BEA'S BOOK NOOK "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Showing posts sorted by date for query angela addams. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query angela addams. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday, December 19, 2014

The Friday 56 - Wolves' Bane by Angela Addams

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join in the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

I'm about to start reading a paranormal romance, "Wolves' Bane", by Angela Addams. The quote is from 56%  in the eGalley. My review will be up at Romance at Random later this month or early next month.


Cal pounded on the door, suddenly too angry to think straight. She would not lock him out. 

Monday, December 8, 2014

November Challenge Wrap Up

Wrap Up

I went a bit nuts this year with challenges; I hope I can accomplish them all. The only one I'm not tracking is my goodreads reading challenge; all the rest I'll include in my monthly wrap up post.

November I had 4 challenges in addition to my year-long ones: the 30 Day Blog Ahead challenge, the Month of Giving Thanks, and NetGalley November. There was also the Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon which was 6 days long. I did well with that one. :)

Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready!

Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon - Goal - 7

On the Naughty List by Lori Foster, et al
Christmas with a SEAL by Tawny Weber
Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan 
The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak 
Christmas Gift That Keeps Wagging - review to come
Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey- review to come
I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper- review to come

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sunday Book Share #115

 
http://www.talksupeblog.com/search/label/Bought%20Borrowed%20and%20Bagged

 I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews; and Bought Borrowed and Bagged, hosted by TalkSupe. All of these memes are about sharing the print and digital books received and/or posts and events on the blog.

I had only a few early mornings at school, thank goodness. I was actually able to sleep late several days. I was busy with the Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon and setting up a blog tour for a new paranormal romance, Wolves' Bane by Angela Addams. There are still spots open if you want to sign up. Claude was very snuggly last week; he has really settled in here. I got a new tank for my betta fish, complete with a heater. Apparently, I was keeping my bedroom too cold for his liking. Now he's a got a roomy tank and heated water and he's much happier.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

SIGN UPS! Blog Tour for Wolves' Bane by Angela Addams

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/55294

Ummm, see that hot cover? Wanna read the book that goes with it? Or maybe interview the author who wrote it? You're in luck! I'm setting up a blog tour for it. The tour will be January 6th through January 20th, 2015.

We're looking for 9-12 tour stops over the two week period. You can do a review, interview Angie, or share an excerpt. Guest posts are also available, but there's a maximum of two for the tour. We are working with the publisher, Samhain, to see about getting review copies via NetGalley. There will be a tour wide giveaway with a rafflecopter widget that I'll set up.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

October Challenge Wrap Up

Wrap Up

I went a bit nuts this year with challenges; I hope I can accomplish them all. The only one I'm not tracking is my goodreads reading challenge; all the rest I'll include in my monthly wrap up post.
Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready!

For this month, November, there are 3 challenges that I'm taking part in: the 30 Day Blog Ahead challenge, the Month of Giving Thanks, and NetGalley November. For NetGalley November, I'm aiming for the medium level of 5-10 books. I have more than 10 but I won't get to them all.

Reading BINGO Challenge

Aaaanad, again, nothing. I am so failing with this one.

TOTAL: 16

Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge - Goal: 1-5

Nothing last month

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Sunday Book Share #111

 
http://www.talksupeblog.com/search/label/Bought%20Borrowed%20and%20Bagged

 I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews; Bought Borrowed and Bagged, hosted by TalkSupe; and Library Loot co-hosted by The Captive Reader and Silly Little Mischief. All of these memes are about sharing the print and digital books received and/or posts and events on the blog.

I had orientation for my new job last week. Now I'm in a holding pattern while I wait for some medical records, required by the state, from my doctor. I can't start in the classroom until I have that documentation, so frustrating. I did have another great week with books and a friend and I are hitting up the library used book sale this afternoon. A new editing project came in so that's my focus right now. Weather-wise, we had so much rain that it felt like March and not October.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Bea Reviews Wolf Slayer by Angela Addams

Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Series: The Order of the Wolf
Format Read: eGalley
Source: from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | ARe* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

She would have made his next breath his last, if he hadn’t stolen hers.

