bannedbookclub.forumsdot.com

The power of the written word cannot be denied. But why banned books? When I first decided I wanted to start an online book club, I originally wanted to read "the classics". After seeing the wide range of interest that sprang up from a variety of people, I thought we should not limit ourselves to books we may have already read, but should attack those we may not have. And what better way to do this than to read banned books? This encompasses everything from Animal Farm to The Satanic Verses to Flowers for Algernon. So here's what I propose:

* Everyone chooses a banned book. You can find lists online of banned books, and short explanations why they were banned. For example, at

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksw ... banned.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_books

* We read one book a month, allowing a few weeks to read the book, and a few weeks to discuss it. I know everyone has busy schedules that don't coincide; that's the beauty of an online book club. We get to discuss at our convenience.

* There is no guided discussion. After reading the book, post your opinion on the book and any questions you may want to raise. Then, discuss!

I am planning on leaving the country May 17th and returning June 9th, and my internet access will be limited during that time. For now, if you are still interested in the "Banned Book Club", make an account, and post a short summary of who you are (because we may not all know each other), and your suggestion for a book.

The first book will be announced some time early next week; check back to see what we'll be reading first, and start reading!

***Since I am still getting used to this forum, I have not yet figured out how to automatically allow users who have registered to post items. Once you've signed up, send me a message (via your favorite mode of contacting me) and I'll give you permissions.***

For example, here's my self-summary:

Hi, my name is Erin, and you probably heard about this club from me. I am a graduate student in astronomy studying in Ohio, and purposefully wanted to read books that aren't about physics .

My name is Cathy. I know Erin from being her teammate and roommate at American University (I feel like "how we know Erin" is an essential part of who we all are ) Currently I live in New York City, however I will be moving to Accra, Ghana for the summer. In the next few years I hope to go back to school to get my PhD in anthropology.

Hi! I'm Erin, also... though, to avoid confusion with the other Erin [hehe, okay, already confused again], I've pretty much adapted to any nickname people throw at me! I'm another one of those AU Hughes 7 people. After AU I stayed down in DC (though still claim Philadelphia as my home) and am working for an amazing company doing litigative accounting...it's more exciting than it sounds, trust me!

I'm Kara. I know Erin through my boyfriend, Jimmy, who is a graduate student in the same department at UT as Erin. I am originally from Massachusetts (and I act very much like a New Englander), but I am currently residing in Toledo, Ohio. I work at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor as a research assistant in Aquatic Ecology. This fall, I will be a graduate student at UT (Environmental Microbiology), but I am starting my research this July. Normally, when asked for an intro, I right a short novel...(I love to talk)...but I'll end it here as this seems to be the norm

Hi. I'm Lindsay. I lived with Erin A and Cathy our senior year at American. Now I live in Chicago where I work as an educational Jane-of-all-trades for a spunky little 9-year-old quadrapelegic. My charge can't speak so I like to tell people I play 20 questions for a living. I was a lit minor and am starting to really miss takling to people about books. I have a nice list of banned books I've loved and banned books I'd love to read for the first time.

Hi, I'm Kate. I know Erin from American University (I was a Hughes 7 freshman when she was a senior...). I am graduating from AU this weekend, and starting law school at Georgetown in the fall. I love the idea of a banned book club, and can't wait to start reading!

Hi, my name is Billie and I went to high school with Kara who told me about this. I originally from New Bedford, MA but currently I'm in PLymouth Meeting pa I got my BFA art education certification at UArts. I have always loved reading and banned books just makes it more appealing.

Hi, my name is Billie and I went to high school with Kara who told me about this. I originally from New Bedford, MA but currently I'm in PLymouth Meeting pa I got my BFA art education certification at UArts. I have always loved reading and banned books just makes it more appealing.