BANNED BOOKS WEEK GIVEAWAY - WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD

It's that time again, when the American Library Association and other national organizaitons focus on books that have been banned or challenged in the US. The challenges may occur at a store, a library or a school. Sometimes a book will be 'allowed' but only hidden behind a counter. Now, books can be revolutionary, it's true. Reading does broaden the mind and offer new perspectives. Books can teach you, inspire dreams, and give hope. But to hide them? To deny other people the chance to read it simply because you don't like it or you disagree with it? Why? Why should your tastes determine what I read, what I learn? Why should your beliefs take precedence over mine? Don't like it? Don't read it. Don't want your child to read it? Why? Have YOU taken the time to read it? Why not read it with your child? Be there to discuss the book and offer your thoughts on it. Maybe there's a book on a similar theme that you prefer; offer that to your child in conjunction with the other book.

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop

This is my third year participating in I Am A Reader, Not A Writer's blog hop for banned book week. That's hard to believe, my blog had it's second blogooversary early this month. I am amazed that it's lasted so long. It's a lot of work at times.

Banning of books has also been around a long time, just about since books were first printed. Someone, somewhere can find a reason to object to a book, and then go as far as banning or trying to ban it. Here are some links on the history of banned books:   A Look at the History of Book Banning in America - PBS        Banned Books Throughout History     History of Banned Books and of course, the American Library Association's info about banned books.


The ALA's observation of Banned Books Week runs from September 30th through October 6th this year. From their site:

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; Comic Book Legal Defense Fund; the Freedom to Read Foundation; National Coalition Against Censorship; National Council of Teachers of English; National Association of College Stores; PEN American Center and and Project Censored. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

I had hoped to highlight a banned or challenged book every day of BBW, but wasn't organized enough. I will try to get some up as I'm able. To celebrate Banned Books Week, I am giving away a banned or challenged book from Amazon or The Book Depository, winners choice, worth up to $10US. Click here for a list of banned or challenged books. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below.

Banned Book Week Giveaway Blog Hop

 

This hop was organized by Kathy from  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Jen from I Read Banned Books.

Every year, the American Library Association, in conjunction with other organizations, sponsors Banned Book Week, a week for highlighting books that have been banned or challenged and encouraging discussion about banning and censorship. For more info, see this post.

Over 200 participating blogs are offering a banned book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another. (See links at bottom of post.) The hop runs from Saturday, September 24th through Saturday, October 1st.

As part of the hop and in celebration of Banned Books Week, I have organized a series of guest posts and a couple of guest reviews of banned books by various authors. Additionally, many have generously donated books or gift cards. Please take a minute to stop by their sites or send them an email and thank them for participating this week. Of course, you can also buy their books. :P

Giveaway Details:

To enter the giveaways please 1) follow this blog, then 2) comment below. One comment will enter you in all of the giveaways for which you are eligible. Please note that some giveaways are international and some are limited to the US or Canada. All of the gift card giveaways are international. Please note in your comment what country you live in so I know which giveaways to enter you in, AND leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

ETA: Please DO NOT USE Kontactr to enter. You need to comment on the post. You should only use Kontactr if you do not want your contact info posted publicly. ALL other entry info MUST be in your post comment. I have many people who have incorrectly entered via Kontactr and whose entries will not count.

Each giveaway has one winner unless otherwise specified.

The Last Day to Enter is 10/1/11, 11:59PM EST.

See my Giveaway Policy. 

Optional Extra Entries:

+1 Be or become my friend on Goodreads.  (if you'd rather, you can just follow my reviews, it will still count)
+1 Follow on Twitter
+1 Have a confirmed email subscription

If you choose to do any of the optional extra entries, please note them in your comment and include a link to your profile. You only need to comment ONCE - put all of your entry info in your comment. Thanks :)
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Giveaway #1 International

From the blog, one winner can choose any one of the banned books listed below and I will order it from The Book Depository. As long as you live in a country that they ship to, you can enter this giveaway. 

1. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Hard to read but gripping)
2. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (I like this series)
3. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (I love this series)
5. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (one of my all time favorite books)
6. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George 
7. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
8. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
9.  Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
10. Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Giveaway #2 US & CA

Paranormal Author Kelley Armstrong, author of "Women of the Otherworld" and "The Darkest Powers", has generously donated 5 books from the ALA's 2010 "most frequently challenged" list. There will be one winner for each book, so five winners total. This one is open to US residents only.

1. The Absolutely True Story of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, paperback 
2. Twilight: The Twilight Saga Book 1 by Stephenie Meyer, mass market paperback 
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, paperback
4. Lush by Natasha Friend, paperback
5. Crank by Ellen Hopkins, hardcover

Giveaway #3 International

PNR & UF author, Keri Arthur, is kindly donating an Amazon gift card in the amount of $20 US, 20 UK or 20 Aust. (winners choice)  :)

Giveaway #4 International

Erotic romance author Morgan Ashbury has generously donated a $30 gift card to Amazon. 

Giveaway #5 International

YA authors Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman, are donating a $25US Amazon gift card. 

Giveaway #6 US

PNR Author Yasmine Galenorn is donating a copy of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Giveaway #7 International

Speculative Fiction author Laura Anne Gilman is donating a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Giveaway #8 International 

UF author Nicole Peeler is donating a banned book of the winner's choice, up to $15US, shipped from Amazon.                    

Giveaway #9 US & CA 

Urban Fantasty author Linda Poitevin, whose debut novel Sins of the Angels, releases on the 27th, is donating "And Tango Makes Three". 



Giveaway #10 International 

PNR author D.B. Reynolds is donating a banned or challenged book - winner's choice, shipped directly from Amazon.  

Giveaway #11 US

Simon & Schuster is donating a copy of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

Giveaway #12 International

Mystery and YA author Kari Lee Townsend is donating a $25US Amazon gift card.