Finding Censorship Where There is None

In the name of fair-mindedness, this is the Wall Street Journal's take on Banned Books Week (which is this week, BTW!)

Teen Readers Advisory

A good site worth perusing full of good lists for helping teens find just the right book for their tastes, needs and homework assignments.

Top-Selling Titles in Chicagoland Week ending 9/20

Top-Selling Titles in Chicagoland Last Week

The following were the bestselling titles at independent bookstores in the Chicago area during the week ended Sunday, September 20:

Hardcover Fiction
1. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
2. Homer & Langley by E.L. Doctorow
3. A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore
4. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
5. The Help by Katherine Stockett

Hardcover Nonfiction
1. True Compass by Edward Kennedy
2. Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
3. Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
4. Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman
5. Lords of the Levee by John Coughlin

Paperback Fiction
1. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
4. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
5. Dragon House by John Shors

Paperback Nonfiction
1. My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme
2. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
3. Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
4. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck
5. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

DaVinci Code Reading Map

Thanks to Susie for sending this link for a DaVinci Code reading map. It's sure to come in handy!

Ellen Hopkins' blog about the Oklahoma incident

Doncha just love it when some knucklehead does something like this just in time for Banned Books Week?!?

This is Ellen Hopkins' emotional explanation of what happened to her and how it's been resolved. Expect huge crowds at her author visit on Tuesday, September 22 in Norman, Oklahoma!

Stay tuned.

New Moon, New Trailer

New Moon, New Trailer

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On Being a Good Reader---and Not Screwing It Up for the Rest of Us

Ellen Hopkins, a popular YA author several titles including Crank, Glass and Burned , was recently un-invited from speaking to students in a middle school in Norman OK. Undaunted, she offered to speak instead to the high school students, but the educational leadership caved to the vocal minority. She was not allowed to speak AND her books were removed from the schools' libraries.

I thought this was a thoughtful response from an Oklahoma blogger about the power of literature and the effect it can have on teens. Well worth reading!

Hollywood Hits the Books

Have you noticed how many new movies are based on old books? Here is a rundown from today's Wall Street Journal.

Classics in Sixty Seconds

The new "It" girl of literature can summarize the classics in 60 seconds! Worth checking out! Thanks to Jane for sending me this link.

Interview with Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins talks about her popular books!

Edgar Sawtelle: The Movie!!

Variety announces that Universal Pictures has acquired The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It’s being produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman of Playtone Pictures and Harpo Films partners Oprah Winfrey and Kate Forte. Much is being made of the fact that this is the first teaming of Oprah and Hanks.
Don’t hold your breath; it can be a long road from acquisition to completion. We’re still wondering what happened to Friday Night Knitting Club, starring Julia Roberts and a series of other titles lost in production.
So, who would you like to see as Edgar?