Order of the Wolf, Book 2


Aubrey Devlin thought she had a destiny—to become a Huntress, be mated to a Hunter, and spend her life in everlasting, werewolf ass-kicking bliss. But after years of honing her wolf-slaying skills, it’s her twin sister who’s chosen for the coveted honor.

Swallowing her disappointment, she takes a job as head of security for the band Riot. Staying professional is tough when it comes to the band’s sex-god bassist, an alpha bad-boy to the extreme. She will keep her mind on her work—as soon as she figures out how to stop drooling over the man.

Jaylon isn’t good with women—especially those with the ability to kill him—yet he knows without a doubt Aubrey is his mate. Now if only he can get the stubborn woman to fall for him.

One argument too many, and instead of clawing each other’s eyes out, they wind up clawing each other’s clothes off. It’s then that Jaylon realizes the truth: Aubrey is a true Huntress. He’d better find a way to claim his mate before a Hunter claims her first…

Warning: Sexually explicit (like ripping-clothes-off, sex-in-public-places explicit) language. Rock-star bad-ass with long hair and a wicked bite. A take-no-crap huntress who bites back. You are encouraged to lick, suck, and devour your way through this tasty treat in one sitting—just be aware you might be hungry for more.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Sunday Book Share #110

 
http://www.talksupeblog.com/search/label/Bought%20Borrowed%20and%20Bagged

 I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews; and Bought Borrowed and Bagged, hosted by TalkSupe. All of these memes are about sharing the print and digital books received and/or posts and events on the blog.

Life is feast or famine sometimes. Last week I received a job offer, accepted it, and then 24 hours later I got a second job offer. Oy. The first one was for part-time and the second was full-time. Both were good options but I need the full-time pay and benefits. It sure feels good to be wanted! To celebrate being employed, I bought books, lol. Actually, I went a little nuts with books all around - buying, pre-ordering, and also requesting review copies.

Friday, October 10, 2014

The Friday 56 #58 Wolf Slayer by Angela Addams


This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join in the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

I'm reading a paranormal romance, "Wolf Slayer", by Angela Addams. The quote is from 56%  in the eGalley.



She snapped her gaze up to find Chris-blond, built, and hotter than hot. She'd known him most of her life, his family being Order supporters just as hers was. Young, early twenties, he was part of her and her sister's cohort of Hunter/Huntress hopefuls, training together at times, socializing together often. He was a trusted family friend-someone she could count on to watch her back.



Saturday, October 4, 2014

September Challenge Wrap Up

Wrap Up

I went a bit nuts this year with challenges; I hope I can accomplish them all. I'm doing pretty well so I have a good chance. The only one I'm not tracking is my goodreads reading challenge; all the rest I'll include in my monthly wrap up post. Although I haven't been tracking my goodreads challenge on here, I made my goal during September. My goal was 200 and currently I'm up to 203. :)

Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready! 

Reading BINGO Challenge

I've stalled on this one. I need to kick my butt and get back in gear.

TOTAL: 16

Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge - Goal: 1-5

1. Cursed by Angela Addams
2. Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sunday Book Share #106

 
http://www.talksupeblog.com/search/label/Bought%20Borrowed%20and%20Bagged

 I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews; Bought Borrowed and Bagged, hosted by TalkSupe; and Library Loot co-hosted by The Captive Reader and Silly Little Mischief. All of these memes are about sharing the print and digital books received and/or posts and events on the blog.

I had a busy week with job hunting, doctor's appointments, and my church's annual fair. The rain held off for the latter until after we started breaking down for the day, which was a relief. The weather makes a huge difference in the turnout we get and rain is a killer.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway of Cursed by Angela Addams

Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Series: The Order of the Wolf #1
Format Read: Kindle book
Source: ebook from the author for an honest review & I own the Kindle book
Release Date: July 29, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon*ARe* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Her biggest mistake comes with fangs…and a nose for tracking her down.

