In case you haven’t been paying attention, I’ve been talking a lot about banned and challenged books for the past week.

As usual, the party is over and I still have things to say.  Thus, you are being treated to some random thoughts about banned and challenged books:

* And Tango Makes Three-  I really can’t think of a more ridiculous thing over which to get worked up! You would think that it was a penguin homo-erotic Kama Sutra from the way people got knocked out of whack.  It is a true story about two penguins (who happen to be male) who raised an egg (that could not be taken care of by the birth parents) and made a family of sorts.  Very sweet and not at all scandalous, IMHO.

* Brave New World- Published in 1932 and it is still making the “most challenged” list…the father of dystopian literature, this book isn’t going anywhere.

* The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian- I highly recommend the audio version of this book.  We listened to it on a grueling weekend road trip and we all loved it.  That never happens– I mean absolutely never– so that makes it worth a read/listen all on its own!

*Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America- I was absolutely astounded when I saw this on the current “most challenged” list.  I read this book shortly after release and truly could not think of anything that might deem it challenge worthy.  I suppose the brutal truth that a person working a minimum wage (or below) job cannot make it in the US might be offensive to some.  In all honesty, the book wasn’t that good, so Barbara Ehrenreich must be thanking her lucky stars for offending someone enough to make the list.

* If I am ever fortunate enough to have a book published, please, PLEASE challenge it with your local public library, school and bookstore.  Be sure to stir up a big stink, so that it spreads all around the country.  You just can’t buy publicity like that.

Read On, Nerd Out.