by Emily Roberts on December 29, 2012
Our generation has been blessed with a far more open-minded society – at least enough to move us a few inches ahead, compared to how things were a few decades back. As intelligent beings, it is inherent for the human mind to venture towards seldom tackled topics and interests. For writers and artists, there is a sense of satisfaction associated with being able to cover a respect or genre that is able to cause other minds to think and reflect, sometimes even to the point of controversy and debate.
This has been one of the major influencing factors of fiction, apart from having a colorful imagination. As writers continue exploring different subjects of interest, many have pushed the limits of what has been deemed socially acceptable. In numerous cases, convention has played the villain, putting extreme works in chains and out of the eyes of the public. Banned books are not much of a surprise these days, since authorities have been exiling a significant number of works from way back.
The question that remains to this day is this: if fiction was meant to explore and touch subjects which would rather be avoided in real life, wouldn’t banning such work take out all the fun – and purpose – for the writers and their readers? Violence, sexual content, race and ethnicity issues, politics, and most of all, religion – these are common denominators for most of the banned titles that we have come to hear about. What could the content be provoking for authorities to think that the readers would not be able to handle? In the earlier times, political agenda and religious rallying were the most likely reasons for keeping books off the hands of the public. In today’s more liberated, educated, mature and experienced minds, what would it take for censorship to prevail? If you have been watching movies and TV for the past years, it may be safe to say that we have seen pretty much everything. Will the time for revoking the ban on these books ever come – even with an entirely new audience of today?
Take a look at the top 10 banned titles of all time, posted on ShortList.com.
by Emily Roberts on December 28, 2012
If laughter is indeed the best medicine, then every sick person should get a hold of this list created by Dr. Gina Barreca. She puts down the importance of having a good laugh, and how she has found comic solace in the pages of a number of books. Take a look at her list of 30 seriously funny books on her column for Psychology Today.
by Emily Roberts on December 27, 2012
Fiction novels have always had their ways of creating controversy and making us think twice – perhaps the whole point of it all. Despite the creativity of these novels, censorship does have the final vote whether a book will make it to the shelves or not. Unfortunately, for these ten titles, the verdict was a no. Check out the top 10 banned book sof all time, as listed on ShortList.com.
by Emily Roberts on December 26, 2012
Millions of fanboys (and girls, perhaps) drool over graphic novel creations. The New York Times created its list of the best-selling graphic novels, with Grant Morrison’s “The Invisibles Omnibus” claiming the top spot. Find out what made his work so popular, and what other titles are included in the list, from Adam Kepler’s blog feature.
by Emily Roberts on December 25, 2012
There was a time when YouTube never existed, and people had no means of getting news through social media sites. All that people really relied on was the good old print – for announcements, advertisements, news, among many other things. Even book authors used this medium in promoting their latest novels. From Ernest Hemingway to Bob Dylan, check out how ads looked like minus the glam and glitter that we have come to know today from this compilation by Maria Popova.
by Emily Roberts on December 24, 2012
Movies based on books aren’t uncommon these days. This fall in 2012, viewers can expect to see 15 of their favorite novels converted to the big screen. Before they are shown on theaters, it’s good to take a look at what titles you should be looking for the next time you go to the movie house. Check out this postonBuzzSugar.com.
by Emily Roberts on December 23, 2012
Books are not just good company during rainy weather or long trips – they also act as support systems when we need to take a break from the real world and leave our problems for a while. Take a peek at what the latest book titles are this week, together with other bookish news:
- Thinking of giving a book as a Christmas gift? Here our 10 best titles for you to choose from. You can’t ever go wrong with a good read.
- What does it take for writers to resort to self-publication? It may take you by surprise that Canada’s best authors are not getting the corporate support and funding we believe they deserve.
- Chicago Tribune columnist John Warner shares a new activity cum methodology used to help depressed and emotionally distressed patients in coping with life.
- Mike Cassidy gives us the lowdown on this year’s Gift of Reading book drive. How better – or worse – has it gone compared to last year’s?
- Here’s a triple book review for all book addicts out there. See how Antifragile by Nassim Taleb, Alice Munro’s Dear Life, and Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington are faring.
- Finally, we talk about the many good things that people can get from reading. Don’t get shocked if your doctor prescribes you with a good book title on your next visit.
by Emily Roberts on December 22, 2012
The stresses and woes of the mind and soul are the most difficult to deal with – more than the superficial wounds of our bodies. Medicine and therapy may get us springing back on our two feet, facing the world with renewed vigor and strength, but if the scars run deeper than our very skins, then the story is likely to be a very different one.
Some of the emotional problems people face range from those as mundane as relationship problems to the life-threatening cases of depression and suicidal ideation. Conventional methods will “safekeep” individuals of such problems in support groups, giving them a dose of medication and a multitude of therapies.
A new experimental method is now making headway, suggesting that books are helpful, not just in schools and homes, but in the medical world as well. Who knew that the simple (and fun) act of reading books is not just good for enhancing one’s wisdom and understanding of the world? That reading is not just for passing the time in afternoons or when traveling? The advantages of reading reach down to the depths of the soul – and if you prefer, to the spirit.
Reading helps people; depressed or not, books take their minds off the things that aggravate their stresses and anxieties. Despite being in its experimental phase, whether reading would become a major part of cognitive-behavioral therapies or not, books are proving their worth to mankind all over again. Being able to lose yourself in a story, to an entirely different world, with just a few flips of a book’s pages is, indeed, marvelous in so many levels.
by Emily Roberts on December 21, 2012
If you’re like me who prefers seeing critics’ reviews before going ahead with buying the next books to read, then you will love The Guardian’s triple book review for the week. The books in the spotlight included Antifragile by Nassim Taleb, Alice Munro’s Dear Life, and Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington.
by Emily Roberts on December 20, 2012
We may have thought that gifting good literature has become a dying practice in 2011, but it seems like enthusiasts and supporters of reading are fighting the tough battle up to this day. The 2012 “Gift of Reading” book drive may be at a snail’s pace, but not everyone is giving up just yet. Learn more about the drive and how you can help from Mike Cassidy’s post.