Banned Books Week is coming to an end. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982. Think it doesn't happen where you live? Think again! Check out this map of challenges in the US from 2007-2010.
Out of 460 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2009 the 10 most challenged titles were:
ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: nudity, sexually explicit, offensive language, drugs, and unsuited to age group
And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Reasons: racism, offensive language, unsuited to age group
Twilight (series), by Stephanie Meyer
Reasons: sexually explicit, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: sexaully explicit, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: sexism, homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, unsuited to age group, drugs, suicide, violence
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: sexually explicit, offensive language, unsuited to age group
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: sexually explicit, offensive language, unsuited to age group
The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: nudity, sexually explicit, offensive language, unsuited to age group
How many have you read? Have you celebrated your freedom to read this and every other week?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Guest Blogger
Today we have a special treat. We asked the author who will be visiting us tomorrow, Deb Baker aka Hannah Reed, if she would like to be a guest blogger . 
Q. I haven't started my blog yet for today so if you have something written that you would like to send I would be happy to have you on as a "guest blogger".
A. I don't have time to do a guest post. I'm signing today in Oshkosh and doing store drop-ins.
So there you have it, our first ever guest blogger!
Maybe I should have given her more than a twenty minute notice.
Plan B – here is the press release for her visit tomorrow:
Meet Hannah Reed. Hannah Reed is the pen name Deb Baker uses to write her just released Queen Bee mystery series. Deb was born in Escanaba, moved to Wisconsin in the 60s, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in English at the age of 45, but she imagines Hannah younger, sassier, and much more daring.
BayShore Books LLC in Oconto will be hosting a visit with Deb Baker aka Hannah Reed on Saturday September 11th from noon until 2pm. Her first novel, Murder Passes the Buck, earned her the Authorlink International First Novelist Award. She went on to write two others in the same series, which is set in Michigan. The first in her newest series, Buzz Off, has just been released with a 4 star review:
"... a rollicking good time. The colorful family members and townspeople provide plenty of relationship drama and entertainment. The mystery is well plotted and this series promises to keep readers buzzing." ~ Romantic Times
It’s September—National Honey Month—in Moraine, Wisconsin, and things are looking up for Story Fischer. Her messy divorce is final; the honey from her beekeeping business has been harvested; and the Wild Clover, the market she owns, is thriving. Life seems pretty sweet until her mentor in the honey business is found stung to death in his apiary.
Story is still trying to explain to the panicked locals that Manny was killed by wasps, not honey bees, when another body is found floating in the Oconomowoc River. This time the evidence points to Story’s ex. Sure, Clay’s a womanizer and a buzz kill—but a murderer?
With the townsfolk stirred up against her honeybees, and a handsome cop—who also happens to be Story’s former high school sweetheart—putting Clay in cuffs, it’s up to Story to get them both out of a very sticky situation.
Find out how this story ends by stopping in at BayShore Books LLC 302 Collins Avenue in Oconto, meet the author and have your copy signed from noon-2pm on Saturday September 11th. For more information or to reserve your copy, call 920-834-3220 or visit online at http://www.bayshorebooksllc.com/.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Lights, Camera, Action!
We had an exciting week at BayShore Books! Let me tell you about how this 
all got started first. Months ago I received a phone call from Roger Rapoport, who published a book called Waterwalk by Steven Faulkner. He found my blog about the book and the author’s visit to BayShore Books about two years ago and wanted to know if he could use the information to market the movie version he was producing. I gave him permission and then went back to find the blog. To my horror it was this smart a** piece more about my parenting skills, or lack thereof, than about the book!
Months later Roger called to ask if they could film a scene outside the bookstore. Who am I to say no?? Weeks later he made a surprise visit to check out the store and we discussed what would be needed. He said filming would begin in the end of August and would take a total of 28 days throughout Michigan and Wisconsin. Tuesday he called to let me know they would be here the next day.