The Order of the Wolf, Book 1


Wherever there’s a lying, cheating scumbag who’s broken a woman’s heart, Vengeance Dealer Darcy Wells is there. So what if she isn’t the most skilled witch around? She’s only using one spell, which leaves the hapless male suffering tormenting lust for one woman. Her.

The beautiful part? This curse comes equipped with a blinding agent, allowing her a clean getaway. Unrequited lust, coming right up! As far as Darcy is concerned, it’s justice served. Her next target: Raven Glock, rock band bassist and drop-dead-gorgeous sex god.

When Raven lays eyes on the luscious Darcy, he gives her what he promises all the starry-eyed groupies who toss their panties at him—one unforgettable night in his bed. Sex with Darcy is so epic that he forgets his cardinal rule: to get her out before morning.

At the crack of sunrise, Darcy serves Raven a face full of cursed ash. But something goes horribly wrong…and she finds herself magically tethered to one pissed-off werewolf.

Worse, breaking the spell could cost her everything…maybe even her life.

Warning: Sexually explicit language, tattoos, piercings, and giant…um…feet. Wet panties are a given. Author assumes no responsibility for spontaneous ravishment of significant others, pool boys, or local pizza delivery personnel.

The Dirty Words War - A Guest Post by Angela Addams


I've known, virtually-speaking, Angie for years, We met on Kelley Armstrong's now defunct message board and I've reviewed some of her earlier works. Recently, she signed with Samhain for a paranormal erotic romance series and the first book, "Cursed", released in July. I have a review, excerpt, and giveaway post here and in this post, Angie talks about the many different words and expressions we use when talking about our sex organs. Naughty language ahead!

Saturday, September 6, 2014

August Challenge Wrap Up

Wrap Up

I went a bit nuts this year with challenges; I hope I can accomplish them all. The only one I'm not tracking is my goodreads reading challenge; all the rest I'll include in my monthly wrap up post.

During the summer I also participated in the COYER Summer Vacation challenge, it ended September 5th. 

Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready! 

Reading BINGO Challenge

I haven't hit Bingo yet but I'm filling up the squares so maybe next month I'll get the first one.

I forgot to track this one last month.  :(

TOTAL: 16

Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge - Goal: 1-5

none last month

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday Book Share #34


I'm participating in Feed My Reader Friday hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A WriterThe Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. These  memes allow book bloggers the chance to share print and digital books they've received, and different posts and events at their blogs. 

Welcome! If you haven't visited for a few days, you'll see I've redecorated. The designer and decorator was Rachel at PJ Designs and she was wonderful. She listened to everything I said, asked questions, and patiently answered my questions. I can happily recommend her to anyone thinking about redesigning their blog.

It was another busy week, both in real life and on the blog. I took Friday night off from all obligations and read a book for fun. Today I have to finish reading some submissions to my pub and give thumbs up or thumbs down to purchasing and publishing them. My allergies have been mild so I've been enjoying having my windows down on the warmer days. I like spring, summer not so much, so I am enjoying this weather. I do wish my apartment had a balcony or patio or some sort of outside access. Goof is still enjoying sitting in the window, face pressed against the screen. :)

The Week In Review





News & info:  New Look!  
Penguin Books presents "Read Humane" Books in Support of Pets

Giveaways:

2 Hardcover copies of A Murder at Rosamund's Gate by Susanna Calkins and a $40 Amazon.com gift card for a total of 3 winners.

$50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash, ends April 28th 

2 Ebook copies of a backlist book in the Always a Marine series by Heather Long (winners choice of book), ends April 29th.

$5 eGift Card to the eBook retailer of the winner's choice, ends April 29th


A 7 inch Kindle Fire OR $100 Amazon Gift Card OR $100 Paypal Cash, ends May 5th

Over $1000 in Amazon Gift Cards from author Stephanie Lisa Tara, ends May 10th.

