It's Banned Books Week!

Again, you say? Didn't we talk about this just last year?

Sadly, yes. Books are still being banned, so the ALA Banned Books Week continues. This year, it's occurring from September 26 to October 3.

The American Library Association recorded 513 challenged is 2008, but that total is estimated to be only 20-25% of the actual number of banned or challenged books. These books include the Harry Potter series, Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams (a personal favorite), Lois Lowry's award-winning The Giver, and classics such as Slaughterhouse Five, Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

My goal this week is to identify and read a challenged book that I haven't read before. How about you? Will you join me in this challenge?

Post your selection in the comments section, and one commenter will win a prize at the end of the week!

MTA Monday -- Meet Alannah Lynne!

NAME: Alannah Lynne

WEBSITE: www.alannahlynne.com

BLOG: www.alannahlynne.blogspot.com

TITLE OF FIRST BOOK: Reaction Time

RELEASE DATE: December 16th from Samhain Publishing

FAVORITE WRITING STORY/SAYING/MEMORY: Write the truth. I can’t remember the exact words that Stephen King uses (and I’ve heard several other authors say the same thing) but the gist is, stay true to the story and write the way the story demands it.

FAVORITE NON-WRITING STORY/SAYING/MEMORY: “Well behaved women rarely make history.”

COMFORT FOOD: Oreos and Lucky Charms

COMFORT READ: Anything that makes me laugh. Usually a Stephanie Plum novel does the trick

YOUR PERFECT DAY: A maid comes in and cleans. A chef shows up to cook and I get to spend several uninterrupted hours writing. LOL…I would imagine that would be my perfect day. Since its never happened, I can’t say for sure but that’s my dream.


WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?: A contemporary romance about a driven advertising executive who must choose between her career and an irresistible client.

*Still* in the Running?

I admit, I'm a little surprised I made it to the Romance Studio Diva Contest Round Three. There's some great competition there! This time, we're responding to a reader letter. It's not anonymous in this round, so I figured I could let y'all know I'm still hanging in there. When the round is anonymous, I won't be saying a word. :)

And here's a question for you -- what, if anything, do you look for/hope for in an author response? I'm always worried I'll sound like a blithering idiot. :)

RIP Madeleine L'Engle

I just saw the news that Madeleine L'Engle has passed away at the age of 88. Her books were an important part of my childhood, and I'm sure many others. She will be missed.