The cast and crew arrived around 7pm and there was a bustle of activity. This case needed to be moved, more books here, bring a chair out, print up a sign, everyone moving and talking at once, thanking us while barking out orders. Suddenly they were all gone. One minute the lot was filled with people, the next it was completely empty. It turns out the moon was in a perfect position for the river shots, so they quickly packed up and headed toward the city docks. The female extra from Milwaukee returned to the store a number of times for costume changes, other than that we just waited.
all got started first. Months ago I received a phone call from Roger Rapoport, who published a book called Waterwalk by Steven Faulkner. He found my blog about the book and the author’s visit to BayShore Books about two years ago and wanted to know if he could use the information to market the movie version he was producing. I gave him permission and then went back to find the blog. To my horror it was this smart a** piece more about my parenting skills, or lack thereof, than about the book!Months later Roger called to ask if they could film a scene outside the bookstore. Who am I to say no?? Weeks later he made a surprise visit to check out the store and we discussed what would be needed. He said filming would begin in the end of August and would take a total of 28 days throughout Michigan and Wisconsin. Tuesday he called to let me know they would be here the next day.
The cast and crew arrived around 7pm and there was a bustle of activity. This case needed to be moved, more books here, bring a chair out, print up a sign, everyone moving and talking at once, thanking us while barking out orders. Suddenly they were all gone. One minute the lot was filled with people, the next it was completely empty. It turns out the moon was in a perfect position for the river shots, so they quickly packed up and headed toward the city docks. The female extra from Milwaukee returned to the store a number of times for costume changes, other than that we just waited.
Shortly after 10pm the activity resumed and it was definitely worth the wait. It’s very interesting to be a spectator on the set, watching the actors run through their lines while the director makes suggestions, one camera man needs more light, the other needs less, sound is perfect, QUIET ON THE SET! Action! Of course that’s the moment a car speeds by and the process needs to start all over again. The scene, which will probably be about five minutes in the completed film, wrapped up just after 1am.
The beautiful woman on the left was browsing the bookstore after hours. They operate on the honor system, just choose a book and put the money in the slot. It is perfect for addicts like her; she actually met her husband in the fiction section. The gentleman in the white shirt is the sound guy getting ready for the shot. The man in the shorts is the talented Robert Cicchini playing Steven Faulkner and the one behind him is absolutely adorable eighteen year old Chase Maser playing Faulkner's son.
The entire cast and crew helped haul books, cases, and furniture back into the store even after working since 7am that morning. They were amazing! They signed autographs, thanked us, shook hands or gave out hugs and were on their way. A dark independent bookstore on a quiet street in a small town once again by 2am.
*Find out more about the movie at waterwalkthemovie.com
Friday, August 20, 2010
You Have the Right...
There is a business in town that only allows one student in the store at a time. No exceptions. That is their policy and whether we agree or disagree they know what is best for their company and have the right to make that decision.
My business does not have this policy. It would be very difficult to encourage students to read more for pleasure if I didn’t allow them in their local independent bookstore. Groups of kids or teens gathered around a section grabbing books off the shelf and talking all at once is one of my favorite things about this job. This is not the library, no need for silence. Share that enthusiasm!
This is how I felt five years ago when we opened and this is still how I feel today. Over the years I have realized that some policies will have to be implemented, though, if I want to stay in business. The first is that all food and beverages stay on the table in front of the store while browsing. This came about after one gentleman with arms loaded dropped his cup splattering coffee over an entire display. Very expensive accident. For me, not him. It was an accident after all.
Backpacks and school bags are also left on this table or at the front counter. Many times I don’t even have to ask. The kids file in, dropping their bags on the way to their favorite sections near the back of the store. Sometimes we have one lonely backpack slung over the chair and sometimes the table is stacked with bags. This frees up little hands for turning pages and prevents bags full of homework from being left behind. And yes, it does prevent shoplifting. I never had a problem with this policy, never a complaint. Until today.
Last Saturday two girls stopped in to browse for the first time. They were visiting grandma and were very excited to discover the bookstore. When they walked in I greeted them and asked them to drop their bags on the table. They did without complaint and set off to get lost among the shelves. When the older of the two set her choice on the counter we had a great discussion about why that book was chosen and how excited she was to read it. Then they picked up their bags and were off on their merry way.
Today grandma stopped in very upset that I took away her granddaughter’s bag. She wanted to know if that was the policy because she has been telling everyone about this incident and they were all as shocked as she was. Her granddaughter was embarrassed and if I was worried about her stealing I should have just asked her to open her bag so I could see she didn’t hide a book in there. What? Asking the girls to set their bags on the table is embarrassing but singling one out to search her bag wouldn’t be?
