The American Library Association’s annual Banned Books Week begins this Saturday, September 27th, and runs through October 4th. Banned Books Week is all about celebrating the freedom to read, honoring the books and authors that have survived challenges and bans, and appreciating the beauty of the first amendment.
I’ve read and enjoyed many of the books on the various lists of challenged and banned books, and I think it’s important that we take time to appreciate the authors who are not afraid to write about difficult subjects or express themselves and their ideas in the face of criticism.
In my year-and-a-half of bookselling life, I’ve had numerous customers ask me why a particular book is kept in the store or, more frequently, tell me why a book is offensive and should be removed. I’ve overheard parents forbid their children to read a variety of books, and I’ve had them inform me about why they choose not read certain books and don’t think anyone else should want or be able to read them, either.
I always wish I could just say, “If you don’t like it, don’t read it, don’t look at it, don’t watch it, don’t listen to it. But don’t tell me I shouldn’t have the right to.”
The Book Lady’s Blog will celebrate Banned Books Week with re-reads and reviews of favorite banned books and/or authors. Join the celebration by writing about banned books authors you love, your thoughts on Banned Books Week, or whatever, and leave a comment here with a link to your specific post.
So go read a banned book, and tell your friends. Or throw on that kilt, run through a field, and yell “Frreeeeeeedoooooooom” William Wallace-style. I don’t care how you do it—just celebrate your freedom to read.
Click here to visit LibraryThing’s Banned Books Library and here to check out FREADOM themed products and get your own bumper sticker or button.
Filed under: banned books week | Tagged: banned authors, banned books, banned books week, Book Reviews, books, challenged books, controversial books, freadom, reading
*takes a deep breath*
Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom!!
Jiggles…Wiggles…
I think this is a great idea and I definitely intend to post a bit about banned books. My first post is here.
Oh yes! In addition to a few reviews I’ll be giving away a nice copy of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to celebrate banned books.
I know you already saw my post, but I thought I’d come and leave my link anyway. I blogged about Banned Books Week here.
Right on! I did a little announcement post about BBW yesterday. The link is here.
Some of my fave reads were banned books at one time. Hey.. I am giving you an award. Check out the post here:
http://bookchatterandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2008/09/and-band-plays-on.html
Here are my thoughts about Banned Books Week. I’m glad we can promote this week long celebration more through our blogs.
Thanks for reminding me I had completely forgotten! My post is here I also will be linking to anyone who leaves a comment on my post!
Come to think of it, if you’re link is already posted here, I’ll just link to it now!
Starting tomorrow I’m going to highlight a different banned/challeneged/censored book I own and have read every day during banned books week. Each post will go up at 2pm Central.
Banned Books Week is “shameless propaganda … now institutionalized with a week of its own.”
“Those who are spreading hysteria about book banning and censorship know that they are in a war, but too many of those who thoughtlessly repeat their rhetoric do not.”
See who said this (not me) and more here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/sowell
Even a former ALA Councilor said:
“It also highlights the thing we know about Banned Books Week that we don’t talk about much–the bulk of these books are challenged by parents for being age-inappropriate for children. While I think this is still a formidable thing for librarians to deal with, it’s totally different from people trying to block a book from being sold at all.”
Following you over from LT – a great blog you have! I shall take some time to browse!
[...] Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog [...]
Hello, I just read your Sunday Salon entry, I don’t work or anything and I can’t keep up with what you do. But I’ve finally found a central location for posts on the subject of banned books. It’s not much but I posted a banned books list I came across and my reaction is here:
http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/only-your-librarian-knows-for-sure.html
I encourage people to take the list if it interests them and a link back to me would be nice, but is certainly not required. Thank you.
My review of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
that’s a great idea !
nice reading !