Banned Book Week

It's that time of year again!

I can honestly say I take more pride in being a Bookseller this week than most other weeks. It's Banned Book week. (Yes, that's still a thing.)

So for those of you who don't know what banning a book means, it is when some crazy person decides they don't like a book and thus start a petition to get that book removed from public spaces such as libraries and public school systems. The reasoning can be anything from the use of less than desirable language to the undesirable depiction of women in potions of power (which is why The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was originally banned. No, not joking.)

So of course, as a sane member of society, I absolutely abhor this practice with a fiery burning passion of a thousand super novas. Don't get me wrong, there are some books that frankly should never see the light of day and I will use what ever means necessary to keep from reading those books. And that's the point. It's so I don't have to read it. There is a very simple way in order to make sure a book does not affect your life or bring influence into it:

Don't. Read. It. You. Idiot.

 "I don't like what this book has to say. Of course, the most logical action to take is to make sure no one else reads it either since I have the universal opinion on everything ever."

WRONG

"I don't like what this book has to say. Of course, I will just put it down and find another book which I can read in delight and then share that delight in order to make the world a better place."

RIGHT

No one will ever have the right to tell another functioning human being what they should read based on personal preference. (I use the word functioning here to mean a person who is not wholly dependent on their parents. Looking at you teenagers. Listen to your parents until you move out and can read whatever you like.)

So, here is the link to more information to banned books. I'll be writing every day this week to talk about a different banned book that you should read, just because someone doesn't want you too.

http://www.ala.org/bbooks/

The Next Generation

There are very few things that make me as happy as when kids come into the bookstore. And kids kids, not teenage kids. Teenagers suck the intelligence out of everything they touch like idiotic sponges. (Disclaimer: I'm sure there are smart teenagers out there someplace. Well hidden and biding there time before they blossom into humans and shed their post pubescent shell of ignorance and triviality)

But when KIDS come into the store.
Win.
Because they get so excited! Grown ups, while yes they love getting new books, love getting suggestions, love hunting the shelves for a new life changing tome, and love the society that bookstores bring into communities, I have NEVER seen an adult jump up and down when finding "The biggest dinosaur book ever!"

Not only that, kids go in HOPING to get a new book. Adults go in to get one. Yea they are hoping to find something new, but chances are, they are set on adding something to the stack next to their bed. Kids however are playing a shell game. Do I ask for this book? 20$ isn't a lot of the monies, right?...

"MOM! CAN I GET THIS PLEASE?!?!?!"

And then there's the answer. (The 10% chances the parent will cave in and give their child the gift of intelligence and literacy.)

CONVERSATION OVERHEARD IN BOOKSTORE:

"Mom look! I found the biggest dinosaur book ever!"
"You did?! That's awesome!"
"Can I get it?"
"Yes."
"...................... What?"
"I said you can get it."
".......BEST DAY EVER!!!!"


That is why kids > adults. There is no end to excitement at getting a new book. Doesn't matter what the book is, as long as it is book-ish.