Warning! The Banned Books are coming, to fill your mind with knowledge and free...Thinking!

Warning! The Banned books are coming, to fill your mind with Knowledge and free..thinking!

Basically what I learned from writing this post is, if you want your book to go down in history, as great, it needs to be banned. Every book on this list was banned, and is still getting banned. Authors should start putting a disclaimer on their books telling people it was banned, they would sell a lot more copies. People would read more classic’s. Because hey lets face it.. We like the juicy stuff don’t we. One other note from this list is pretty much every book on this list is either a national book award winner, or New York Times best seller..

I do not believe in censorship to the masses no matter how bad the book. Information should flow freely. It should never be stopped because of the views of one person, or a group. So here is a list of the ten most banned books ever. And also a list of some of the greatest books ever written!

The adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain, was banned in 1885. Not even a year after it was published, for its “course language” (manly slang words) and not for its use of  the N word 200 times. Seems to me people had their priorities messed up in 1885. This book has been banned many times since. The most recent being a Tempe Arizona high school having it banned from its reading list in 1998.

My advice and opinion: This book is pretty tame by today’s standards, as far as slang goes. I mean we do live in the land of “LOL” and “OMG” and as far as the N word goes, listen to almost any rap song. My advice is too read this book if you haven’t already.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov  Is a story about a pedophile… French officials banned this book for being “obscene.” The author almost destroyed his manuscript, by fire in disgust. You know this book was bad if the books own author wanted to destroy it. But still…

My advice and opinion: Ya, it’s a despicable story, about a despicable person, but its fiction. And if you can’t tell the truth when you write, then you should not write. My advice give it a look, if you can’t make it through there’s always the fireplace. Although I think you’ll read it all the way through.

The Catcher in the rye by J.D. Salinger Is a New York Times Bestseller, and a classic, but back in 1960 an English teacher in Tulsa Oklahoma was fired for assigning the book to a 11th grade English class…. What is this Footloose! Another community in Columbus Ohio, said it was “anti-white” Need I say more. The book was also criticized for its use of the slang word “screw up.” And by the way that Holden Caulfield is a bad influence!

My advice and opinion: By today's standards, Holden Caulfield would just be a shy kid, but this book is still getting flack! Give it up people! My advice Read this book! If you haven’t read this book, I would seriously have to ask you if you even like reading.

Harry potter series by J.K. Rowling, Yup! You heard me correctly. Apparently people in Lewiston Maine found that J.K. Rowling was promoting violence, witchcraft, and devil worship. But they did not get to burn Harry Potter at the stake because of fire codes, so they had to resort to a pair of scissors. Didn't these Northeastern people learn anything from the Salem witch trials. I think Harry Potter promotes imagination, oooohhhhh what a bad thing to have!

My advice and opinion: These people couldn't find their patronis if it was attached to there hogwart! Maybe they should read the books and get some pleasure out of life….? These books are harmless. Your kids video games are going to mess up their brains a lot more than Harry ever could!

The Anarchist cookbook by William Powell, angered government officials, as well as anarchist groups. This book was banned by just about everyone. The really doesn't have anything in it you can’t Google now a days. Powell tried to censor his book later, after he converted to Christianity. In 2000 he wrote on Amazon.com that his book was a “misguided product of my adolescent anger at the prospect of being drafted and sent to Vietnam to fight in a war that I did not believe in.”

My advice and opinion: My opinion is nothing should be censored. Yes this book shows you how to make pipe bombs. And it seems the people who buy this book tend to be a little off. But most of those people are not smart enough to use the recipe’s in this book. My advice is leave this book alone, you’ll blow your arm off…

I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou, This book was a National Book award winner. People did not like it because Maya pretty much told the truth about racism, sex, and rape. I guess the truth hurts sometimes. She read a poem from the book, for president Bill Clinton’s inauguration, this is something that hadn't been done since Robert Frost read one of his poems for the Kennedy inauguration in 1960, but this book was banned…

My advice and opinion: If you don’t like the truth don’t read Maya Angelou. But if you don’t read her, your missing out. Don’t deprive yourself of this great writer. Maya Angelou writes about ugly things in this book, but she shows you there is poetry in despair. Her poetry is beautiful and thought-provoking. Shes one of those writers that can show you something so ugly, and make it look beautiful in the end.

Candide by Voltaire, was written in the 18th century, and was not immune to criticism. This book basically makes fun of everyone. Armies, church’s, and philosophers. Probably the most recent banning, would be in the 1930s, when US customs agents seized copies of the book. And then once again in 1944 when the US post Office demanded the book be dropped from the Concord books catalog.

