Read a banned book. I triple-dog dare you!

Sometimes the little devil on my left shoulder speaks more loudly and convincingly than the little angel on my right shoulder. You've seen that cartoon, too, right? This week the tiny temptor is telling me to defy the powers that be, the book police, and read a banned book. Dare I obey and give in? You betcha!

In celebration of Banned Books Week, Sept. 26-Oct. 3, you should examine the list of books that have caused consternation, nay outrage, in the distant and recent past and exert your First Amendment rights.

According to the American Library Association. "Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States....The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections."

READ, READ, READ and see what the fuss was/is all about.

Check out this website for information about specific titles.

Leave your comment about the book you read and why you agree or disagree with its being considered controversial enough to be on the list.

I think I'll start by re-reading The Color Purple by Alice Walker.






Thanks!