Changing my major

If the Action Philosophers comic book series had been available when I was in college, I would have been a philosophy major. At the very least, I would have earned a better grade. Seriously – this is great stuff. Thanks to Stef/Jared/Grinch/Dave for making me read it. (Note: the creative geniuses behind the series are grads of Syracuse University.)

I am in Kansas-prep mode, preparing for the conference on Friday. The nice thing about this conference is that there will be teenagers there, in addition to teachers. I am having fun reviewing my material for their presentations. The website for my hotel claims that there is a buffalo herd down the road. I sure hope so.

Banned Book Week is coming up September 23 – 30. I believe that one of the greatest strengths in America is our ability to read and think what we want, without interference from the government. In many places around the world, people do not have that right. Read more about Banned Book Week!!!

The ALA has a great place where you can vote for your favorite challenged book.

My poetical thought for this autumn day:

Gary and Jim sell me thin-skinned apples
– trees bristling like greedy porcupines –
melancholy, sour-sweet apples.
Winter stalks.

9 Replies to “Changing my major”

  1. I sent the link to the Action Philosophers website to my daughter, who wants to major in philosophy! I think she’ll love it.

    Say hi to the people in Kansas. I grew up in a small town not too far from Hays.

    Now I’m off to vote for my favorite challenged book!

  2. I work in the library at my school during one of my study halls, and the librarians are estatic about Banned Book week. They’ve asked me to take my picture with a banned/challeneged book.

    =)

  3. I wrote a paper about banned books and would like to send it into our town newspaper in the speak out section but since I got basically all my info about banned books from the ALA website, do I have to site after each “fact”? I have no idea how to site website stuff.
    Like,
    A few of the most challenged books for 2004 include The Chocolate War, Fallen Angels, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and Of Mice and Men. From 1990-2000 6, 364 books were challenged. Seventy one percent of these were for material in school libraries/schools, sixty percent by parents, and twenty four percent by patrons and administrators. Then site it here?

    Oh gosh. I just wanted to send it in and say READ BANNED BOOKS!!!!!! because they’re obviously some of the best books i’ve read.
    To be banned seems like it would be an honor.

  4. We here in Kansas are excited that you will be joining us on Friday for our Fall English Workshop. I’m an English major at Fort Hays and I’ll be helping in some capacity. I think I’m selling books but that could change between now and then.

    We do have a buffalo herd right on the outskirts of town but it is small. How long will you be in town? We have an excellent little historical musuem, and I could suggest some other sights to visit if you’re interested.

    It’s funny that you would post the link to the Action Philosophers comics, because that’s the class I will be late to on Friday!
    Can’t wait,
    Katie

  5. Thank you for the link! I will be voting soon.

    Right before I left work yesterday, we received a promotional kit regarding Banned Books Week – and we decided to start the education and celebration early! We’re going to run it for TWO weeks. I get to make the display and flyers on Monday morning! I’m psyched.

  6. FREAK

    YOU ARE A FREAK. YOU SCARE ME SOOOO MUCH. HONESTLY?????????????? WHAT ARE YOU??? AN ALIEN???? MAD WOMAN IN THE FOREST??? ARE YOU TRYING TO SCARE SMALL CHILDREN??????
    WE ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS…WE ARE NOT YOUR FAMILY…WE ARE NOT YOUR HEAVY BREATHING YOGA FANS!!!
    MORE IMPORTANTLY:
    WE ARE NOT YOUR INSPIRATION!!!!
    YOUR NEW BOOK???
    TWISTED???
    YOU ARE TWISTED!!! YOU FREAKY LADY!!!
    YOUR WEBSITE SHOULD BE FREAKY WRITER LADY . COM!!!
    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

    Okay. Sorry for yelling, but your book, Speak, greatly disturbed us. It was over dramatic. You aren’t a freak, (maybe a little…ok a lot…) But we do have support for our beliefs…Your novels simply….scare us…and our familys…and our friends…sorry, but it’s true.
    I hope your satisfied for ruining our childhoods…

    Love,
    Your non inspirational readers.

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