TGIF & Let’s Talk: 5/25/12

Hosted by GReads!

This Friday’s Question:

Show Me Your Cover: What are some of the worst book covers, but hold some of the best stories inside? Don’t be embarrassed, show us your cover!

Great topic! Some of us tend to whore out over covers, and let’s face it, the point of the cover is to attract attention. There are definitely some less than pleasing covers that have totally surprised me.

Let’s face it. Not a pretty cover. I will give it credit, however, for fitting in perfectly with this gothic horror.
Did you know this was Smash’s favorite book of all time? Well, now you do.

Again, not impressed. I like the old world feel of it all, but I don’t find the cover to be aesthetically pleasing. But what’s inside, is pure magic.

My oh my, has this series’ covers ever come a long way! Book one had a mediocre start, but it did not detract from my love of these characters and the world-building!

I’d love to hear what book covers surprised you with their intriguing contents!

Let’s Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it’s important that we all have our say, and there’s something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let’s Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don’t, it’s my hope that Let’s Talk will at least get you thinking…and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

I was alerted to this meme on Monday’s Blogger Confessions post. I want in!

 What are your thoughts on book censorship in schools?

This is one of my favorite topics to bitch and moan about. To quote previous bitchings by me, with some new flair thrown in…And yes, these are my opinions.

First off, CENSORSHIP IS WRONG. The whole topic ruffles my feathers something fierce. It is one thing to prohibit your child from viewing certain media. As a parent, that is your right. However, you have no right to censor others.

Secondly, as a social worker, I am a huge proponent of communication and expression of emotions. As I once stated over at On a Book Bender, I think a huge reason so many “tough issues” exist to begin with is because people do not express their emotions and talk about their problems! It is a reason many of us have relationship problems, in general. Books that toe the edge of uncomfortable or racy are banned or censored in schools because society does not want to talk about such icky things, and therefore, thinks sweeping them under the rug will make them go away. Wouldn’t that be marvelous thing? Utopia would be ours! Holla!

Keep dreaming. The damn fact of the matter is, these young people live in a REALLY UGLY WORLD and to deny them some semblance of truth, keeping them wrapped up in a tight cocoon of rainbows and cotton candy, is a serious disservice to them. We need to wake the frak up and smell the homeless, teen pregnancies and HIV. Our world is FILLED with ugly problems. Yes, I understand that if you give a kid a condom you are condoning sex. I get it. My liberal ass does understand your point. But if you lock up all the condoms, the sex will still happen. BELIEVE YOU ME. I work with adolescents. You would be horrified to hear what I hear. They are so ignorant when it comes to these things, even though they think they know it all. We – ADULTS – have to teach them, lead them so they don’t go astray. We have to open our damn mouths and speak. It is OUR job to teach the next generation how to take care of themselves, or give them a nudge in the right direction.

AUTHORS have this power.

Young people are experiencing a tumultuous time! They are forming their own identity and becoming autonomous from their family. They, by nature, are not very trusting of adults, and therefore, many go through some horrible shit without telling a soul. BOOKS can be their savior. They may help them realize that they can survive and that they are not alone. Most of all, however, books can urge them to seek help. And even if an adolescent is not experiencing the tough issues themselves, reading about them can only help one become more empathic and compassionate toward their troubled peers. And trust me, we need more empathy in the world.

No, I don’t think we should shove this information down their throats. Yes, I think it’s the parent’s decision to gauge their child’s maturity level and such, but keeping them sheltered can blow up in your face. As a social worker, I feel that these tough issue stories are extremely important to write and to read, for all of us. They raise awareness of these issues, and really give adolescents an opportunity to get in touch with their emotions and express them – something all of us could be better at. Take the time to get in touch with your own biases and stereotypes, and use this opportunity to discuss these issues with your children and students! Open the lines of communication within the family. Share a personal story. Let them know that they have support and love and should they experience any form of trauma, that they can rely on you. Don’t just walk through life ignoring the big bad ugly. These issues exist whether you want to admit it or not.

Ignorance is NOT bliss.

As you can see, I feel very strongly on this topic. What’s your stance? Don’t be afraid. I’m respectful.  

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