This is a small town business, so we don’t set a lot of rules. More than a few kids have brought in their new puppy, kitty or baby sister for me to meet. They have visited in swimsuits and on roller blades. They read out loud to me, to each other, or to the stuffed dinosaur. They are like family and I would never intentionally embarrass or hurt them in any way. I believe searching their bags before they leave would be an injustice 99% of these kids no more deserve than 99% of the adults do. What do you think? Is our current policy offensive and more embarrassing that the alternative?
My business does not have this policy. It would be very difficult to encourage students to read more for pleasure if I didn’t allow them in their local independent bookstore. Groups of kids or teens gathered around a section grabbing books off the shelf and talking all at once is one of my favorite things about this job. This is not the library, no need for silence. Share that enthusiasm!
This is how I felt five years ago when we opened and this is still how I feel today. Over the years I have realized that some policies will have to be implemented, though, if I want to stay in business. The first is that all food and beverages stay on the table in front of the store while browsing. This came about after one gentleman with arms loaded dropped his cup splattering coffee over an entire display. Very expensive accident. For me, not him. It was an accident after all.
Backpacks and school bags are also left on this table or at the front counter. Many times I don’t even have to ask. The kids file in, dropping their bags on the way to their favorite sections near the back of the store. Sometimes we have one lonely backpack slung over the chair and sometimes the table is stacked with bags. This frees up little hands for turning pages and prevents bags full of homework from being left behind. And yes, it does prevent shoplifting. I never had a problem with this policy, never a complaint. Until today.
Last Saturday two girls stopped in to browse for the first time. They were visiting grandma and were very excited to discover the bookstore. When they walked in I greeted them and asked them to drop their bags on the table. They did without complaint and set off to get lost among the shelves. When the older of the two set her choice on the counter we had a great discussion about why that book was chosen and how excited she was to read it. Then they picked up their bags and were off on their merry way.
Today grandma stopped in very upset that I took away her granddaughter’s bag. She wanted to know if that was the policy because she has been telling everyone about this incident and they were all as shocked as she was. Her granddaughter was embarrassed and if I was worried about her stealing I should have just asked her to open her bag so I could see she didn’t hide a book in there. What? Asking the girls to set their bags on the table is embarrassing but singling one out to search her bag wouldn’t be?
This is a small town business, so we don’t set a lot of rules. More than a few kids have brought in their new puppy, kitty or baby sister for me to meet. They have visited in swimsuits and on roller blades. They read out loud to me, to each other, or to the stuffed dinosaur. They are like family and I would never intentionally embarrass or hurt them in any way. I believe searching their bags before they leave would be an injustice 99% of these kids no more deserve than 99% of the adults do. What do you think? Is our current policy offensive and more embarrassing that the alternative?
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Tale of Two Authors
I’m always excited to discover great reads from new authors. In May I found such a book and was eager to write my review. This past week I received an email from the author thanking me for the review and asking me to post it on Amazon. I was shocked to say the least!
After taking a deep breath I reminded myself that this is her first book and she may not be aware of how offensive this request is to an independent bookseller. Books that we are particularly excited about can be nominated for the Indie Next List which promotes new authors much better than one review among many on the online giant. I explained this to her as kindly as I could, pointing out that not only did I nominate her book, but it was chosen as a notable pick for August. The sting of her request was slightly diminished after looking at her site and seeing indiebound.org listed as a site to purchase her book.
On the flip side, in May of 2009 I wrote a short review of an amazingly
original first novel by Brian DeLeeuw. This one was chosen for the Indie Next List last summer. Yesterday in the mail I received the paperback version, which will be out in August. The book was not only signed, but personalized! Included was a letter from Brian thanking me (me - not "Dear Reader"!) for nominating In This Way I Was Saved and promising to thank me in person if he’s ever in Wisconsin. In the letter he discusses his strong feelings about the increasing relevance and necessity of independent bookstores in this current age of depersonalization and tells us to keep fighting the good fight. Wow! Now this is an author I want to support! He does not have a link to Indiebound on his website yet (Brian, if you are reading this, please add one.), but the first link to purchase his book is an independent bookstore. It is authors like Brian that make me love coming to work each day.
After taking a deep breath I reminded myself that this is her first book and she may not be aware of how offensive this request is to an independent bookseller. Books that we are particularly excited about can be nominated for the Indie Next List which promotes new authors much better than one review among many on the online giant. I explained this to her as kindly as I could, pointing out that not only did I nominate her book, but it was chosen as a notable pick for August. The sting of her request was slightly diminished after looking at her site and seeing indiebound.org listed as a site to purchase her book.
