning to bring Laura King to the wedding and that he is serious about her. Sandpiper reveals that she misses spending time with her Dad.

Visit Cocking a Snook! Banned Books 2007: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid (Again) for more post on banned books.

If you are participating in banned book week leave a comment and I will be happy to link to you.

Banned Book Week ~ Sandpiper Part 3

Chapter 4 - (nothing anyone could possibly object to) Sandpiper finds Walker at the cemetery. They watch the sunset then walk to Weewinnet Beach where Walker finds a Duckfoot shell and gives it to Sandpiper. She learns that he visit the library in the morning when it's empty except for old men reading the paper and that he lives in an apartment behind the Thai Seasons restaurant. He still won't tell her his name. She thinks about her friends Allie and Melissa and why they don't hang out anymore, and how they look down on her. Then she leaves to go home.

At the end of every chapter is a poem written by Sandpiper. This one I really like so I am including it here.

Duckfoot

Shell with an angel wing, yellow
on the outside, pure white

inside, a weatherless tornado,

churning and hollow.

Boy with a leather jacket, quiet

on the outside, turbulent

inside. Sometimes his black eyes

churn; sometimes they're hollow.

Girl with an attitude, fearless

on the outside, paralyzed

inside. Her perfect shell covers

a churning heart, a hollow hell.

~Sandpiper Hollow Ragsdale

Banned Book Week ~Sandpiper Part 2

Chapter 3 -After her American History exam, Sandpiper heads into town to get lunch (she also hopes to see "Walker"). While she is at the dinner Derek & Andrew (2 guys she had briefly hooked up with) and their friend Hamilton come into the dinner and start hassling her and calling her derogatory names (the language is what you would expect from teenage boys with potty mouths). They imply that since she gave Derek & Andrew blow jobs she is obligated to give Hamilton one (icky). No one in the dinner attempts to help her and she flees. The boys follow her out and continue hassling her. Luckily Rags (her Dad) pulls up and gives her a ride home.

We also learn that she and Rags used to be best friends and hang out together until she reached puberty. Now Rags barely has anything to do with her.

Banned Book Week Starts Today

Read the first chapter of Sandpiper and part of chapter two, so far I have only encountered two words that anyone could have a problem with (both are slang terms for the male anatomy).

She talks about how in 8th grade her and her 2 friends were desperate for boyfriends and discovered that oral sex was the fastest way to a guys heart. In high school things changed for her friends Melissa and Allie who took honors classes, joined the student council, played field hockey and got real boyfriends, but not for her. Sandpipers is still hooking up with guys, sometimes guys she doesn't even like. When her attempts to brush Andrew ( her latest hookup) off in Blessingame Park turn nasty, she calls 'The Walker" over who plays along with her act to convince Andrew she is with "The Walker" in order to get rid of him. She walks with "The Walker" for awhile and discovers that he is 18, he doesn't drive and he doesn't ride in cars. She doesn't learn his name though and he insist on walking on alone, but says he will see her around. She also reveals why her parents named her Sandpiper (a terrible thing to do to a child).

In chapter two she is meeting her Mother's fiancee (Nathan) and his daughter (Rachael) at the airport, with her Mother (Colleen) and her younger sister Daisy. After going to lunch they meet her Mother's friend Adrienne to pick out bridesmaids dresses. The dresses Colleen wants look great on petite Rachael and Daisy, but make Sandpiper look like a s*** due to her large boobs, and don't even come in Adrienne's size. The saleswoman suggest having all the bridesmaids wear different dresses in styles that suit them. (one word that some people could have a problem with)

Banned Book Week

I plan to read Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger for banned book week. It promises to be an enjoyable book, with a happy ending. I skimmed through it because of the controversy surrounding it. In my opinion it is appropriate for teens to read.

Although Sandpiper is a highly controversial novel because of its sexually explicit content, the message of the story overshadows the sexual nature of some of the passages. While these passages relate the main character's experiences with oral sex, none of the descriptions are graphic, and Wittlinger does not glorify the brief popularity or any of the subsequent emotions that Sandpiper experiences after her sexual encounters. Wittlinger delves into real life issues plaguing high school and even middle school students; and regardless of whether or not adults agree on the subject matter, the issues exist in the lives of teens today. Sexual promiscuity, sibling relationships, divorce and remarriage, and dealing with rape are all presented through the eyes of a social outcast. Other issues that teens can relate to are the pressures to conform and the early maturation of young girls and the troubles that may follow suit. The sensitive issue of rape is dealt with in a mature manner as Wittlinger suggests that speaking out is the only option for women to achieve justice, despite the obstacles that follow when they are often blamed for the rape. The novel has a place within the high school classroom as an option for choice reading because the novel touches on many issues affecting teens today. The novel could also be used as an introduction to writing poetry, as throughout the novel Sandpiper writes her own poems as a means to cope with her chaotic life. Her poems are accessible and poignant, and an excellent example of how poetry can be engaging and insightful. Wittlinger's message points to the abundance of support surrounding teenagers, and most importantly, that everyone has the ability to change.

