This blogpost is dedicated to bringing attention to the idea that certain books should be banned because of questionable content or language. Many books are pulled from public schools and public libraries because a few people want to impose their beliefs upon the majority of the population. I personally think that is dangerous.
I was brought up with the idea that if you CAN read it, then you MAY read it. So I read anything and everything that piqued my interest. I raised my own daughter the same way. Now here's where I may differ from others in this campaign: I don't believe the same ideas extend to other forms of entertainment such as video games and movies. Those are passive pasttimes. They don't require any brain power. That's a huge difference if you ask me.
Books make you think, and if you aren't able to read and understand the words in the book, then you probably aren't going to attempt the material. Visual media, on the other hand, doesn't require one to have a working vocabulary. Quite the contrary, images on a screen are "fed" into your brain at warp speed whether you are "mature" enough for them, or not. I think this is dangerous, too. But that's another topic.
For this post, I'll just conclude by saying that some of my favorite reads were (or still are) on the banned books list (according to the American Library Association's website). These books are:
The Grapes of Wrath
To Kill a Mockingbird
Call of the Wild
The Color Purple
Animal Farm
1984
More recent additions are the kids books, Captain Underpants, and the YA series, The Hunger Games.
I could go on an on, the list is very lengthy, but I think you get my point. Yes, there is controversy in all of these books, that's what makes them "good reads."
If you would like to win an electronic copy of any banned book, just mention that book in a comment on this blog post (along with your email address), and at the end of the week, I will let Random.org select the winner. I will then email you the electronic version of that book.
Also sponsored by I Am A Reader: http://www.iamareader.com/
Afterthought: To learn more about banned books, check out this website BANNED BOOK WEEK
Here are the other participating blogs:
Here are the other participating blogs:
52 comments:
To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, Animal Farm, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Eleanor and Park....there are so many banned books I'd like to read! I agree with you that sometimes controversy make books "good reads". The authors are also so brave to include such controversy in their books, because there are always haters out there...but the courage may make a great difference!
I think I'd choose Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell for Kindle.
Thank you so much for the giveaway! Fingers crossed. :-)
Lindsey8907 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I would love to read a classic - 1984, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Catcher In The Rye, or Catch22.
Leah
leah(@)whiteskyproject.com
I would love to read Eleanor and Park. kumquat8 at hotmail dot com
Thanks to all of you for stopping by. You are all entered in the contest. Good luck!
I would like to win the grapes of wrath. Thank you email isisthe12th@gmail.com
I would pick Fifty Shades of Grey
coupongator@hotmail.com
the hunger games
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thanks, Lindsey. You are entered in the giveaway!
Thank you, Leah! You are entered in the giveaway.
The Hunger Games I would like to read!!
Judy
magnolias_1(at)msn(dot)com
Thank you, Linda. You are entered in the giveaway!
Thanks, Allie. I'm sure it's on the list. LOL.
It's a good series, Judy. You are entered.
Great! You're entered.
Maybe you will win. I love Steinbeck!
Great! Thanks for entering.
Thanks for stopping by, Melody. I will need your email address if you win.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Thanks for the giveaway!
aimeelavalle(@)gmail(.) com
You're welcome. Thanks for entering!
Women in Love, by D.H. Lawrence
koukkunokka@anvianet.fi
I would love to read What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
courtlawrence11 at gmail dot com
I'd like to read RAINBOW BOYS by Alex Sanchez.
Trix, vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com
You bet, Courtney. Thanks for entering.
That's a possibility. Good luck in the drawing!
Duly noted. Thanks for entering.
I would love to read 13 reasons why. Always wanted to.
It will be yours if Random draws your name. Good luck!
I would love to read The Handmaid's Tale! Thank you for the giveaway!
irielilla(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for entering!
i would like across the universe. thanks for a great prize (books are great all the time) and for such a good reason for a hop. yay! for banned books!! michelleakoerner @ yahoo.com
Good luck Mare and Michelle!
Looking for Alaska
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler, thanks for the chance!
I'd love to win Looking for Alaska! Thanks! saltsnmore at yahoo dot com
You're both entered. Thanks for stopping by. Now I'm going to have to read Looking for Alaska, too!
Good luck!
I would like to win a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Forgot the email bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think it's about time I read Fifty Shades of Grey.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
As a librarian, I am a big supporter of the freedom to read and feel an obligation to read all banned and challenged books. For my kindle, I'd like Farenheit 451, Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. (capefearlibn at gmail dot com)
I would like to win either I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga or a book by Ellen Hopkins(maybe Identical or Glass).
Thanks :)
monagargATyahooDOTcom
I'd choose Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. The 75th anniversary is next week.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Good luck!
Got it! Thanks.
Sounds good to me!
Hard to believe -- 75 years? Wow!
There are several banned books I would love to read, such as Looking for Alaska, The Perks of being a Wallflower, or The Thirteen Reasons Why. email address is - jen.frederick@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway.
Me, too, Jen. Thanks for stopping by!
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