We hope you enjoyed the August 2023 issue of This Awful Awesome Life.
Many thanks to Lilly Kauffman, Orlando Bartro, and Linda Cahill for their contributions to each issue.
I’m so grateful to all the wonderful writers who have contributed articles to this publication since our first issue in 2017.
Everything in Between, is now available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book on amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and independent bookstores in the United States and parts of Europe. Don’t ask me which ones because the distribution deal happened recently. I love the cover! Thank you, Francis Cleetus for bringing my vision to life in such a spectacular way! Find out more about Everything in Between in this issue. Here is the link to purchase my book, https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Between-FrancesJoyce/dp/1960399861/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZS2347EON70H&keywords=Everything+in+Between+by+Frances+Joyce&qid=1682964829&sprefix=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1
I spoke with Toby Gribben on The Toby Gribben Show for Shout Radio about Everything in Between and what’s next for me. Honestly, he was wonderful. Here is the link, so you can listen to the podcast: https://shows.acast.com/tobyonathursday/episodes/frances-joyce
The theme for our September issue is “Banned Books.” When Jay Speyerer and I started This Awful Awesome Life, we talked about issues we were passionate about, and book banning immediately came up.
We decided every September issue should feature banned books to let our readers know which books are being censored and why. It’s a benchmark of the social and political climate in the United States and around the world.
An increasing number of books written for children and young adults featuring themes about race or LGBTQIA+ individuals are being challenged or banned. Authors of color and LGBTQIA+ authors are more likely to have their works challenged and/or banned.
September is also our official back to school month although many school districts are now starting before Labor Day. In celebration, we have a quiz about the history of education. “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Malcolm X.
This month, Orlando Bartro’s article about censorship reminds us that sometimes the censor faces as much peril as the censored in a climate where free speech is not permitted.
Ebooks and audiobooks are popular alternatives to physical books, but Lilly Kauffman reminds us of the many advantages of holding a book in your hands.
I reviewed Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. This YA novel is a story about a girl whose best friend goes missing and no one seems to care. Jackson delves into the peer pressures of middle school and the affects of poverty and gentrification in large cities in the United States. Jackson’s work has been challenged or banned because of her depictions of peer pressure, references to teen sex, and abuse.
We are featuring quotes about censorship for “What’s in a Word?” I selected quotes that resonate with me personally. I hope you will connect with them, too.
“Dare to Believe,” is proud to feature two inspiring individuals from different periods in time who courageously opposed censorship.
Our September 2023 salad in “The Twelve Months of Salad” is Chicken Garden Salad with Ranch dressing. I like this recipe because it ticks all the boxes. It’s colorful, delicious, and easily adapted to fit most diets.
Each month, Linda Cahill shares delicious recipes courtesy of The Pampered Chef. Her September recipe suggestions are ideal for the return of football and hockey, or any time you gather with family and friends.
This month we’re streaming movies, documentaries, and television programs about censorship. Many of the films I selected are set in the era of McCarthyism and the Cold War. It was a bleak time in our history that should never be repeated.
We have some great choices in our reading recommendations for kids and adults. Also, check out our Author page, September in Pictures, and our preview of the September issue.
The internationally best-selling author, Luke Murphy has a new book coming out soon. We’ll hopefully be reviewing it and chatting with Luke next month, so keep reading each issue.
The anniversary of the 9/11 terorrist attacks is coming up. Please take a moment to reflect upon the lives lost and the bravery of our first responders and volunteers.
I hope you are carefully vetting the growing list of people who have formally announced their intent to run for office in the 2024 elections. Senatorial and presidential hopefuls are already campaigning for the 2024 elections which means you need to pay close attention to the vetting process. Please keep showing up and voting. We will never tell you who to vote for, but we will keep telling you to vote and do your homework! Vet all candidates and insist that all political parties do the same. Vote for the candidates who are the most qualified and who will safeguard our democracy.
Samantha Sayers has been missing since she disappeared on August 1, 2018, after a day of solo hiking at Vesper Peak near Seattle, Washington. Sam grew up in the Erie, Pennsylvania area where her parents Ron and Lisa still live. Her family is exploring all avenues of inquiry to find and bring her home. In the face of such an enormous challenge, they have chosen hope. Please keep sending positive thoughts to Sam and her family. As promised, we will be displaying a yellow ribbon for Sam on the opening page of each issue of This Awful Awesome Life until she is home.
If you are a person of faith, please pray for her safe return to her family. Because we are an online publication, we can update this article with any news. We will also post information on our Facebook page, but only after it is verified. Thank you!
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Happy Reading,
Fran