This month #FriendsPick and #ReadBannedBooks
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Speak | 
Hey #WithTheBanned readers!! Discussion posts for our August book are coming. Like always, I‘ll tag everyone in the first post. There are 5 questions in total.
Also, in the next few weeks, I‘ll put up a post for suggestions for 2026 reads. Start thinking about books you‘d like to see on the schedule next year.
“You must walk alone to find your soul.” Where was this book when was younger. Picked it up earlier this evening and almost finished with it. Easy but meaningful read.
bailedMy trauma was different, as were some details, but this book is my junior year of high school. I made it to this scene, which triggered a very vivid memory of me and my mom. Then, I found myself crying intermittently until I went to bed.
The writing is so authentic. I wish I could finish, but I can't revisit that time in my life right now. Bailed at 35%.
All that said, had I read this book back then, it would have helped me unlock so much.
Hey #WithTheBanned readers!
I apologize, but time got away from me and there will be no discussion for July.
Our August book is Speak. Hopefully I‘ll be back on track with discussion posts this month.
#haikuaday
#haikuhive
Another book I loved and adored teaching to my freshmen. If you've never read this, you must. Have a tissue box nearby, though. 💚🌳💚
Kristy_K, DebinHawaii, Mimi28, TheBookHippie, JenlovesJT47, Susanita, Reggie, vivastory, Itchyfeetreader, jdiehr, CBee, dabbe, kelli7990, Jari-chan, ImperfectCJ, lil1inblue, julieclair, AnnCrystal, bellabella, BooksandCoffee4Me
pickSuch a great book…a must-read IMO. This is a reread for me, so this time I opted for the audiobook.
#bookspinbingo
#pop25 - book that an AI chatbot recommended based on my favorite book
#jumpstart2025
#LitsyAtoZ #LetterS
such a sad story but a must read for teens for sure and loved this qoute about how “censorship is the child of fear and father of ignorance”…#audiophile #readinggoal #readinglife #ireadbannedbooks
Library Haul. 3 of these were on hold and became available and 3 I grabbed while there. That's usually how it goes. I tell my husband that I'm going to pick up a book and come back with more.
#LibraryHaul
pickThis was a quick read. It had some tough issues in it that needed to be talked about. I enjoyed reading this book. I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
pickThis book wrecked me.
#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView
1. My district started on July 31st for the teachers 😳 and August 3rd for the students.
2. School settings I enjoyed: SPEAK, all the HARRY POTTERS, THE SECRET HISTORY, A SEPARATE PEACE ... I could go on, but I won't bore you. 😃
Thanks for the tags @TheSpineView @Monica5 @Cbee @The_Penniless_Author
C'mon and play @TheLudicReader @IndoorDame @Catiewithac @AmyG @Cuilin
🩵🖤💙
#Two4Tuesday @TheThe @TheSpineView
1. Speak was my favorite read in May
2. I didn‘t DNF any but it looks like St. Patrick‘s Day on St. Barts will carryover into June.
pickI was fortunate enough to have met Laurie many years ago. Speaking with her was refreshing and engaging. She gifted my daughter several of her books signed & personalized. She was amazing.
Somehow, I never picked this one up. I‘m so glad I remedied that. This book is excellent. I can‘t wait to get home & discuss it with my daughter. (She reread it after finding out I hadn‘t read it)
Amazingly, one of the reasons this book has been banned is “bias against male students.” 😳 #FavoriteBannedBook #MarchMagic
#DivineDecember Day 25: #Santa
Merry Christmas, fellow Litsy-bibliophiles!
This reading community is awesome! 📚📚📚
Here are my top picks from my #AuldLangSpine list! These are the ones I'm gonna put on my bookspin list to read in January but I'll probably try to get to more throughout the year. I've owned the tagged for years but have never read it so I'm excited to finally cross it off my TBR! I think I will listen to audiobooks for Poet X and Scythe and the other two are available digitally through my library. They look so fun! @shortsarahrose @monalyisha
October 7 - The Daily Photo Challenge - Prompt: victim
THIS BOOK!!! 😭🙌 by one of my favorite contemporary authors and blessed to know her. She‘s such an amazing human being. ❤️
#scarathlondailyprompts #speak #scarathlon22 #teammonstermash #scarathlon #rape #dailyphotochallenge #lauriehalseanderson
pickI read Shout a few years ago, but had never actually read this. It‘s quite well done. I think my favorite part was the poem in the introduction made up of reader comments/reactions on the book over the years.