Kindle Fire from author Stephanie Lisa Tara, ends May 31st, 2013

The Week Coming Up

Blog Tour - Interview with mystery author Victoria Hamilton 
Excerpt from the Blood Destiny series by Helen Harper 
Blitz & Giveaway for The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto

BOOKS 

Review - Kindle


I hope to get this read in May but it might be summer before I get to it. One of my fave authors, Julie Campbell, has a story in it, and it has DRAGONS in it. How could I resist?


These are all summer reviews, July and August.

Review - Print



I won the first book but it went missing before I could read it so it'll be a while before I get to this one.

Won


I won this from the author, Kaylea Cross, and Book Chick City

I also won a $10 Starbucks Gift Card from romance author Angela Adams, not to be confused with romance author Angela Addams, who has been a guest here and several of whose books I've reviewed. I took a pic but Blogger refused to upload it. 

How was your week? Leave a link and I'll come visit. 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Review of Going the Distance by Angela Addams

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Release Date: December 26, 2011

Series: Cupid's Conquests #2
Buying Links: Amazon    Evernight Publishing

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Ronan’s been in love with Steph Randell since they were teenagers. Pierced by Cupid’s arrow as a teen, the country boy fell hard for her. 

As an award-winning actress, Steph has a mind of her own and is blinded by her ambition. Yet, for all her money and fame, the only time she truly finds peace is in Ronan’s arms. But she thinks that all she needs is a friend with benefits. 


Cupid messed up and needs to fix things—an incredible boon if he can succeed. All he has to do is show Steph what she is missing and prove to Ronan that Steph is worth fighting for. What will Steph risk for love? And what is Ronan willing to give up to get his girl?

Reviewed by: Bea 

Teaser:

She needed this. She needed him. He was the only real thing in her life. The only one she could trust and count on. He was always there when she needed him to be and gone when she didn't. Her Ronan.

My Thoughts:

I like a friends to lovers story, and while this doesn't fit that niche exactly, it's close enough for me. Steph and Ronan were a couple in high school but they had different dreams and she left immediately after graduation. But neither forgot the other and over the years, as Steph has become a Hollywood star and Ronan has struggled to make his ranch thrive, they have always reconnected. Steph periodically sneaks away from Hollywood and hooks up with Ronan at his ranch in their hometown. Steph blows in whenever she feels like it and just expects Ronan to be available. He desperately loves her and makes himself available.

I wanted to kick Ronan for being Steph's doormat; seriously bub, grow a pair! I wanted to smack Steph for being so spoiled, selfish, and manipulative. I had a hard time warming up to Steph, she seemed very selfish, arrogant, and shallow. Both she and Ronan have some growing up to do, and with a little help from Cupid, they manage it. I enjoyed watching their relationship change and develop a more equal footing. The sex scenes were hot, the story flowed, and it had a happy ending. Go read!

Some quotes:
And just like that, he was lost. She was his drug of choice.
The days when Steph came were always bittersweet for Ronan. He loved to have her there, in his home, acting like a domesticated little housewife, his little housewife, and yet, he knew it was all a fantasy. She was no housewife, and she was not his, no matter how much he wanted it to be otherwise.
 He slid his mouth down her neck, trailing kisses over her collarbone to her breast, latching onto her nipple without pause. She jolted up when he nipped her, exquisite pain there and gone as he smoothed her aching nub with his tongue, rolling it, flicking it, sucking it deep into his warm mouth.


I received a Kindle copy from the author for review. 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Witches and Vampires and Ghosts…or Maybe Not…A Guest Post by Author Angela Addams



PNR author Angela Addams is visiting again today. She was first here in spring of 2011, when I reviewed her book, "Ghost Bride" and also interviewed her. While her first few books were paranormal romance, her new one, "Going the Distance", is a contemporary romance, with just a hint of fantasy.

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations.

She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, and she believes haunted, house with her loving husband and children. 




