― Joseph Brodsky
It is Banned Books Week and I am definitely one of the many celebrating my freedom to read. I am also thanking the many that fight against the censorship for us, the readers, so that we may continue to enjoy books as they were written. Banned Books Week started in 1982 when schools, libraries, and bookstores were challenging books left and right. Books are censored for a number of reasons, from magic, to sexual content, language, and any unpopular or unorthodox ideas. If you'd like to learn more, visit Banned Books Week and the American Library Association website. In case you were wondering, one of the most popular Young Adult books and new film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, is one of those many books that has been challenged.
Lainey, of GingerReadsLainey, hosts a Top 5 Wednesday every week and this week's topic is Top 5 Banned Books I've read. I read a lot of banned books in high school thanks to some wonderful teachers, and my obsession with reading, so here is my Top 5 banned/challenged books list. (I included challenges, because in some cases that book may be banned in a school even though it is available to the general public.)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher (I just suggested this book to my 15 year old brother)
Crank - Ellen Hopkins
A Wrinkle In Time - Madeleine L'Engle (My number one favorite book in junior high)
If you are interested in supporting Banned Books Week or reading some banned books, check out Huffington Post's list of what you can do to support Banned Books Week. My personal favorite suggestion is, "Check out a banned or challenged book from the library. Show the number-crunchers that these books belong in places where anyone can check them out by proving that someone is using them." I would love to hear your Top 5 list, please feel free to comment or share your blog post with me!
XOXO
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