(The week just concluded was great for this little writing project. Thousands of people read about Ben Barnes’ “Other Secret,” which completed the story he told the New York Times about traveling the Mideast with John Connally. Barnes has always been skillful at editing his life. I was pleased to be able to help him fill in some of the blanks. The story also prompted many new subscribers, including those wonderful types who paid. I ain’t sayin’ I don’t appreciate all y’all, but man it sure is a fine thing when someone likes your writing to voluntarily pay for it. I thank you all for being here, though, and reading and offering your comments. If you haven’t, please subscribe and share. A writer likes readers, lots and lots of readers. - JM)
I think you summed it up rather nicely, Karen. Oddly, it seems there have always been people throughout our history who are trying to constrain development of children and prevent them from learning uncomfortable truths. My great worry is that our country has become decidedly skilled at the practice, which is much to our cultural detriment.
Fortunately, you were not insecure about your daughter's blooming intellect. Patterson is one of those idiots who derives his influence from keeping others uninformed.
"I have no idea how to write about books." <- Yes you do!
p.s. Impressive restraint (or a missed opportunity?) to not mention the obvious pornographic content of "Fun with Dick and Jane." It's right there in the title! 😂
I think I understand Patterson. My youngest daughter was a voracious reader. I'd have to take her to the bookstore, back when we still had one, weekly to buy what I knew were adult readers. By middle school, at the time when men with sons begin to notice their boys are outgrowing them, I noticed my daughter had a better vocabulary than me and was just plain smarter than me. It was shocking. I think I get Patterson.
Having been a voracious young reader, I can't imagine how my life would have been without it. The richness of imagery painted through the authors' words. Basking in the lives of others through the vivid descriptions and bringing the words to life in my mind'e eye. It enriched my vocabulary, knowledge, and soul. It brought the world into my small Texas surroundings. It is a refuge for many young readers seeking to fit into an overwhelming environment. It helps them relate and understand they're not alone. Limiting their options to those approved by narrow-minded and willfully ignorant politicians is criminal. The book banners are playing a political game which adversely affects the lives of our children by using them as political pawns. Isn't it bad enough that today's kids have to fear school shooters, the very real threat of global warming, social stigma exacerbated by social media...? And, these same people decry the time these kids spend playing video games and watching mindless TicToc snippets. Honestly, what better way to ensure the kids spend more time experimenting with drugs and doing stupid stunts out of sheer boredom? I guess the politicians think the kids will replace literature with church and Bible study? The Bible is filled with sex, violence, incest and revenge. When will it be banned?
I always thought that Lonesome Dove was diminished because it lacked the words "vagina," and "sex." Indeed, a simple addition of Call declaring (anytime would do,) "I want sex with that vagina," would have gotten McMurtry the Nobel Prize for fiction. In fact, math books would be enhanced with similar usage, e.g., "4,379 vaginas divided by 76 vaginas equals 57.618421052631579 vaginas." Heck, why do you think the Bible is so popular?
I think you summed it up rather nicely, Karen. Oddly, it seems there have always been people throughout our history who are trying to constrain development of children and prevent them from learning uncomfortable truths. My great worry is that our country has become decidedly skilled at the practice, which is much to our cultural detriment.
Missed opportunity. Pretty much on the nose. And funnier than my line. Thanks for reading, lady.
Fortunately, you were not insecure about your daughter's blooming intellect. Patterson is one of those idiots who derives his influence from keeping others uninformed.
"I have no idea how to write about books." <- Yes you do!
p.s. Impressive restraint (or a missed opportunity?) to not mention the obvious pornographic content of "Fun with Dick and Jane." It's right there in the title! 😂
I think I understand Patterson. My youngest daughter was a voracious reader. I'd have to take her to the bookstore, back when we still had one, weekly to buy what I knew were adult readers. By middle school, at the time when men with sons begin to notice their boys are outgrowing them, I noticed my daughter had a better vocabulary than me and was just plain smarter than me. It was shocking. I think I get Patterson.
Such a great book, show and now essay. Makes me think about gettin’ me a poke😃. Ooops, I hope Patterson doesn’t read this and reverse course 😉
Having been a voracious young reader, I can't imagine how my life would have been without it. The richness of imagery painted through the authors' words. Basking in the lives of others through the vivid descriptions and bringing the words to life in my mind'e eye. It enriched my vocabulary, knowledge, and soul. It brought the world into my small Texas surroundings. It is a refuge for many young readers seeking to fit into an overwhelming environment. It helps them relate and understand they're not alone. Limiting their options to those approved by narrow-minded and willfully ignorant politicians is criminal. The book banners are playing a political game which adversely affects the lives of our children by using them as political pawns. Isn't it bad enough that today's kids have to fear school shooters, the very real threat of global warming, social stigma exacerbated by social media...? And, these same people decry the time these kids spend playing video games and watching mindless TicToc snippets. Honestly, what better way to ensure the kids spend more time experimenting with drugs and doing stupid stunts out of sheer boredom? I guess the politicians think the kids will replace literature with church and Bible study? The Bible is filled with sex, violence, incest and revenge. When will it be banned?
I always thought that Lonesome Dove was diminished because it lacked the words "vagina," and "sex." Indeed, a simple addition of Call declaring (anytime would do,) "I want sex with that vagina," would have gotten McMurtry the Nobel Prize for fiction. In fact, math books would be enhanced with similar usage, e.g., "4,379 vaginas divided by 76 vaginas equals 57.618421052631579 vaginas." Heck, why do you think the Bible is so popular?