Banned Books Week (+ Geeky Holiday List)

It's the last day of Banned Books Week and for some reason, I always forget about it. Not intentional of course, but it always seemed to happen. Anyway, no matter the time, it's always important to protect the freedom to read. It's so disheartening that books continue to be targeted for censorship. I always wonder, what are they afraid of? What is it they don't want readers to know? They are so afraid of knowledge that they want to keep everyone from reading something they themselves most likely never read. All because of something they don't like that's in a book. And even if they read the books and didn't like them, that doesn't give them the right to try to keep others from reading them.

When books are banned, our freedom to think critically, be challenged and access information is threatened. I guess they are also so afraid of the creativity, imagination, thought, love and joy readers get from simply reading a book. The old saying is true, Knowledge is Power. So, keep reading, learning, using your imagination and growing. Don't let censorship keep you from reading and please continue to read banned books.

So what can we do to help fight censorship? Well, there are three things I can think of:

1. Read and recommend banned books.

2. Support banned books that are being censored. Speak out whether it's online or in person.

3. Advocate for the importance of literature of all kinds. These stories deserve to be read and shared and not treated as something to be removed or hidden away.

Not to be forgotten, below (under the cut) is my Banned Book Geeky List of shows and movies.

Artwork: Banned Books by Jane Mount

Happy New Year's Eve! (+ Geeky Holiday List)

As I look back at 2021, it's easy to see that this was not a good reading and reviewing year for me. My focus and concentration were just not there. Which is why I'm looking forward to 2022, I'm hoping it will be a much better year for me to stay focused. I want a fresh start and I'm hoping to read and review more books especially compared to 2021 where I only reviewed six books. That is by far the lowest number of books that I've every read.

Something else I want to give a fresh start to are my three book clubs: The Book Girl's Book Club, Comic Book Club and Star Wars Book Club. So, on January 1st, I will be restarting my book club, I think it will be a good way to re-center my focus on reading. I already have the books picked out and I can't wait to share them with you.

But for now, today is all about remembering 2021 and celebrating everyone ringing in a new year. Happy New Year's Eve!

Below is a list of shows and a movie you can watch to celebrate. And if you're looking for more shows and movies, here's a link to my 2019 NYE post.

Happy Thanksgiving! (+ a Geeky Holiday TV List)

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Whether you are celebrating alone or with others, I hope everyone will enjoy a day full of celebration, good food, creating new memories, peace, happiness and good health on this day and all others. Happy Thanksgiving!

Characters Reading: Nigel Ratburn (Arthur)

Nigel Ratburn is an interesting character because he's very smart and very knowledgeable about a lot of topics and not just because he's a teacher. He challenges his students which encourages their interest in learning. I feel like he is the embodiment of a lifelong learner because he continues to find interest in new things. 

In the Arthur episode "Lend Me Your Ear", Mr. Ratburn was sitting at The Sugar Bowl, a dessert café, reading "A Brief History of Copper Smelting". According to one of his students, Brain (a.k.a. Alan Powers), who already read the book, he said it was very exciting. And I guess Mr. Ratburn finds it to be exciting as well because he looks to be totally engrossed in what he's reading.

With that in mind, I guess you will never know what you might find interesting, so read whatever book that piques your interest.

(Arthur season 20 episode 5 "Lend Me Your Ear")

Characters Reading: Arthur Read

In the Arthur episode Arthur's Faraway Friend, Arthur Read along with his best friend Buster Baxter were reading The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. I've seen a lot of different Robin Hood movies from the Disney animated movie (which is still my favorite adaptation) to various live-action ones but I've never read the book.

(Arthur season 2 episode 12 "Arthur's Faraway Friend")