Book Blurb (from publisher):


Ronan’s been in love with Steph Randell since they were teenagers. Pierced by Cupid’s arrow as a teen, the country boy fell hard for her.


As an award-winning actress, Steph has a mind of her own and is blinded by her ambition. Yet, for all her money and fame, the only time she truly finds peace is in Ronan’s arms. But she thinks that all she needs is a friend with benefits.


Cupid messed up and needs to fix things—an incredible boon if he can succeed. All he has to do is show Steph what she is missing and prove to Ronan that Steph is worth fighting for. What will Steph risk for love? And what is Ronan willing to give up to get his girl?

By ANGELA ADDAMS 
ASIN: B006QLUMX2
Published by: EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE
Format: ebook
Length:134 KB
Release Date: DECEMBER 26, 2011 
Author Website: http://www.angelaaddams.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AngelaAddams

Angie, thanks for stopping by today and sharing with us the challenges you faced writing this story.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

So, here’s the thing, I’ve kind of made a brand for myself that is centered around all things paranormal. That was always just a natural fit for me. So color me surprised when I started writing my latest novella, Going the Distance, and discovered that there wasn’t a werewolf, vampire or witch in sight! I mean, come on! There’s got to be a way to fit in some kind of paranormal creature, right? RIGHT?
 
Ahem, well, no, no there wasn’t. This particular story wasn’t feral enough for a werewolf tale . There was no room for a vampire lover. There wasn’t even a place for a measly little apparition to float around. No paranormal. Period. Well, not exactly NO paranormal. This particular story was written to fit into a series called Cupid’s Conquests in which Cupid, aka Eros, has been banished to Earth until he can fix the sad romantic state of the world. He must intervene in the lives of romantically deprived individuals and hook them up. In the case of Going the Distance, he’s got to fix a mistake he made years before.
 
So I found myself in an interesting situation, a little scared, I will admit, but not so put off that the story wasn’t flowing. I have to say I’m quite pleased with the result. This novella is HOT, right from the get go. It was interesting delving into a realistic world with common problems and having my heroine and her hero overcome obstacles that any one of us could face. 

It was my first experience with a story taking over and even though I tried for a little while to force it into my paranormal mold, I knew it wouldn’t fit. I had to accept the reality that my brand was going to take a little detour into uncharted territory. And to be perfectly honest it was a great little jaunt…one I will most likely repeat at some point.
 
So now I can say that I’ve written a somewhat, mostly, contemporary erotic romance which is my favorite so far (I can say that because it’s my only so far ;-)
 
I truly hope it becomes your favorite too.

To celebrate my new release, I’m giving away an e-copy of Going the Distance! All you have to do is leave a comment (make sure to put an email address) and I will randomly draw a winner a week from today!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Red's Wolf Winner!


First, let me say thank you to everyone who responded. There were some beautiful responses, I was tearing up reading them.

Ok, our winner is......................Angela Addams! Send me an email at beasbooknook@gmail.com letting me what format you want, a mailing addy for the cover flats, and if you want the soap. Congrats!


Sunday, September 25, 2011

Guest Review of a Banned Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Genre: YA

Publisher (this edition): Pocket Books
Release date (this edition): February 2, 2009
Reasons given for banning: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
Buy Links:  Amazon     The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

What is most notable about this funny, touching, memorable first novel from Stephen Chbosky is the resounding accuracy with which the author captures the voice of a boy teetering on the brink of adulthood. Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age and gender; a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. Charlie encounters the same struggles many face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, exploring sexuality, experimenting with drugs--but he must also deal with the devastating fact of his best friend's recent suicide. Charlie's letters take on the intimate feel of a journal as he shares his day-to-day thoughts and feelings: 


"I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. If they like their jobs. Or us. And I wonder how smart they were when they were fifteen. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. Or wondering who did the heart breaking. And wondering why."
With the help of a teacher who recognises his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like ivy. When it all becomes too much, after a shocking realisation about his beloved late Aunt Helen, Charlie checks out for awhile. But he makes it back to reality in due time, ready to face his sophomore year and all that it may bring. Charlie, sincerely searching for that feeling of "being infinite" is a kindred spirit to the generation that's been slapped with the label X. 