I went with a modern YA classic for #LetterS . I love this book and it‘s all the more special to me because Laurie Halse Anderson was a visiting author at my school library in 2000. She was great with the kids. And now I consider us besties! 😉
#AlphabetGame
Book 8/25 complete! This book was a quick read and very moving. Trigger warning is needed for this book, but also very empowering. 🌳
pickRead this one again, last time I read it was middle school. This book is so powerful! I just love it and can't recommend it enough. This book explores and talks about so many things that need to be talked about, especially with teenagers. 5/5
pick#2022Book46
I‘ve lost count of how many times I‘ve read this book. It got me in trouble and helped me leave a horrible teaching job a few years ago. But I was finally able to teach it in my current job and it sparked the best discussions that class has had all year. I will never be able to thank Laurie Halse Anderson enough for giving the world the gift of this book.
Anyone who is 14 or 15 years old out here? Everyone seems advanced and I'm really struggling! 😢
Recommend me a book that's appropriate for my age, please!
Or am I not supposed to be here?🤔
Speak, Stamped, King and the Dragonflies, and Catcher in the Rye will all be free to anyone until the end of May!! For more info https://www.engadget.com/the-new-york-public-library-offers-banned-books-on-its-...
🌿 Speak
🪴 A one-word title can be an easier title to remember but not necessarily better content
#two4tuesday @TheSpineView
pickReally good. Melinda‘s voice is distinctive yet recognizable. Well paced. As much as I could guess what had happened to Melinda that made her an outcast/silent, I still wanted to keep reading to see what would happen. I wish I could time travel back to seventh grade and give this to preteen me, who, although not experiencing the exact same things, was definitely feeling outcast and depressed. TW in the comments under the spoiler tag.
“David stares at Mr. Neck, looks at the flag for a minute, then picks up his books and walks out of the room. He says a million things without saying a word. I make a note to study David Petrakis. I have never heard a more eloquent silence.”
picksuch an amazing book. i must have read it 20 times by now but it‘s so important and something that everyone should read. i read it now for a lit circle i have to prepare because i think it should be taught in schools
My #bannedbooks order just came in! Do you love any of these?
Banned Books Week Day 5!
Speak is one of the top ten most banned books of 2020. This is because of its discussion of rape and also because 'it casts male students in a negative light.' *sighs*
Laurie Halse Anderson tours the country giving talks to schools about the book and about sexual assault. She has helped hundreds of young people since this book was published. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting her a few years ago! #bannedbooksweek
pickPowerful, heartbreaking, familiar. I‘ve meant to read this book for years but only now felt brave enough. It is a sad but important story that every human should read. Oof. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
📚BANNED BOOKS WEEK📚
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
The tough, tender, and darkly funny story of a teenage outcast.
#bannedbooksweek #bannedbooksweek2021
“Mr. Freeman thinks I need to find my feelings. How can I not find them? They are chewing me alive like an infestation of thoughts, shame, and mistakes. I squeeze my eyes shut. Jeans that fit, that‘s a good start.”
pickNo means no means no means no. Women are not furniture. Consent is perhaps the most important thing we can teach our children. I read this in one day.
I think it should be on summer reading lists, not required but recommended. So young people can see that suicide is not the only answer to something so horrific. I know she did a little self harm, but so many young victims choose death because their shame feels unsurpassable.Book 46 in 2021
pickI really loved the writing style and how the author revealed the mystery of what had happened to the main character. I connected so much with the MC, especially when she was dealing with Heather. God, I think we all have these type of 'friends' at one point in our lives. I absolutely loved her interactions with David. And the ending was just chef kiss, gave me goosebumps. Loved this book a lot.
