Editorial Inspirations

Banned Books Week, September 27-October 3, is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982.

The challenges have occurred in every state and in hundreds of communities. People challenge books that they say are too sexual or too violent. They object to profanity and slang, and protest against offensive portrayals of racial or religious groups–or positive portrayals of homosexuals. Their targets range from books that explore the latest problems to classic and beloved works of American literature.

While waiting at a doctor’s office, you hear your name called. As you stand up, you hear another person say, “That’s me,” and head for the nurse. You decide to follow this person throughout his day. What traits do you share? Where do you differ? What is the one thing this person has that you envy and feel you need to incorporate into your life?

Be sure to share your responses!

Today is the fifth annual National Punctuation Day! Created by newspaperman Jeff Rubin, National Punctuation Day is meant to remind people of the importance of proper punctuation for communicating clearly at school or work.

In his words, “Punctuation has been devalued by a generation of computer wizards who ask, ‘What’s the point? Nobody writes in complete sentences anymore.’ But the rules of proper punctuation haven’t changed just because of computers… Careless punctuation mistakes cost time, money, and productivity.”

I have always had a strong drive in life—a drive to accomplish many things in a short amount of time. I always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I never seem to reach that light. Some other obstacle constantly crosses my road as soon as I come close to the light.

With the constant struggle of attaining my goals, I sometimes have the urge to quit. Yes, life would be much easier, I would have more free time, and there would be less headaches. However, this temptation to give up never lasts long. I know that I could not live that way. I need the challenges, the deadlines, the stress, and the rush to accomplish everything that I want to get out of this life. There is so much I want to do, to be a part of. There is not enough time.

When I get depressed about a task I have not succeeded in, my husband always comforts me by comparing us to other people our age. We have so much more than they do—and I do not say it to brag—because we have worked very hard to get where we are.

Both my husband and I came from low-class families. Yet, we pulled ourselves out, received an education, including graduate degrees, and own several properties, while still being in our twenties.

We may not be living the most luxurious life, but we are living the American dream. We have brought ourselves up from impoverished families and have made our lives better—ones that we can be proud of. We pursue our dreams with all our hearts, but are still able to stop and jointly smell a single rose.

Free Press editor-in-chief Dominick Anfuso prevailed in an auction to acquire the memoir from Olympic megastar Michael Phelps. Built to Succeed is scheduled to be released this December.

“We’re going to have to work very hard to get it done in time, but I think it is going to be a great book,” said Free Press head Martha Levin. Free Press acquired North American, audio, and first serial rights, and the agreement also calls for a children’s book to be released next year.

The narrative thread of the book will be built around Phelps’ eight final races and will provide insights from the Olympic games as well as including anecdotes about his family, coach, and passion for the sport. Simon & Schuster is planning a 500,000-copy first printing, and Levin said Phelps is “very committed to promoting the book.”