Our Guest Reviewer:

Every day is Halloween for paranormal romance author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios.  
 
She lives in Ontario, Canada with her loving husband and children.

When I approached Angela about participating this week, she immediately jumped on the idea of reviewing a banned book and chose this one. I have not read this one but I've read others that dealt with the same content and like Angie, I believe that books like these allow teens a safe avenue for dealing with these matters and can be a lead in to many conversations between the reader and others in their life. 



Angie's Thoughts: 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, is one of those books that appeals to readers of all ages. It’s the kind of book that speaks to the very real trials and tribulations that teenagers are faced with in today’s society.  

The main character, Charlie, tells his story through a series of cathartic letters to an anonymous person. Although it seems like Charlie runs into an unbelievable heap of trouble: drugs, sex, a friend’s suicide and a horrible family secret, it is not an unrealistic coming of age tale. In fact, the reason why I think this novel is so wonderful is that it confronts these issues with full disclosure and doesn’t sugar coat the influences, pressures and realities that a teen in today’s world can face.

I’ve been asked to write this review because The Perks of Being a Wallflower has been flagged as inappropriate. It has been banned for containing content that is considered anti-family, is said to exploit the use of drugs and touch on issues of homosexuality and suicide. It is also criticized for the use of offensive language, expressing a religious viewpoint and containing sexually explicit content. It has been deemed to be unsuited to the age group for which it was written.  

All of the above mentioned “issues” related to this novel are in fact accurate; The Perks of Being A Wallflower does indeed contain a lot of sensitive content. In fact, the entire book is brimming with the musings of a conflicted, troubled teen. But does that mean it is unsuitable for its intended audience and should be censored or worse, banned? I say, emphatically, no and here’s why: 

Banning books like this one eliminates the possibility of opening up discussion with our youth on the very real issues that they are plagued with. The reason why this novel speaks to teenagers and is so widely read is because there is always an element of connection to the content. If the reader hasn’t experienced these things themselves then they have known someone who has. What better way to prepare our youth through open discussion and exploration of sensitive topics? And it’s not like these very real, issues are going to go away.

All censorship does is clean up a perceived mess by brushing it under the proverbial carpet. Unfortunately, just because you can’t see the dust and dirt, doesn’t mean the problems go away.  


Buy the book, give it a read, and then pass it along to your teen – it’s time we opened the communication valve with our youth instead of assuming that everything will always be sunshine and roses. 


5/5 Stars

The reviewer owns this book.


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I'm Getting Excited About Banned Books Week.



Banned Book Week is a month away and I've been busy planning events for the week long celebration. The 8 day celebration and blog hop are going to be busy days here. I've lined up guest posts by authors and bloggers, there are a couple of reviews of banned or challenged books, and giveaways! The giveaways are a mix of book and gift cards; some are US only and others are international.

I've been pestering asking authors and publicists to participate and have gotten a very good response. Only one author so far has turned me down, I'm waiting to hear back from a few people and the following people have generously agreed to donate their time, banned or challenged books, or gift cards. In no particular order, participants currently confirmed are:

Authors

Kelley Armstrong
Angela Addams
D.B. Reynolds
J.A. Campbell
Morgan Ashbury
Nicole Peeler
Laura Anne Gilman
Kari Lee Townsend
Charlotte Bennardo
Keri Arthur
Mike Mullin
Linda Poitevin
Krista D Ball
Chris Redding

Bloggers

Drosdelnoch from The Falcata Times
Ceilidh from Book Lantern

Don't forget that you can get out and do your part too - attend meetings when a book is challenged at your local school or library, help organize or run a local event in honor of our right to choose our own reading material, donate time or money to organizations that support literacy and reading. Get involved, and don't forget to read!