Library Fangirl

More than 25,000 volunteers will give out half a million free books in nearly 6,000 towns this evening, in honor of World Book Night. Each volunteer will be given 20 specially printed copies of a book that they enjoy, to be selectively given to new or light readers in locations such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools for at risk kids, prisons, food pantries, parks, hair salons, subways, and diners, as well as four military bases overseas.

Oooh!  This needs to come to Canada!

More information about World Book Night at: www.us.worldbooknight.org

Anathema is a six issue limited series horror comic that tells the story of Mercy Barlowe, a tormented young woman with a dark side. She must fight through treacherous lands and unspeakable horrors to reclaim her lover’s soul, which has been stolen by members of a sinister cult, bent on resurrecting a terrible and ancient evil.

Looks interesting, and I really like the art~  The first issue has been published apparently, but the author is looking to raise enough money to finish the rest of the series.

Here’s a quick video appeal from Rachel Deering, the author, explaining the project.

I was wondering if she was still planning on doing this!  HUZZUH!  \o/

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom released its annual list of most frequently challenged books of 2011 yesterday, and the increased popularity of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian saga — in large part fueled by buzz surrounding the blockbuster film — drove the books higher on the list. In 2010, only the first novel cracked the top ten at number five. In 2011, all three books occupy the number three position, and the complaints have grown more varied: “anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence.”

This comes as no real surprise to anyone, I should think; the violence in the books alone would be enough to earn it a place on the ALA’s list.  It’s been a long time since I read the series myself, but I personally can’t remember off the top of my head what could be construed as occult or satanic themes — and I certainly have no idea why they would be singled out for being either:

• anti-ethnic: notwithstanding the blatant Hollywood whitewashing of cast in the movie adaptation (which I don’t think should even be accounted for when someone challenges the book,) I seem to remember there being a fairly diverse range of ethnic characters in the original story, even down to Katniss herself, who from her description I personally always imagined somewhat mixed-race. 
• anti-family: I find this claim even more bizarre, considering the entire reason Katniss volunteers herself as tribute is to save her sister from being entered in the Games herself.  Everything Katniss does is motivated by the desire to protect her family and friends.

The things some people choose to raise a stink about and challenge material over never ceases to amaze me.  I would hope that no school or public library would remove The Hunger Games from their collection, as I think they’re wonderful books, and — much like Harry Potter or even *shudder* Twilight — have created a swathe of new, avid young readers.  And how can that be anything but good?

The new book, to be published worldwide on 27 September including ebook and audio formats, begins with the unexpected death of Barry Fairweather, whose demise in his early 40s leaves a space on the parish council.

Publisher Little Brown said it would be a “blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising” novel.

It will be interesting to see how well this book does — not so much its sales (as they will no doubt be through the roof, simply from her name alone being on the dust jacket,) but review-wise.  I think the mind blowing success of Harry Potter has probably raised the bar to an impossible level in the eyes of many readers’ and is going to be used against her.  After all, when you can’t surpass expectations, you have to merely hope that you can meet them.

That aside, I still look forward to reading Rowling’s new novel.  ”Blackly comic”?  I’m sold.