(Sorry, for the Picture of me. I struggle still to get quality photos.)
Introduction:
Good Evening Gaggers, for my next myTake, I'd like to discuss National Banned Book Week. A week in September, where Americans of all ages read and advocate for literature that have been declared to be too offensive for viewers. Now, as someone who owns and has read "banned" and "challanged" books, I've had fantastic experiences reading them, as much as I've had horrid. When it comes to reading "offensive" material in the name of free speech, I shall make it known that one must be cautious about how much a Reader can stomach, the importance of understanding the purpose of why the sensitive material was written in that context, and knowing the reason as to why you have chosen to place these stories inside your very being. This way, I can hope to spare you of the dreaded, "Reader's Remorse". If you are interested in reading a banned book, my advice to you should be taken into account:
Rule # 1: Always, Always, Do Your Research on the Authors Life.
Nine times out of ten, the author's life will determine the stories he/she will tell. For example, Ernest Hemingway was a great American writer-and currently a "banned" writer, because of his life growing-up in the thick of WWI and The Roaring 1920's. A realm of Sex, Drugs, Secularisim, and Violence. He was the type of writer whom would become cheerful one day and somber the next. He was also an Anti-Theist. He would also live life up to a certain point, where one can feel cheap thrills, until the thrill was fleeting-then he chose to live no more and killed himself at 65 years of age. Because of studying his biography, I have no interest of reading his works for pleasure. C.S Lewis, on the other hand, was a former Atheist and Christian philospher of the Modern 20th century. He was a stodgey, old professer during the WWII and Post WWII eras of London, England. During that time, he was the writer who wrote the timeless, Chronices of Narnia series for his niece who was curious about knowing Jesus and Chrstianity. Today, it still captivates young audiences. I myself, have read the entire series, and if you would pardon my comment, I think it 's much better than reading Harry Potter. *gasp*. I just love the Christian allegory about sin and redemption.
Rule # 2: Read the Summaries and Reviews of the Material via Sparknotes.
Robert Cormeir was my worst case of Reader's Remorse. When I was reading The Chocolate War, I had an idea in mind that it would be a bleak novel. Yet, I was not aware of the novel being very bleak and extremely gruesome. I read a summary from Wikipideia that failed to give important details about the story. Sadly, when I was fourteen, I remember puking and wailing in my bathroom after reading of the unfortunate tragety of Jerry Renualt-and how he failed to defeat the evil Archie Costello and his petty gain of cowardly Vigils. Besides that, I detested the violent detail about Danny having a rape fantasy towards a young lady eating in the diner. To make matters worse, every novel I read from him had a dismal and pointless ending, to the point where I feel the need to break my silence and lament. Okay, here it goes:I HATE READING HIS DUMB MATERIAL! His books did nothing but highlight all the pains and sorrows, I ever felt as an older child to the point where I started to self-harm. *breathes* Alright, I think I can continue.
Rule # 3: Know Your Limits and Boundries.
I'm a generally sensitive and comical. I love humor, postive thoughts and anything that can help me overcome and continue living life. Copious amounts of dark material tends to drain and depress me. If you are someone like me-try your best to stick to comedic writings like Mark Twain or Harper Lee. Your psyche will thank you. If not, then read to your heart's content. Also, if you feel uncomfortable about reading books with incest or homosexuality, then see above.
Rule # 4: Have Fun and Be Safe.
I hoped you enjoyed reading my article.
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