Monday, March 10, 2014

#LETBOOKSBEBOOKS: EFFORTS TO END GENDER STEREOTYPES IN PUBLISHING

Fighting gender stereotypes in publishing has become a hot topic lately, with online petitions and Twitter hastags, #LetBooksBeBooks, generating a lot of incredible thinking and action. I couldn't have planned a better follow-up to my thoughts On Reluctant Readers & Gender Equality in Reading!

The #LetBooksBeBooks movement is about not labeling books for one gender or the other. I can think of almost countless instances where a book cover turned off a reader. The kid whose friends laughingly questioned his choice of reading because the cover was "girly"--that the content was decidedly not "girly" made little difference. I didn't see him reading that book again. This story goes the other way too, with girls not being or feeling included because of their reading choices as well. Some of the stories you'll find on the petition website are a little surprising and sad. Here's a little cover comparison to illustrate the situation for secondary readers:


While I thought these initial two covers for Beth Revis' Trilogy Across the Universe were beautiful, you can see how they would turn off some boy readers. The series, a thrilling futuristic science fiction story taking place on a spaceship among the stars, has two strong protagonists at it's heart--a boy and a girl--and is a great read for everyone. 





The third book in the series was published with the redesigned cover, and the first two were given new covers to complete the set. These new covers definitely make a move to appeal to either gender and, thankfully, don't immediately classify the story as a "girls book" from the first look. I admire this move to make the series appeal to everyone, because I know a lot of readers who would love the series. In this day and age of beautiful and artistic book cover design, "judging a book by its cover" is a worn-out phrase. Because it happens. How much better would it be for reluctant readers to not be turned off a story that would appeal to them because of a cover or label? I can see this opening up a wider world for scores of readers. 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Best of The Best Book Lists

It's that time of year for all of the "Best of" book lists! Perusing these has been somewhat of a hobby lately-- I love discovering books I might have missed, or seeing what favorites made it. I've rounded up a selection of all the lists for you here, the ones that have worthwhile picks! Not all book lists are great . . . sometimes I wonder who besides the person who wrote the list has even read the book! But these are at the top of my list of lists. There's sure to be a book on here for everyone's tastes (including those reluctant readers!)  

from Epic Reads

from NPR  

from Book Riot

from Amazon

. . . And a list of the best book covers! (See below) Visually awesome.
. . . And this crazy guy has actually compiled a list of ALL the "Best of" book lists out there. It's quite long. 


 

 

 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Finding Comfort in Books (Love for Newtown, CT)


I don't know about you, but the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut is still raw and present, and on my mind a lot. I can't imagine what it would be like for those families to lose such precious little ones. I can't imagine what it would feel like to have such a hole in your heart that could never be filled in the same way again. When I think of what my life would be like without my loved ones, I think of being terribly empty and suffering a broken heart at almost every moment. It's hard to even talk about this indescribable loss in Newtown.

I've found that in moments of sorrow, suffering, or a broken heart, I can find some small measure of comfort and solace in a book. Have you ever felt that way? To be able to escape into a book in times when you can't stand to exist in the consciousness of what happened is so welcome. Often when this happens, it is my old, worn copies of my favorite books that I turn to. There is just something comforting about those familiar stories and worlds, places and characters that I can melt into for a short space of time, feeling what they feel instead of the ache that I feel. Books are so wonderful this way.

What are some of your favorite comfort books? Below are a few of mine that I've revisited when times are hard. May you find some peace and hope in your favorite words.

Top to Bottom: The Book Thief, These Is My Words, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Billy Collins' Sailing Alone Around the Room (poetry), Ella Enchanted (from when I was younger), Shiloh (also from childhood), Jane Eyre, and The Help. 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

It's still not too late for some holiday shopping (I still have to do most of mine, actually)! I put together a short list of some bookish things that would be perfect to gift a reader.





Gold piggy bookends. How cute is that snout and curly-q tail?







Literary posters in a classy black & white. Eye-catching art to match a quote from your favorite classic. (via Flavorwire)







Cute and smart tortoiseshell readers to make you and that small print easy on the eyes.








Fun Scrabble fridge magnet set! Love.










The almonds + sea salt + dark chocolate is the best combo ever.  If you're not into dark (mmmmm), they also have milk chocolate.










