Last week was Banned Books week and to celebrate/participate, I decided that I'd read a banned book. My choice -The Giver by Lois Lowry. I'm still reading it but I can already see why it was banned in some places. It's message is a scary one where the concept of "sameness" is actually a detriment to society rather than reveling in our unique selves. It creates a world where humans are not allowed to speak out, to be individuals. That is a scary thought indeed, and I can see where some folks might not like the message in this book. The irony is that by banning the book, by stifling individual thinking, the book banners are doing the same thing the society in the Giver explores.
I had to stop reading The Giver because I'm being what is called a Beta reader for a friend of mine whose book is coming out soon. A Beta reader is someone who reads a book for an author giving notes on what works and doesn't work within the story, and also correct and grammar, structural issues. I can't speak on the book yet, but so far it's a good read and I'm glad to be able to do this for my friend.
I had to stop reading The Giver because I'm being what is called a Beta reader for a friend of mine whose book is coming out soon. A Beta reader is someone who reads a book for an author giving notes on what works and doesn't work within the story, and also correct and grammar, structural issues. I can't speak on the book yet, but so far it's a good read and I'm glad to be able to do this for my friend.