About NNBS

Growing up, I used to have a policy about books: Each one that I picked up, I would finish. I was extremely proud of this fact. From required books in middle school and high school, to books I read for pleasure, there wasn't a book I would put down once I started.

You see, the world of books was a great expanse of undiscovered adventures, and I knew the author would never steer me wrong. 

So, it was a great shock (call me naive) when words, scenes, or expressions were used that made me uncomfortable. An author would never include something that would make me feel that way. So, I would simply keep reading. After all, books were holy. They were my guides through thick and thin.

But the more and more I read, the more and more I realized that not every book was for me. So, I made rough guidelines for myself. I wouldn't read a book that swore too much. I was around it often enough at school, so why would I surround myself in it outside of school? 

So, here are my guidelines for a good No Swears Book:

1. If it swears three times, I put the book down. On occasion, a book will swear a couple more times than this, and I don't find it offensive, but this is rare.

2. I don't read books with the "f bomb" or that take Christ's name in vain.

3. I don't read books with immoral scenes.

4. I don't read books that feel derogatory about/towards women.

5. I don't read books with excessive violence.

What books are left, then, you might say? This I find to be one of the greatest challenges, as well as one of the greatest pleasures. To read a book that I feel 100% guilt free about that is still exciting and plot driven is like eating a dessert that won't do me one bit of harm. That's not to say there aren't books out there that swear, that have scenes (perhaps historical) that don't meet my guidelines that aren't worth reading. But I believe the questions of the world can be faced by holding to my guidelines. Simple as that.

There's power in picking up a book. There's power in delving into an author's world and discovering new thoughts and ideas.

But sometimes there's just as much power in putting it down. Who wants to do that all the time, though? 

So, that's why I'm here--so you can skip the guilt and get on with the reading.

Get on with the discovering.