 Don't you feel like your bookshelf tells a lot about who you are? I'm coveting this coffee table book that gives a peek at famous people's shelves (Malcom Gladwell, James Patterson, Alice Waters, to name a few).





Plus, check out this gift guide from Epic Reads that suggests a gift that matches your favorite YA book!

Monday, December 3, 2012

5 Years! & Some Changes!

A (belated) mini celebration . . . Happy 5 years, Enjoy A Book!

I started this blog back in 2008 . . . that's about 5 years ago! During that time I've shared my thoughts on books that I've enjoyed . . . or maybe not enjoyed. Hey, I don't blame you if there's a book you didn't enjoy. There are lots of those out there for each of us. But hopefully you've gotten something out of the ones I've shared with you.

You might have noticed some changes around here. After hitting the 5 year anniversary of Enjoy A Book, we are kicking things into a higher gear. It isn't just going be book reviews anymore . . . I'm going to be sharing a more rounded view of what reading really is. Because it's not just about book reviews, it's about finding that book that you think you'll enjoy, sharing it with others because you enjoy it so much, and now also fun apps you use, websites you visit, and other little quirks that readers share--whether you're a reader who has read one book, or a reader who has read many, or a reader who hasn't read any (yet)*. This is about the "reader's lifestyle."

An especially striking moment happened recently-- in which I realized I wanted to shift the focus of this blog from simply book reviews to encompassing more aspects of the reader's lifestyle. My husband told me (after carrying my purse for 2 seconds), "You know the crazy cat lady? Well, you're the crazy book lady." (I guess I do buy purses based on their capacity to hold multiple books/e-readers in addition to my wallet, lipstick, etc. So glad that big purses/totes are fashionable!)

Have you ever had a moment like this? Not necessarily one where your shoulder starts to ache from carrying too many books in your purse/bag/backpack...... But a moment when maybe you put off doing something important because you have to finish this part, or when you're reading along and all of a sudden something clicks and you get it, or when you've bought tickets to see the midnight movie premier of a book and are a little anxious to see how much they stayed true to the book, or when you feel that little thrill of nostalgia when you see that one book that you just loved to pieces as a kid. Etc., etc. There are many individual moments like these that make reading special, and really, that's what this blog is about. Those moments.

So welcome (again) to Enjoy A Book, a blog about the reader's lifestyle, in which we share enjoyable books, remember those golden (perhaps cliche) moments curled up with a book that you couldn't put down, get excited about all the cool technology that accompanies print nowadays, and many more things.



*A Note to the Reader Who Hasn't Read Any (Yet): 
However, I realize that not everyone comes from a background of books. I worked for a long time with students in middle and high school that, for all intents and purposes, were allergic to reading. Through lots of research, experimentation, tears and anger, I came to know that the way you get those who proclaim, "I'M NOT A READER AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME" to read is to make it enjoyable.

It's not new information that reading is part of what makes someone successful in school, and helps them lead a more enriched life (more on this later . . . ). so how do you get the "non-readers" to read? The same way many of the readers started reading: find something they enjoy reading, read lots of it, then gradually branch out from there.


So as part of sharing the reader's lifestyle, I'll be sharing "remedies" for those reluctant readers who think that reading isn't, for the most part, an enjoyable way to pass the time. Because, please, that kind of thinking needs to be remedied quickly!

Friday, November 6, 2009

dear readers . . .

of this blog, that is! Please feel free to comment on any of these reviews! We all have different experiences of a book, and I want to hear some of yours!

Monday, September 22, 2008

The beginning . . . (exposition)

Welcome to a wonderful place where books are shared. Books and reading are my passion! I hope to be able to share some of the wonderful things that I have experienced through reading.

Reading is so important! If you think about it, where would we be without reading? No books, no television, plays, road signs, food labels--the list goes on and on. Not to mention all the wonderful effects that books have on us. They help us find out who we are, let us learn, keep us entertained, and so many other things.

I am currently a teacher in training! A middle school or high school teacher of English. So you may find that most of what I share is young adult literature, which is one of the best categories for romances, comedies, modernization, coming of age, fantasy, action, and many other things we enjoy. The power and influence of young adult literature is not to be underestimated.

SO, my goal is to share with you all the wonderful things that can be discovered in the world of words . . .