First off, I hope and pray that 2022 is filled with great blessings, great health, and plenty of learning.
And let's start that learning with my new book challenge which looks a little different from the reading challenges that I have created in the past. Originally I would just challenge myself with random parameters: a red book, a fancy cover, a science fiction book... Then I decided to record only books that were recommended. In my 2022 READING GOAL I am combining my desire to read recommended titles with a push to read different genres and about different topics. The elementary schools have started the Nashua Nine Challenge which encourages students to read across genres - to try new things and I am doing the same. Why do this challege? It expands the boundaries of my reading world to places I wouldn't go left to my own devices. You can see my new challenge and what I read last year on our website.
My new life goal? I NEED TO MAKE things. I have worked so hard these past few years that I have lost the maker part of myself. I plan on centering my making around things that you do with needles - mostly knitting and crocheting but maybe some sewing thrown in (not masks - I have made too many of those.) I want to improve my skills and try new things.
And then onto When Books Went to War. I have discovered that knitting and listening to audio books work together beautifully. I just listened to this book (I also have a copy in hand so I have read some too) while I have made a loom hat and one fingerless mitten (using double pointed needles!) for my wife. (I need to find another audio for the other mitten.)
When Books Went to War is about how books, information, and stories impacted World War 2. Germany was attacking libraries and free thought. Books were being burned that didn't agree with their Nazi sentiments. Books authored by Jews, those that championed socialism, pacifism, reform or sexual freedom were tossed into the flames. Helen Keller stated that, "History has taught you nothing, if you think you can kill ideas... Tyrants have tried to do that often before, and the ideas have risen up in their might and destroyed them."
As the United States entered this war they determined that their foes must be fought on two fronts - both in battle and in the mind. The USA's reaction to Germany's censorship was to place information at the tips of soldiers and sailors fingers in the form of books and magazines. This is that story.
As the World War 2 poster said, "Books are Weapons in the War of Ideas"
No comments:
Post a Comment