Image by florian.b

Banned Books Week is a great reminder of how good we have it. For all the problems America has, it is still a place where it is relatively hard to actually remove a book from public library shelves. Many attempts to do so are later overturned, either because of library policy or because of overwhelming public support. Makes me proud of both libraries and communities around the country.

Like my fellow posters, I often find that frequently challenged books make my “best of” lists. The reason is pretty easy to see- books that are banned have meat. There’s a reason they are frequently challenged: they are often controversial, sometimes hard to read, but they discuss issues that parents, teachers, and peers don’t mention. A reader can have a “conversation” of sorts with a banned book that he or she might find hard to explore with others.

Another thing I love about banned books week is that it invites such creative displays and promotions for libraries. Take this promotion by the Hatcher Graduate Library at the University of Michigan. Their “Celebrate Banned Books Week” set on Flickr has 72 images of staff enjoying their favorite banned books. The images are humorous and creative, and fun to look at.

Banned Books Week is also a reminder for me to stay aware of attempts to curtail free speech. Though I have faith in my country and my fellow citizens, I also know we have to continually revisit exactly why it is important to be free to read whatever we choose.

Happy banned books week!

I like book lists – I have several long lists of books to read, books I have read, books I should read, books I read in high school, and books I want to read to my children. I pick up the book lists that my local library puts out. I have a goal to read all the Newbery and Caldecott award winners. If it’s on a list, I want to read it. If I read a book, I want to put it on a list.

So, in honor of Banned Books Week, later this month, I’ve been indulging my love of lists by checking out the various lists of frequently challenged books on the ALA website. I particularly liked the list of the top 100 books from 1990-1999.

I counted up the ones I’d read and was surprised (and delighted) to see that I’ve read 21 of them. Some of them I’d hated, some of them I couldn’t remember why they might have been banned (James and the Giant Peach?), and few of them are among my all-time favorite books, particularly Bridge to Terabithia, The Giver, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

I read To Kill a Mockingbird my sophomore year in high school during the daily silent reading in my English class. I loved it from almost the first page. If someone had told me then that this book was considered by some people unsuitable for teenagers, I would have been appalled. I’m glad no one was telling me I couldn’t read it. For my part, I was deeply moved by the story and characters and motivated to be a better, more moral person. I didn’t think for a single moment that it was a “filthy, trashy novel” as the New York school district that tried to ban it claimed.

There are, of course, plenty of books on the list that I have no intention of reading for one reason or another (the Goosebumps series has never appealed to me, even when all my friends were loving them, because I am the world’s biggest wimp). But there are others on the list that I can’t wait to read, that I anticipate I’ll love, like The Outsiders and The Handmaid’s Tale.

So check out the lists – are there any of your favorite books on the list? Any books you want to read?

One element I love about celebrity READ posters is how the celebrities pick their favorite book to hold. The only rule is that it can’t be a book the celebrity has authored. While I haven’t actually sat down to count, The Catcher in the Rye might hold the record for Most Celebrity READ Poster Appearances. I’m guessing George Orwell’s 1984 comes in a close second.

Coincidentally, both of these books have also made quite a few appearances on challenged books lists. In fact, Catcher in the Rye appeared 13th on the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000 List. Depending on your views, this is perhaps logical, nonsensical, or ironic seeing as how both books deal with questions of standards, rules, laws and the consequences of choosing to abide and conform to them. Or not.

Both novels are also popular high school reads. While I read 1984 as a teenager, I skipped over The Catcher in the Rye. I think I was sick of hearing everyone from the aloof stoner to the class president marvel at how “life-changing” the book was. I found it strange that a book that had come to symbolize non-conformity was what everyone was reading. Still, I was curious, and this was probably what caused me to take the novel from a girl who, during locker clean out, said “Does anyone want this? I’m going to throw it out otherwise!”   –Gasp– “Not that! I’ll take the book. Just don’t throw it away!”

I have read the book since, and honestly, I’m just not a huge Salinger fan. I acknowledge his skill and gift as a writer, I understand why people love him, but he’s not my personal favorite. I do admire him and his books, though. The Catcher in the Rye had a power and allure strong enough to break though extracurricular activities, household incomes, and high school cliques. Almost everyone I knew had read it. Not many books can claim that staying power and appeal.

And that’s part of the magic of reading to me. There aren’t any rules. You can (regardless of what challenged or banned books lists say) read a book authored by anyone. Or, in the case of celebrity READ Poster rules, authored by you! You can read it slow or fast and even out of order. It doesn’t matter what grades you make, what sports you play, or where you live. As long as your read, you’re doing it right.

Banned Books Week takes place starting September 27th, and I can’t imagine students and patrons wouldn’t love to see fellow students, teachers, and/or librarians on a READ poster displaying their favorite banned or challenged book.

P.S. Can you guess the only celebrity that is holding his/her own book?

I have a hard time choosing favorites. This is partly because I have so many, and partly because I know that a favorite may change depending on mood, season, or time of day. I don’t know that it would be possible to pick a favorite book of all time- maybe I’m just too wishy-washy. I wonder: do celebrities feel the same kind of mental anguish I would when forced to choose a favorite book?

I wasn’t always unable to choose a favorite, though. There was a time in my childhood when I was obsessed with various books or series, some of which I am a little ashamed to mention now (Sweet Valley High, I’m looking at you.) Overall, it seems like children’s book options are improving. And children today, like me in the past, have no problem picking a favorite book. A short story on NPR from August 29 has children “Voting for a book.” These children argue passionately for their favorite books- whether they have read them or not. (As an aside, I think this idea – a “book election” would be a natural tie in to a school library READ poster campaign.)

What I love about the READ poster campaign is that it puts a face on the passion for books. This is important because books are a much more personal and private experience than, say, movies, TV shows and CDs, all of which can easily be experienced with other people. Books, for the most part, are experienced alone. Because of that, favorite books are sometimes less obvious than favorites of other mediums. READ posters give favorite books a time to shine. This is why I love the READ poster CD. It isn’t only celebrities that have a passion for books- just about everyone can identify at least one book that changed their life.

Incidentally, I do have a current favorite book. Let’s call it my favorite of the year. It is “Little Brother” by Cory Doctorow. Funny thing is, I didn’t read it on paper. I downloaded an electronic copy and read it on a screen. Perhaps if asked to pose for a READ poster, I should choose my laptop. (I have since bought the book, read it again, and had the book signed.) Ask me again next year and my favorite is likely to change.

Image credit: “My Favorite Book” by * Janice.