Banned Books Week 2015
September 28, 2015 03:13 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
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Image courtesy: The American Library Association |
As both a reader and a writer, I stand with the American Library Association (ALA) this week in support of banned books. The ALA instituted Banned Books Week in 1982 to celebrate our right to freely choose and access books without censorship. While not every book may be intended for every reader, this celebration reminds us that each reader should have the right to choose for him or herself what to read. The freedom to read is a basic cornerstone of a democratic society that shouldn't be taken for granted. Books contain a wealth of information, which when accessed can expand our minds and hearts beyond our small corner of the world. There is much that can be learned from books if we take the time to read. Thanks to libraries around the world, those books are available at our fingertips, so long as others don't try to take that right away. Even when the efforts to ban or challenge books are well-intentioned, they can be detrimental to our society, because censorship takes away our right as individuals to choose and think for ourselves. That's why I encourage my readers to stand with me this week in support of banned books. |
August 2015 Book of the Month & Giveaway
September 24, 2015 05:35 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
My favorite five-star read for the month of August is a brand new contemporary romance/family saga by a wildly popular author. It's also the start of her new series of the same name. Now some readers – even some of the author's staunchest fans – admittedly didn't like this one as much as her others. The most common complaint I heard was that it's too much like a soap-opera. Well, I'll admit that it is. In fact, it strongly reminded me of the old '80's nighttime soaps like Dallas, Dynasty, or Falcon Crest. From me, however, that's a huge compliment, because I loved those shows, and I've been a regular viewer of some of the daytime soaps in the past too.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: J. R. Ward
Hump Day Hunks -- Toby Regbo
September 16, 2015 06:35 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
At not quite twenty-four years old yet, today's Hump Day Hunk is relatively new to the world of celebrity. From 2006 to 2013, he played a series of smaller roles in television shows and movies. Of note were his uncredited role as the Young Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and the role of protagonist, Jim Hawkins in the 2012 TV movie version of Treasure Island. He didn't really rise to stardom, though, until he was cast as Prince Francis in the hit CW TV series Reign, but unless you're a fan of the show like I am, you may still not have heard of him. His beautiful blue eyes and sandy blonde curly locks give him a gorgeous sexy look. IMHO, he's a talented actor too, who was born for the role of Francis the Prince turned King of France. In fact, I think he's my favorite character on Reign. And of course, this is only the beginning. He still has lots of time to mature as an actor and perhaps even gain super-stardom down the road. Not to mention, if you happen to be reading a YA or NA romance with a blond-haired, blue-eyed hero, he could be perfectly cast as that imaginary book boyfriend. Maybe he'll even inspire me to write one of my own.:-) That's why I'm naming Toby Regbo today's Hump Day Hunk. Enjoy!
Categories: Hump Day Hunks
Tags: Reign, Toby Regbo
Heart of the Season Signed Print Book Giveaway
September 11, 2015 07:18 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
From now through September 30, 2015, I'm running a giveaway on GoodReads for three signed print copies of Heart of the Season. Just click on the widget below to enter for your chance to win. Good luck!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Heart of the Season
by Julianna Douglas
Giveaway ends September 30, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Tags: Heart of the Season
