Don't Be Closed Minded. Read a Banned Book. #Giveaway



On this list, compiled by the ALA, of the top 100 challenged books of the decades 1990-1999 and 2000-2009, I've read:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Adventure of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Blubber
Crank
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Dead Zone
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
Fat Kid Rules the World
The Giver
Harry Potter (series)
The Hunger Games (series)
The Kite Runner
The Lovely Bones
Olive's Ocean
Speak
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
That Was Then, This Is Now
Thirteen Reasons Why
Twilight (series)
A Wrinkle In Time

I would recommend any of them, but especially the titles I've linked. The thing with me and banned books is that I don't get it. The banning thing. Why would you ever feel the right to keep a book out of the hands of other readers? Why would you feel you have the authority to say what some can and cannot read? Do you have the right to voice your opinion? Absolutely! If you think the book is inappropriate somehow, tell people why. But to pull it from shelves or distribution? Absolutely not. Are there books I've read that I don't recommend? Yes. Am I feeding the banned book bandwagon by not linking all the above titles? No. I simply didn't enjoy the books enough to recommend them. You might like them, so if their blurb sparks your interest - go for it.

The only readers I ever felt I had authority over were my underaged children. I tried to steer them into reading books I thought they were emotionally mature enough for - and that decision was different with each child. However, once they got past about 16 or 17, all bets were off and they could read whatever they wanted with or without my consent. Hopefully, knowing that I was ALWAYS available to talk to if a subject rocked their world in some good or bad way. Books are the SAFEST place for people to be exposed to controversial subjects. I would much rather learn about subjects such as; prejudice, incest, and brainwashing by reading about them. Reading helps you avoid repeating ugly behavior or falling victim to it. It also opens your mind to how to be a more compassionate, giving human being.

Harry Potter did not teach me how to practice witchcraft, but it did demonstrate how to overcome insurmountable odds. I didn't start killing contemporaries after reading The Hunger Games, but I did see how to hold onto my compassion in harrowing circumstances.

Don't be closed minded. Read.

To celebrate banned book week, I'm giving away an electronic copy of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - one of 2016's top 10 most challenged titles and a book I absolutely LOVED! To enter simply leave a title of a banned book you've read & would recommend in the comments. I'll choose one random winner on October 1st. Open Internationally. Must have an email address so I can contact you and award your prize.

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Comments

  1. Kim PickettSeptember 15, 2017 at 7:43 AM

    I would recommend Farenheit 451!
    Kim P.
    bookbutterfly9(at)(gmail)(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. bn100September 15, 2017 at 11:15 AM

    To Kill A Mockingbird

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. TammySeptember 15, 2017 at 12:14 PM

    New Follower, nice to meet you!
    I'm also a part of the Banned Book Giveaway hop because I agree with everything you said. I have never read Eleanor & Park and would love the opportunity to do so. Sherman Alexis book is a favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Richard BrandtSeptember 15, 2017 at 11:34 PM

    Russell Miller's Bare-Faced Messiah, a biography of L. Ron Hubbard that was pulled from shelves following a lawsuit. Must-read!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Michelle HooperSeptember 16, 2017 at 9:05 AM

    Harry potter

    ReplyDelete
  6. Robin BlankenshipSeptember 17, 2017 at 7:18 PM

    The Popularity Papers is so awesome

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amanda FSeptember 18, 2017 at 12:54 AM

    Out of your list I would recommend The Curious Case of The Dog in the Night-Time

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara WatsonSeptember 18, 2017 at 12:40 PM

    As a high school lit teacher, I talk with my students often about banned books because much of what we read is/was on a list at some point. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD -- what if that book had been banned from schools??? Can't even imagin.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beverly Stowe McClureSeptember 18, 2017 at 5:17 PM

    You are right, right, right in everything you said. To Kill a Mockingbird, I loved. Also, 13 reasons why. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. I did not know it was Banned Book Week. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  10. DinkySeptember 19, 2017 at 5:44 AM

    I have read Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Twilight series and The Great Gatsby. All of these books I really enjoyed, especially HP, which is my all time favourite.
    I'm looking forward to read banned Crank and Dead Zone.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Edye NicoleSeptember 20, 2017 at 9:19 AM

    I read "Me Before You" and loved it!

    mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  12. DiannaSeptember 20, 2017 at 4:13 PM

    I really liked The Scarlet Letter, and would recommend it.

    dedezoomsalot at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. EllaSeptember 21, 2017 at 5:57 AM

    The Great Gatsby and Harry Potter - no matter the age.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CindyWindy2003September 21, 2017 at 8:22 AM

    My favorite classic book on the banned list is To Kill a Mockingbird, more modern I love all the Happy Potter series. carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Betty CSeptember 21, 2017 at 6:46 PM

    I can't think of a book on the list that I wouldn't recommend. Fortunately, my parents encouraged me to read everything and I am none the worse for it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. slb3334September 23, 2017 at 1:45 PM

    The harry potter series.

    ReplyDelete
  17. ssjmommySeptember 24, 2017 at 1:49 PM

    I would recommend Gone With the Wind.

    ReplyDelete
  18. susansmoaksSeptember 27, 2017 at 10:33 AM

    i have read the harry potter series.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Julie WaldronSeptember 27, 2017 at 2:01 PM

    I'd recommend To Kill A Mockingbird.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lauren USeptember 28, 2017 at 7:37 PM

    I would recommend The Hunger Games (series)

    lauren.uda (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Joanna GraceSeptember 29, 2017 at 11:10 AM

    Definitely the Harry Potter series

    ReplyDelete
  22. Buddy GarrettSeptember 30, 2017 at 1:35 PM

    I would recommend In Cold Blood.

    ReplyDelete
  23. caseykelpSeptember 30, 2017 at 6:58 PM

    Harry Potter, of mice and men, any of the Judy blume or Stephen king books. I could go on............and on

    ReplyDelete
  24. SandSeptember 30, 2017 at 8:10 PM

    So many, To Kill A Mockingbird is one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Karen DSeptember 30, 2017 at 8:12 PM

    There are so many on that list! I would recommend Slaughterhouse-Five.

    ReplyDelete

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