On the flip side, in May of 2009 I wrote a short review of an amazingly
original first novel by Brian DeLeeuw. This one was chosen for the Indie Next List last summer. Yesterday in the mail I received the paperback version, which will be out in August. The book was not only signed, but personalized! Included was a letter from Brian thanking me (me - not "Dear Reader"!) for nominating In This Way I Was Saved and promising to thank me in person if he’s ever in Wisconsin. In the letter he discusses his strong feelings about the increasing relevance and necessity of independent bookstores in this current age of depersonalization and tells us to keep fighting the good fight. Wow! Now this is an author I want to support! He does not have a link to Indiebound on his website yet (Brian, if you are reading this, please add one.), but the first link to purchase his book is an independent bookstore. It is authors like Brian that make me love coming to work each day. I had to include both covers and would love your opinion.
Personally, I prefer the hardcover (left) over the paperback (right)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Books to Babies
One week ago today I became a grandma. I know what you are thinking – I’m waaaaaaaay too young to be a grandmother and you would be right. My first born is on the verge of passing me up in age. Packing baby and new mommy up to come home from the hospital after an extended stay we all felt a little apprehensive. It’s been a few years since we had a baby in the house. The hospital did what they could to help with the transition by sending us home with everything we would need – a folder full of information, a t-shirt from the hospital, and baby’s first book.
Our hospital, in partnership with the local school district, started a Books to Babies program to spread the word about the importance of reading to newborns right from the start. Each newborn is sent home with a book and brochures about the benefits of reading to baby.
Like the folder full of information, we followed these instructions right from the beginning. Baby and mommy both have trouble staying awake during story time, but it gives them an opportunity to cuddle. When grandpa reads he adds in the animal sounds. The entire family perks up and listens in - what kind of noise could he possibly come up with for the gerbil?We don’t have much to offer a newborn, we are merely bookstore owners, but we have plenty of love and books – lots and lots of books. Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny are coming home tonight. Mommy put in a request for Pat the Bunny– with the stuffed bunny of course. Starting today and for the rest of his life, we will be building his personal library one book at a time. Any suggestions?
Friday, June 25, 2010
A Little Help Please
Looking around the store I can’t help noticing all the reviews haphazardly taped on shelf edges. These little slips of paper seem to really help customers make their selections, but they are also a big help to me.
I can’t tell you how many people have asked if I read every book in the store. I wish! I love to read or I wouldn’t be in this business. New books come out every week so there is no way I can keep up. More often than not the books I am most excited about sharing with my customers will not be published for months. So, what’s an overworked bookseller suppose to do?
Reviews help me decide if certain books will appeal to my customers. Those, along with blogs, articles, past sales and catalogs help me make buying decisions. They also help with recommendations.
This is why The BayShore Bookworms was created. Customers can help by reading and reviewing books. The program is geared toward new releases, but if you read something you can’t wait to talk about, write us a sentence or two about the book. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. These kids had no problem sharing their opinions. Grade school students and teens, how cool would it be to send your friends into the local bookstore for them to see your review displayed beneath your favorite book?
Join The BayShore Bookworms or just drop off any reviews you have written on your own. If you don’t know what to read next, stop in and let’s chat. Or read about why your friends and neighbors loved a book. This is a community bookstore, so your input is invaluable to us.
I can’t tell you how many people have asked if I read every book in the store. I wish! I love to read or I wouldn’t be in this business. New books come out every week so there is no way I can keep up. More often than not the books I am most excited about sharing with my customers will not be published for months. So, what’s an overworked bookseller suppose to do?
Reviews help me decide if certain books will appeal to my customers. Those, along with blogs, articles, past sales and catalogs help me make buying decisions. They also help with recommendations.
This is why The BayShore Bookworms was created. Customers can help by reading and reviewing books. The program is geared toward new releases, but if you read something you can’t wait to talk about, write us a sentence or two about the book. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. These kids had no problem sharing their opinions. Grade school students and teens, how cool would it be to send your friends into the local bookstore for them to see your review displayed beneath your favorite book?
Join The BayShore Bookworms or just drop off any reviews you have written on your own. If you don’t know what to read next, stop in and let’s chat. Or read about why your friends and neighbors loved a book. This is a community bookstore, so your input is invaluable to us.
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