Category Archives: On Reading

Censorship is a Loser’s Game

Posted on 1 October 2023 by Barbara Howe

When the American Library Association’s annual Banned Book Week rolls around, it’s hard to feel optimistic, isn’t it? Especially this year, with the number of reported book challenges doubling and state governments actively involved in censorship. But here’s the thing: … Continue reading →

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Banned Book Week 2022

Posted on 17 September 2022 by Barbara Howe

It is, once again, Banned Book Week: the American Library Association’s yearly campaign to draw attention to efforts to remove certain books from classrooms and libraries. Their current list of the most frequently challenged books is here. As far as … Continue reading →

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Death and Taxes

Posted on 1 April 2022 by Barbara Howe

Death and taxes: the only things certain in this world, and they’ve taken a toll on us over the last few weeks. Between a funeral (of a friend and former neighbour, not a family member) and some complications in our … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Historical Mysteries, Mysteries, On Reading | 2 Comments

2022 Preview

Posted on 1 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

My family are the best! They gave me books, chocolate, and a lovely large blank book for the next instalment in my reader’s journal. I’m all set. Between the books in the picture above, and several more on my e-reader, … Continue reading →

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2021 Recap

Posted on 18 December 2021 by Barbara Howe

For this end-of-year review, I’ve come up with a baker’s dozen of books, or set of books—some old, some new—that were most memorable or most fun for me this year. There’s lots of engrossing fiction being published, so winnowing them … Continue reading →

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Banned Book Week 2021

Posted on 25 September 2021 by Barbara Howe

The first headline to catch my eye this morning read “Pennsylvania school district reverses ban on books by authors of colour”. Excellent timing for the beginning of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Banned Book Week. Feel like celebrating? I don’t, … Continue reading →

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2020 Recap

Posted on 18 December 2020 by Barbara Howe

The Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið (literally, Christmas Book Flood) warms my heart, since it involves settling into a comfortable spot,eating chocolate, and reading books. The custom, as I understand it, of giving books (books are, apparently, the default Christmas gift) … Continue reading →

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Banned Books Week

Posted on 21 September 2019 by Barbara Howe

This coming week, 22 – 28 September 2019, is this year’s American Library Association’s Banned Book Week. I’m familiar with several entries in their list of 2018’s most challenged books, and have already blogged about both Alex Gino’s George—number one … Continue reading →

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Abandoning Books

Posted on 30 June 2019 by Barbara Howe

For most of my life, I would plow through and finish every novel I started, even if it wasn’t very good and/or I wasn’t enjoying it. I’d feel guilty if I abandoned one partway through. Those guilty feelings were probably … Continue reading →

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2018 Recap

Posted on 29 December 2018 by Barbara Howe

Out of the six dozen or so books I read (or started and abandoned) this year, here are the ones that were most successful in capturing my attention and drawing me into that state of willing suspension of disbelief long … Continue reading →

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