If you’re anything like me, you find the psychology of cults very interesting. I cannot tell you the amount of hours I have devoted to reading about Heaven’s Gate, Scientology, Children of God, and Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Growing up, I had friends who were in a cult and I think that probably sparked the fascination …
Author Archives: ThePluckyReader
We Are All New York
I’m sitting here in an apartment overlooking Midtown and listening to the sounds of New York City. I’m at a white desk, typing on my laptop and I wonder: is this what Carrie Bradshaw felt like? Did she sit, narrate in her head, and write with awe and wonder at the city around her? Or …
Banned Books Week – Of Mice and Men
Did you know that 56% of book challenges take place at public libraries? Libraries which are supposed to represent the communities which they serve. Libraries which are supposed to be places of acceptance and information. It doesn’t make sense to me that people ask libraries–the public forum for books and information–to ban books. But maybe …
Banned Books Week – A Separate Peace
Do you want to know the quickest way to get me to read a book? Call it a “filthy, trashy sex novel.” And in 1980, somebody did just that with today’s challenged book. You’ll notice from the graphic above (provided by ALA.org) that one of the biggest reasons books are challenged is sexual content. Because, …
Banned Books Week – To Kill a Mockingbird
You’d think that in this forward-thinking society, books would stand a chance, right? Wrong. Books are being banned and challenged today. And I don’t mean just new releases. It’s not like people are standing in line picketing the latest Stephen King novel. I don’t mean to say that modern releases aren’t being challenged. I just …
Banned Books Week – The Wizard of Oz
How dare L. Frank Baum create such a role modern of feminism at the turn of the century? I hope he was ashamed of himself for the amazing character that he crafted in Dorothy.
Banned Books Week – Looking for Alaska
It’s my favorite literary week of the year! Happy Banned Books Week, reader! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Banned Books week I’ve provided some information, before I begin talking about my favorite banned books. What is Banned Books Week? Banned Books Week is the annual celebration of the freedom to read. Every …
Review – The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes
Some time ago, I read that Rick Riordan was opening his own publishing imprint. As an avid reader of Riordan’s work, I was pumped. The more I read, the more excited I got. Not only was he starting an imprint, he was going to use this imprint and his influence to publish original middle-grade works by …
Review – Fresh Ink edited by Lamar Giles
Several months ago, I received an ARC for this anthology, Fresh Ink. It’s been sitting in my Kindle for far longer than I’d care to admit. I remember reading the description and thinking it sounded so interesting and, well, fresh. And then, I guess I just forgot about it. Recently I was roaming the shelves of Barnes …
Living Life with Regret
I know you are supposed to live life without regrets. I know that we are supposed to treat everyday like it’s our last and make sure the things we do are worthwhile. I know that we are expected to be intentional in the things we do and the things we say so that we never …
