American Writers Museum

What do China, Germany, Korea, Scotland, Brazil, and Ireland have that the U.S. does not have? A national writers museum. Although the U.S. has over 17,000 museums, there isn't a single one dedicated to the plethora of fabulous authors this country has produced. Yes, there are small museums that showcase a single writer, usually in his or her former home, but there isn't a national institution that celebrates all writers.
A new foundation is working to right that wrong, hoping to launch the American Writers Museum in Chicago in 2015. In the plans are core exhibits that will highlight the history of American literature in chronological order.
Other planned exhibits include Nobel Laureates, Great Characters in American Literature, Poetry of Revolution, Rare Books, Children's Literature, and Censorship: Banned Books. There will also be a Hall of Honor for major award winners, as well as art and photography exhibits to celebrate cover art.
I'm making a donation to be a Chapter One Patron. If you love books, consider supporting this amazing museum by clicking here.

World Book Night: A Handmaid's Tale

I was thrilled to be selected to distribute free books this year for World Book Night, which will take place next week on April 23. And I was even more excited when I discovered that I would be able to give away one of my favorites: The Handmaid's Tale.

I first read Margaret Atwood's incredible novel in college. I remember thinking that it was beautifully written and disturbing...and that nothing like it could ever happen in reality.

Reading it again today, decades later, the book is chillingly familiar, with themes that resonate around our current culture and politics. In fact, The Handmaid's Tale almost feels too close for comfort when viewed against our society's debates about religion and its role in politics.
In the book's fictional realm of Gilead, a military coup has been staged by a right-wing, ultra-religious, homophobic cult that sees itself as the solution to social ills and "degradation." The coup starts with a terrorist attack, falsely blamed on Islamic militants. The attack kills the president and many members of Congress, so the Sons of Jacob take over, suspending the constitution and setting new religious and social rules as a way of "restoring order." The sexes are segregated, as are all non-white races, any child with a birth defect is made to "disappear," and homosexuality is punishable by death.
Part of that new theocracy, and the heart of the novel, involves removing the rights of all women and creating an ultra-conservative social agenda. Women are now forbidden to read, to hold jobs outside of the home, to vote, or to be in public view at all. And, as part of a plan to reverse the declining birth rate, some women who have proven to be fertile must now serve as concubines to high-ranking officials to help continue the line of "right thinking" people.
Offred is one of these "handmaids," assigned to The Commander to produce an heir for him and his wife, who is assumed to be (and is blamed for) being sterile. Offred is seen only to be a tool and nothing more; even her name is a derivation of The Commander's (of-Fred). Her spirit has been crushed by the subjugation of the totalitarian Sons of Jacob. Although Offred had children in her pre-revolution life, she doesn't appear to be able to become pregnant with The Commander.
With all of their livelihoods depending on a child, The Commander's wife insists that Offred have a relationship with Nick, the family chauffeur. With Nick, Offred learns that there is a resistance movement called Mayday, and that there could be hope for change in her world. The book ends uncertainly, as life often does, but an epilogue suggests a more positive future for Gilead.
I recently asked a few college-age young women if they had read The Handmaid's Tale, and was quite surprised that it no long appears on university required-reading lists. In fact, in an ironic twist that would be funny if it wasn't so frightening, Atwood's novel is often found on lists of banned books. Given that its themes are about censorship and controlling governments, that's a stunning statement.
So look for me on April 23 – I'll give you a free copy of this mind-altering and "subversive" text. Maybe it should be renamed The Cautionary's Tale.

NaNoWriMo Is a No-Go

Well I tried. I joined the National Novel Writing Month campaign with over 200,000 others, all of us trying to write a novel from start to finish in the 30 days that hath November.

I failed.
But, on the bright side, I did write about 30,000 words. That's more than half of the NaNoWriMo goal of 50,000 words. So I've got that going for me.
And I did it in a month in which I also moved house. There was even a point where I couldn't find my laptop, a pen, paper, or anything else that would allow me to write.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Lots of excuses. I do have to say it was fun, even if I didn't finish by the deadline. I liked the idea of thousands of others hunched over keyboards with me, trying to get thoughts into some sort of order.
I also enjoyed the emails of encouragement and the hints to unblock my brain. So I will keep writing, just like I always have. But I'll do it now with a bigger sense of all the others out there who are trying to keep their creative muse happy, too.
Now for a sneak peek at tomorrow's post ― I'll have a review of the new Janet Evanovich book, accompanied by a recipe sent to me by Ms. Evanovich herself. Stay tuned!

Banned Books

It is National Banned Books Week, which is held to celebrate the freedom to read what we want. This is the 30th anniversary of the event, organized by the American Library Association in support of our First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. That doesn't mean you have to agree with what someone is saying, or that you have to allow your child to read a book that you deem inappropriate for their age. But it does mean that you can't prohibit everyone else from reading that book. Three books that found their way onto banned or restricted lists this year are below. For more banned book lists, or for more information about this week, click here.

The Curious Incident of the Dog
in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Christopher John Francis Boone is an amazing 15-year-old. He can name all the countries of the world and he can manipulate numbers in his head with computer-like speed. But Christopher is autistic and has trouble understanding human emotions; he even carries a cheat sheet of facial expressions so he can comprehend his interactions with others. Only animals are easy for him to understand. When a neighbor's dog dies, Christopher is accused of the crime. He decides that he will follow in the footsteps of his hero, Sherlock Holmes, and find the true criminal. Curious Incident is a touching, funny, and insightful look at an autistic boy whose mind just works a little differently.
Removed from the Lake Fenton, Mich., summer reading program after parents complained about its “foul language.” (2004 - Knopf Doubleday)

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
I discovered the first of this trilogy a couple of years ago and was completely enthralled. Suzanne Collins imagines a future where the government maintains tight control over its 12 districts by demanding a harsh tribute of two children chosen by lottery from each territory who will fight in a televised gladiator game. Katniss offers to take her younger sister's place to fight to the death. She sees no other way except to join in the inhuman reality show, but will she lose her own humanity along the way? This is a searing look at our own modern world, and its fascination with violent games, reality television, and an occasional inability to see the danger in blindly following others. Look for the filmed version of this book in December.
Challenged and presented to the Goffstown, N.H., school board by a parent claiming that it gave her 11-year-old nightmares and could numb other students to the effects of violence. (2008 - Scholastic)

The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
The ironic thing about this title being on a banned book list is that it is often held up as a warning against dictatorial societies that repress an individual's rights. The Nazis were well-known for banning and burning books that they deemed inappropriate, or that did not agree with the party line.
Anne Frank was not a paragon of virtue. Much like any other teenager throughout time, she struggled at that precipice between childhood and adulthood. But she went through her awkward teen years locked in an attic and in fear for her life and the lives of those she loved.
I would hate for anyone to read my early diaries. It literally makes me squirm to think about it ― all the earnest writings and over-the-top emotions. But Anne's diary shows her strength and her vulnerability in the face of situations that we all encounter, in a time that I hope we never live through again.
Challenged at the Culpeper County, Va., public schools by a parent requesting that her daughter not be required to read the book aloud. The director of instruction announced the edition published on the 50th anniversary of Frank’s death will not be used in the future despite the fact the school system did not follow its own policy for handling complaints. The remarks brought criticism and international attention to the school system. The superintendent said, however, that the book will remain a part of English classes. (1947 - Doubleday)