My advice and opinion: It’s a good thing to laugh at subjects that take themselves to seriously. I’m amazed this book was banned as late as 1944, it was written almost 300 years ago! It is a book that is relevant in this day and age. The modern political system of today, mirrors the past. And it’s still fun to laugh at. Buy this book, read it, and give it to someone else so they can have a good laugh to. Maybe you’ll get the 18th century humor better than I did.

Nineteen eighty-four by George Orwell Is an ironic story of a banned book. Considering the subject matter of the book. It’s about censorship, totalitarianism, a society robbed of its free will, privacy, and truth. Hmmm, how similar to modern society.  I consider it George’s last warning to mankind, since he was dying while he wrote it. This book was banned in 1981. The people behind the ban, said the book was “ pro communist.” Showing that they had never read the book. Orwell coined the name “Big Brother.”

My advice and opinion: George Orwell predicted the future in my opinion. If you read this book, and then look around at your surroundings, you will see that this is true. With our Facebook and twitter, and cameras on stop lights. Do all these things really make the world a better place? Or are we selling our freewill one post or comment at a time. My advice… Read this book! This book should be read by everyone who values thought and free expression. He shows what can happen when people stop thinking for themselves, and solely let  their government to make their decisions for them. Very important book…

The Satanic Verses by Salmon Rushdie, No book in the history of books was more banned, and criticized than the Satanic Verse’s. Rushdie lived in hiding for 10 years because of this book. It sparked riots, and death threats to any one that owned it, or sold it. In Venezuela they put you in prison for 15 months just for possessing it! Walden books and Barnes and Noble stopped selling it because of death threats. You think Christians get mad when someone takes a jab at Jesus, well don’t ever make a jab at the prophet Mohammed…

My advice and opinion: The riots and craziness this book sparked, just makes you want to read it even more. If you truly want a book to go away, just ignore it! The title is explosive on its own, but the subject matter is even more so. The publicity people gave this book, in there arguing and for crying out loud.. Rioting! Made it what it is. I would say most of the people who hate this book, have never read it. As is the case with most banned books…. Find your own opinion. Read this book.

Brave new world by Aldous Huxley, This is another one of those ironic case’s of people banning a book that mirror’s the society of today. The book speaks of a boring, drugged up, and over stimulated population….. Sex, drugs and suicide run through out this book. The main character is just trying to find a life worth living. This book had censors flicking there Bic lighters, just waiting to set on fire! Why? Because it spoke the truth… In Corona-Norco California people banned it because the book “centered around negativity.” Really…..!

My advice and opinion: I remember reading this book when I was 20 years old, and thinking how much it mimicked the world I lived in. I put the book down, and got ready to go out with my friends to play a gig at a seedy little bar in Las Vegas. I walked into the bar, and the first conversation I overheard, was a girl telling her friend how she couldn't function unless she took a Soma before she went out. A grin passed my face, and I got on stage to play the show. Read this book. It will change your perspective on prescription drugs, and what you view as a successful person.

Don’t ever let anybody tell you what you should read, or how you should think! Read and become powerful! 

Weird Vinyl, and other oddities. But hey Record store day is coming!

Older post of mine from jamulbooksandmusic.com Record store day was just around the corner

Just the other day My neighbors 6 year old was over playing with “Huey” my dog. He looked up as I was putting a record on (yes I have a record player).

“What is that?!” He said.
“It’s a record.” I said.
“Whats a record.” He said.
“It plays music.” I said.
“like a big CD” he said.
“Ya sorta.” I said.
My bones started to ache from the years I was feeling, but then the ache abruptly stopped, and I thought “Hey at least he knows what a CD is….
So in a show of support for record store day on April 16, This list will be the 10 weirdest album covers I have ever seen. Its a list from the days of yore, when there was no twitter, or Facebook! Gasp! When you had to physically go to the record store, and wade through crazy music like on this list just to find your gem. Buying an album was an event! You would get home, blow of the dust on the record, place it on the turntable, put on your big headphones and listen to the music while you read the liner notes.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!disclaimer!!!!!!!!!!!
This is not a list of good music! This is the crazy stuff you would find while you were looking for your good music. Enjoy!

1) “Jesus use Me” By The Faith Tones First off use you for what? This album is creepy in so many ways, I could probably write a book about its creepyness! I mean look at those beehives!

2) If I was a women by Ira North If you were a women Ira, you would be an ugly one. And furthermore Ira I don’t think you have ever been around a women long enough to even form an opinion! Oh Ira….

3) Sound Effects of Death and Horror This album looks like something I would see in a fire and brimstone Bible. And I have no idea who would want to listen to the sound effects of death and horror all day, but hey what do I know.

