Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: In regards to Banned Books Week (www.bannedbooksweek.org/), what are your favourite books that have been banned or challenged?

Sometimes it seems like most famous books have been banned by someone some time…the favorite that comes most quickly to mind is Huckleberry Finn, mostly because I’ve been amazed more than once at the reasons behind it.  I mean, I’d sort of get it if they cited profanity–I wouldn’t agree, but at least there’d be some logic and accuracy to it.  But I’ve heard Huckleberry Finn get banned for two other reasons.  One, that Huck rejects God when he decides he’ll free Jim even if it means he goes to Hell, which is a complete misunderstanding of the book, since the whole point is that of course Huck is doing the morally right thing.  And two, even dumber, it’s been banned for nudity.  One sentence mentions Huck and Jim don’t much bother with clothes on the raft because they’re in the water so much anyway.  Scandalous, that one.

I also heard a story somewhere hat Tarzan of the Apes was once banned because Tarzan and Jane lived together unmarried in the jungle.  This clearly was from someone who didn’t actually read the book–in the first one they’re not even together romantically, and in the second one Burroughs specifically writes in (for no other apparent reason) that Jane’s father was a minister and therefore could marry them in the wilds of Africa.  This particular misrepresentation is especially ridiculous because Burroughs in all his books is exceedingly Victorian in his attitudes around romance!

Do you have a favorite book that’s been banned?  Do you have a favorite absurd story around banning books?

Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: Have you ever bought a more expensive edition of a book, when a cheaper edition was available, just because you preferred the cover of the more expensive one?

 

I distinctly remember being in Barnes and Noble, looking at two different copies of Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey.  $6.99 vs. $4.99, exactly identical copies, except the cheaper option had the lowered price printed big and bold right on the cover, I think in a red star or something like it.  It’s relevant to note I was young enough that two dollars made more of a difference than it would today.  But I just couldn’t stand that printed price messing up the lovely dragon cover, so I bought the more expensive copy.  Considering I still have it, 15 or 20 years later, and have read it multiple times, that was a worthwhile extra two dollars!

That may be the only strict example where I went for a higher price because of cover.  I have paid more money for nicer editions–particularly old volumes, a hardback copy, or one with illustrations.  That feels slightly different, though.  The thing is, I buy most of my books unseen (online) or in used bookstores where there’s only one copy on the shelf, so there aren’t a lot of choices!

Do you buy books based on their cover?  Would you pay more for  good one?

Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: Have you ever bought a book because you liked its cover art?

Just once that I can remember.  I bought Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun based on its cover–which didn’t even have the title on it, and I seem to recall there wasn’t a plot description anywhere either.  This was a significant departure for me, since I rarely buy a book without reading it first.  But I was at my library’s warehouse sale, and this was a gamble that only cost me a dollar.  It was a good book too–and I think I was intrigued by the art style of the cover, and wondering what that heroine was thinking.

I can’t recall another time I’ve bought a book by cover–but I read books that way often.  My practice when browsing at the library is to find an intriguing title, look at the cover (usually a pretty good hint of genre and style, though not always), and then read about two sentences of the plot description.  At that point a book either has me or not.

Do you look at covers when you buy books?  How heavily do they weigh with you?

Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: When you enter an unfamiliar house or apartment for the first time, do you feel disappointed if you don’t see any bookshelves, or books on the coffee table?

I don’t know that I feel disappointed by a lack of books…but I’m happy when I do see books!  I tend to gravitate towards someone else’s bookshelves to see what they have, and if I’m impressed by their collection (which really means they like the same books I do!) I’ll let them know that.  It’s always interesting to see what books someone else owns, because frequently I’ll find out we’ve read the same author, even though that’s never previously come up in conversation.

Do you look around for books when you enter a new living space?  Do you get impressions of people based on their books?

Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: Do you participate in readathons and/or reading challenges?

I think we all know I do reading challenges. 🙂  I’ve had annual challenges every year since starting this blog, though some years have been more intensive than others. I really enjoy reading challenges, partially because of how I use them.  I don’t ever set challenges to get myself to read books I don’t want to read (well, except maybe for the “read long books I’ve been avoiding” challenge I did one year–and I ended up liking most of those book anyway).  I use challenges to focus my reading, to remind myself to read books (or book types) I actually do want to read, but wouldn’t necessarily think about all the time.

I’ve never done a readathon.  I read a LOT, but in small snatches.  I rarely read for more than a half-hour stretch.  Partially that’s a product of how my life is structured, but I’m also really used to that.  I don’t often want to read for a lot longer than that.  Well, I often think I do in theory…but I’m also pretty sure that really I’m a quick stop reader, and will get antsy most of the time if I read for a lot longer.  Once in a while I’m genuinely in the mood to read all afternoon–but it’s unusual.

Are readathons or challenges a part of your reading?