I wonder if Lysa Harding really picked the book out at random as she insist or if the poor girl wanted to learn about the life her Granny is determined to protect everyone who visits the library from. The issues that unfortunately many of today's teens do have to deal with. Teens must be given the chance to read books that are relevant to the issues they face if we want them to enjoy reading. By allowing teens to read books that are relevant to their lives (or the lives of their friends) and interesting we will encourage a love of reading that will last their whole lives.

JoAn Karkos & Lysa Harding steal books to keep people from reading them

JoAn Karkos said she was "horrified" by the content of an acclaimed sex education book, "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health." She has checked out copies from two libraries and refuses to give them back.

Take this woman's library card away ASAP.

The book topped the American Library Association's list of the most frequently challenged books of 2005, where it was cited for homosexuality, nudity, sex education, abortion, its religious viewpoint and being unsuited for its intended age group

And this lovely Grandma is encouraging her granddaughters theft

Fifteen-year-old Lysa Harding picked a book (“Sandpiper” by Ellen Wittlinger) at random from Brookwood High’s library for a book report last week. Now, she doesn’t want to return it. Harding and her grandmother, Pam Pennington, say the book is too sexually explicit and shouldn’t be on school library bookshelves. The school library won’t allow her to check out another book until she returns this one, and that’s not going to happen, they said.

Not only should she not be allowed to check out another book until she returns the book she stole, she should receive an F for the class. She should also learn to select books that won't offend her. I am sure from just reading the review she would have some idea about the nature of the book. BTW, I was able to read the first chapter online and it's not graphic at all.

HT: Cocking a Snook!

Book Returns to Circulation

The Library Board for the Jackson-George Regional Library System voted 3 to 1 Tuesday night to make a best-selling book by comedian Jim Norton available to library patrons again upon request.

The book has been out of circulation since an Ocean Springs patron complained in August.

They do plan to change the way they buy books.

"In the past it has been our policy to automatically buy things off the New York Times Best Seller List. We have reviewed that and we have changed that procedure and will no longer automatically buy things until we have a closer look at them."

The public library's role is to serve the entire community

Karpen said that removing a book from the public library has been considered constitutionally suspect.

"Many courts have noted that the public library's role is to serve the entire community," she said, "not to reflect or cater to any specific viewpoint. In the grand scheme of things, we at NCAC (The National Coalition Against Censorship) believe that this freedom is the indispensable condition of a healthy democracy."

In the case of the Norton book, she said, one patron does not have the right to impose his view on others or demand that the library policies reflect his or her own personal preferences, Karpen said.

That invites others to demand changes in the library's holdings to reflect their beliefs, she said.

"If individuals object to a particular work, they are free to read something else," she said. "When you ban one book because of a single patron's objection to its content, you put the whole collection at risk - you've opened the door for a barrage of challenges."

Karpen also said that relegating the book to a non-circulation status is a form of censorship as well.

No book should be expected to please every reader

The trustees have been asked by the library system's director, Michael Hamlett, to decide the fate of "Happy Endings: The Tales of a Meaty-Breasted Zilch" by comedian Jim Norton. A library patron in Ocean Springs objects to Norton's book being circulated at public expense and the trustees will take up the complaint at a meeting that begins at 5 o'clock tonight at the main library in Pascagoula.

We trust that the library trustees will do right tonight by both the author and all of their patrons.

And we hope that in the future the reticent Mr. Hamlett will not be so reluctant to discuss library matters with the Sun Herald.

While the book in question isn't one I would choose to read, it was on the New York Times Best Seller List. The library has limited funds to buy books and this book has already been purchased, taking it out of circulation to appease the Ocean Springs patron serves no one. Let those patrons who choose to read it, read it, other patrons always have the option of NOT checking it out.

The bright side: Bans mean that books matter