4) Amen! Beverly Massege Ok…. This lady loves her ventriloquist dummy a little too much. Amen this album wasn’t a top ten hit! I don’t eve know what to say…. The cover speaks for its self.

5) JO-JO Parodije by Svetlana Miljus Cajka Something was lost in translation on this one. She looks like one of the rejects from a White Snake video!

6) I punch you by Weird Paul Petroskey Why so hostel Pauly? This album cover exudes creepyness. I think of some guy cutting a record in a polyester suit, sportin a gold tooth. “Hey Paul what do you want to call the album?” Paul: “I want to call it I punch you, and I want a picture of a plastic baby doll on the cover.” Who was the guy who said that was ok?

7) For your Entertainment by Adam Lambert Yes! I said it! The guys creepy! He can sing, but this album cover is just weird. Its the 80s on energy drinks and iphones!

8) Mallet Mischief by Harry Breuer and his quintet I bet you never knew how crazy the xelophone was? Well Harry is gonna tell you! I actually like this one. Harry’s playing his xelophone, with a smirk, while some women is trying to hang herself. I hope its not because of Harry’s xelophone playing.

9) By request only by Ken Ken, I bet your a lonely guy, because I don’t think you get many request’s. Poor Ken.. He looks like a nice guy. So willing to do a request for you. Come on guys request something for Ken. Dig the groovy suit by the way.

10) Velho, Menino Burro Wrong on so many levels… This one isn’t even fun…

Telling a story

 I think telling a story/being a writer has always been in my blood. My father, although he never wrote anything down, could spin a good yarn. He was always regaling anyone that would listen, with the stories of his youth. Like the time he wiped out a corn field with an Indian motorcycle, or when he swam across a lake that was ten miles long just to get to work! Did I mention he could spin a good yarn?

My mother on the other hand, did not tell embellished stories of life experience, but she could spin a yarn like my father as well. She wrote scripts, and even sold a few before she passed away. She never made any serious money with her writing, but when I would find her sitting at the kitchen table with a pen and a legal pad, scribbling away she always had a smile on her face. Just as my father would be smiling ear to ear having an audience, with his interactive storytelling. Both of them told stories for the sheer joy of it. Much as I do now.

Getting pleasure from writing is something I am grateful my parents instilled in me at a young age. As a writer you have to love what you are doing. You have to love words. You have to love putting those words into sentences, those sentences into paragraphs, those paragraphs into stories. You have to write every day, and do it with a smile on your face. If writing gives you pleasure, than you are already a success. This is one of the main points of my Kindle article "Inspiration for the struggling writer." The most important thing in life that we all strive for is to like what we do. And writing is no exception. As the old saying goes, "Find what you like doing, and do it well."

My mother and father were never famous writers, but they told a story with exuberance and great joy. They were story tellers. They were successful writers. It gave them pleasure to entertain people with their stories. And that is what all writers are striving for in the long run. If you’re a writer take a second not to worry about the money or fame. Instead think about the pure joy you give yourself and others just by telling a story. It really is a wonderful thing.  

Gun Control

I am not a card carrying member of the NRA. I do not salivate when I hear an assault rifle go off. In fact it makes me sick to my stomach. I am what most conservatives would call a liberal, a dirty word in their book. I don't like guns. I don't own a gun, and I never want one in my house. 

However... 

I do think it is a right of any upstanding citizen in their right mind to own a gun, if he or she so chooses. In the wake of all these shootings, people have been talking about guns and how they have been the cause of all of these tragedies. Stop looking at guns, and video games, and media. Start looking at mental health in this country. It is my opinion people have lost a good portion of there empathy towards their fellow man. Empathy is a learned behavior usually and its parents, and mentors responsibility to instill it into young people. 

It is not the guns fault if it gets picked up and used to kill innocent people, just as it is not the cars fault if some drunk gets into it and drives into an innocent person. Nor is it the fault of leaders who up hold the 2nd Amendment of the United States. Guns are just dead pieces of steel. They don't do anything unless picked up and used.

People in our society need to wake up to the fact that we have become a bunch of sniveling finger pointers, who will not take responsibility for our own, and our actions. I don't know when our how we lost our way, that's not the point. The point is we have to get back on track. Parents need to find some personal responsibility for their kids. You made them, now teach them. Parenting doesn't stop... ever... Kids need to be taught empathy. It is as simple as that.

I repeat I am not into guns. I do not like them. But it is not my responsibility to get rid of them. It is my responsibility as a citizen to do everything I can to make sure the mentally ill, or angry people do not get their hands on guns.

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