Post-Civil War America may be in the history books, but the ignorance and prejudice of ages past is alive and well here in the 21st century. As the Banned Books Awareness project continues it never ceases to amaze me the sheer number of books on censorship lists, nor the...
Many New Years resolutions concern ways of improving the self- smoke less, exercise more; spend less, conserve more. These are worthy goals, but always subjective in nature and often fall to the wayside as circumstances and attitudes change while the year takes shape. As long-time readers of this column...
Welcome to 2012!! With the coming of the new year also comes another edition of my monthly paranormal column, Across the Great Divide! I’ve had a lot of fun over the years with this series. I’ve informed, I’ve discussed, I’ve joked, I’ve raved, and I’ve ranted about a number...
The Hunger Games is a young adult novel by Suzanne Collins that was first published in 2008; a major movie adaption is also scheduled for release in 2012. But did you know that it is also the fifth most challenged and controversial book of 2010? Read on and Share...
Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America is one of the top ten most frequently challenged books of 2010- coming in at number 8- according to the American Library Association. The events portrayed in the non-fiction work take place between 1998 and 2000 and investigates...
In his own time, Shakespeare was seen as merely one among many talented playwrights and poets, but ever since the late 17th century he has been considered the supreme playwright; and to a lesser extent, poet of the English language. No other playwright has been performed on the world...
Hello, my name is Wolf. I am addicted to the camera. It might sound like the beginning of a 12-step meeting, but I think of it as a wonderful gift- the gift of creativity and expression. I believe that photography is poetry to the eye, and I started seeing...
Published in 1962, A Wrinkle in Time quickly won the coveted Newbery Medal in 1963. It is a tale filled with magic, mystery, and adventure; but the very core of it is the heartwarming quest of a girl wanting nothing more than to find her father- a government scientist...
The days are increasingly shorter, the air chills to the bone, and nature slumbers beneath a blanket of sparkling snow. This is the time of year when we gather with friends and family to talk, share life’s adventures, and relive the year’s memorable moments. If you’re like many folks, you’re...
Newswires around the world were abuzz last Wednesday after government officials in New Zealand seized a copy of “Bloody Mama” from a local business; the book has been banned there since 1971. There are currently 1319 books officially banned in New Zealand and another 728 titles that are restricted....