Banning books is a terrible practice.
I couldn't be more against it, because I believe in freedom. I believe books are the gateway to understanding, and I don't think one free person has the right to tell another free person what to read.
I'm against it because I want to read what I want to read. In the past, people wanted to read the Bible and let others read it, too. They were burned at the stake, tortured, and imprisoned trying to accomplish this goal. I'm so thankful for their hard work and sacrifice now, though, because I can read the Bible. Books of all kinds are gateways into another world. They destroy barriers and help us see each other as just a little more human.
I might not personally choose to read all of the books on the banned books list, but the absolute glory in that is that it's my choice.
The freedom to read what you want is a wonderful gift. Let's read what we want this week and live dangerously by reading a book someone wanted to ban...
Lots of other bloggers are doing much better jobs of celebrating this week...reading a book a day or spotlighting books on the list. Be sure to check some of them out. (If you are doing something, leave me a comment and I'll link to you)
Sandra at Fresh Ink Books has a survey.
Devourer of Books is spotlighting some books off the list with reviews.
Just a Reading Fool is reading and reviewing a book a day.
Bluestocking is reviewing three books off the list.
A Reader's Respite is also highlighting books off the list, including this one.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Banned Books Week Sept. 28-Oct. 3
Posted by Amy at 10:23 AM
Labels: Books, in the news
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I've posted a Most Banned Books survey that several people have found interesting to do.
It's titled "Only Your Librarian Knows for Sure". It is here:
http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/only-your-librarian-knows-for-sure.html
I'm posting a spotlight of a different banned book every day this week and putting up some other random posts. You can find ALL of my Banned Books Week posts here.
I posted my opinion.
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/2008/09/banned-books-week.html
Similar to Jen @ Devourer of Books, I'm reading and reviewing a book a day for Banned Books Week. Like Jen, you can find ALL ;) of my Banned Book Weeks post in one place: here.
Today's book (still reading) The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.
I'm reviewing three books on the Banned Book List.
http://web.me.com/bluestocking_bb/The_Bluestocking_Guide/Book_Reviews/Book_Reviews.html
agreed, I don't necessarily think all books are worth the effort of printing or have any redeeming value, but let the market decide what to read and buy, not censors.
I'm posting a highlight of a different challenged/banned book each day this week. I'm not reviewing the book, but instead focusing on the controversy around the book.
You'll find today's book(s) here.
I totally agree with you in that the glory is the fact that we are able to choose. I wouldn't necessarily choose to read the same things as you but isn't it great that we live in a society where we can choose to read different things and choose to come together and talk about the differences in our opinions. How much more broadening is that exchange of opinions than having that choice restricted to one that is approved by one sole, arbitrary perspective. It is a wonderful gift!
I've posted a list of the most commonly challenged books at Bookwormom
Thanks for pulling these Banned Books features together! I'm not doing any special posts this week; I looked into why some specific children's books were challenged and posted about it on the weekly Tuesday Thingers question. *Rebecca's Reads* has a great post about book banning, and lists 4 scenarios, asking if it's banning/censorship. As a parent, I can control what my younger children are exposed to (but would never attempt to "ban" a book from the public library!); my older kids are free to read what interests them ... sometimes I can take the themes of these books as a starting point for conversation.
Welcome back!
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