Weekly Review: Week Ending October 3rd

At long last it's back! In which I share all the fabulous links I've come across in the blogopshere recently. :)

First I am so so so happy to say that Brant Hansen has returned to blogging with his wonderful blend of humor and insight. He really is my favorite blogger. I especially loved this post in which he changed out occurrences of wine with grape juice in Biblical passages. Classic!

Banned Books Week

I was pleased to read so many thought provoking posts during Banned Books Week. Many bloggers thoughts forced me to think more carefully about my own feelings about freedom and challenging books. Here are a few I enjoyed:

Banned Books Week at Jodie's Book gazing in which she admits how hard it is not to want to shut some people up.

The Gift of Choice at Rebecca's blog in which she discussses the value in allowing a child to choose whether or not to read a book themselves.

And Christina had an excellent and thought provoking post on censorship, what banned books week seems to be all about and the importance of challenging books at Stacked Blog.

I also enjoyed this essay on Farenheit 451 at Lenore's blog and this look at the Outsiders at Angie's Blog. (both books I love! :)

Other Book Stuff

Becky explains what a reading challenge is and why she's addicted, Eva provides some recommended reading for Hispanic heritage month, Marie felt the same way I did about How to Paint a Dead Man, and Keishon questions the trend of turning popular novels into graphic novels.

SO MANY NEW CHALLENGES!

I feel like new books challenges, book clubs, and read-alongs are cropping up left and right! I simply can't keep up with them all! Having said that, here are a few I'll be joining.

Nat announced a new Japanese Literature Book Group and Read-along. I'll be joining along in the book group for The Old Capital and the Housekeeper and the Professor. I'm really looking forward to this one since I love Japanese culture.

The 24 Read-a-thon is back! It will be happening October 24-25th. Please go sign up and plan to join in the reading fun!

Blogging

Jackie shares some tips for new book bloggers and Florinda shares some thoughts on blogging burn-out.

If you're a fan of children's literature or young adult literature, the CYBILS are now accepting nominations. You can learn about what the CYBILS are and how they work at the CYBILS blog.

Other Stuff

I enjoyed this post from Shaun Groves on Sabbath rest.

Laura of Texas in Africa is starting a new series about community based initiatives in Africa that work to counter all of the negative news she always has to post. :)

Jen shares honestly about a moment of preconceived judgement she had in her usual humorous but honest way.

And finally Megan Crane tells it like it is about why Roman Polanski deserves no special treatment even if he is a genius. He is also a rapist and the message we are sending to girls by even entertaining thoughts of giving him a pass because of his talent is inexcusable. Rape is rape and it's wrong no matter who is doing it.

I hope you found something worth reading here! What are some great links you came across this week?