Banned Books Week 2019 is September 22-28, which centered around reading and discovering books that have been censored from libraries, schools and sometimes the home, from children and teens.
ala.org: Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. I’ll admit that I haven’t read a lot of banned books in my lifetime of 26 years. I have read a lot of books that I didn’t know were banned in other countries, states, districts, etc. until later. Here are some banned books I have not read, whether banned or not.
The Great Gatsby – I’ve seen the Leo DiCaprio movie a couple of times, but other than that, I never read the book. I can see why the promiscuity of it can make it become banned though. To Kill a Mockingbird – I’ve heard so much about this classic, but I still have never read it. It’s an important book about racism, the police system, family and identity. It could teach kids and teens about how corrupt the American political system is towards people of color. The Color Purple – The movie with Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah is the only version of this story I remember watching years ago. Is it only banned because of the focus on slavery, or is it because most institutions don’t want to face their own internalized prejudices? Beloved by Toni Morrison – RIP TO THE LITERARY QUEEN TONI MORRISON. With that being said, I’ve never read any of Toni’s works, but I get the feeling that she would have been proud to have been banned from people reading her books. Gossip Girl series by Cecily Von Ziegesar – I’ve heard of xoxo Gossip Girl, but only the show. And I’ve never properly seen the show either; just clips and gifs. I’m actually surprised that a girly, high-school central, preppy series like this is banned. Disliked sure, but banned?? Weird.
What are some banned books you’ve never read? Comment below!
