{"id":4530,"date":"2024-07-08T13:39:06","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T12:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/?p=4530"},"modified":"2024-07-08T13:44:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T12:44:44","slug":"6-banned-books-and-why-you-should-read-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/6-banned-books-and-why-you-should-read-them\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Banned Books and Why You Should Read Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Each year, in the last week of September, the world observes Banned Books Week. Started in 1982 in response to an increase in challenges to books available for sale, in schools, and in libraries, it\u2019s an important event in the literary calendar to celebrate intellectual freedom. Writers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and readers alike, all come together to support the open sharing of ideas without fear of censorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been banned or challenged books for almost as long as there has been print media. The American Library Association (ALA) does an amazing job of recording and compiling a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/bbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> list of banned and challenged books<\/a> every year that is publicly available and well worth taking a look at. They collect the reasons why books have been banned or censored, which are included in this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below you\u2019ll find a mix of old and new banned <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/category\/books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">books<\/a>, that are definitely worth taking the time to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>The Hate U Give<\/em>, by Angie Thomas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781406387933\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"314\" height=\"475\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/The-Hate-U-Give-by-Angie-Thomas.jpg\" alt=\"The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas\" class=\"wp-image-4533 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 314px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 314\/475;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/The-Hate-U-Give-by-Angie-Thomas.jpg 314w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/The-Hate-U-Give-by-Angie-Thomas-198x300.jpg 198w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Starr Carter is torn between the worlds of her poor neighbourhood, and her life at the wealthy prep school that she attends. When she witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil at the hands of the police, her life will be turned on its head. As the only witness to the shooting, what Starr chooses to say, or not say, could have far-reaching consequences for herself, her family, and her community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it was banned<\/strong><em>: \u201c<\/em>Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it\u2019s worth reading:<\/strong><em> <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781406387933\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Hate U Give<\/a><\/em> is a powerful story inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. It highlights the injustice of racism and violence, and, despite being a work of fiction, mirrors many real-world events, tackling them in a way that is thought-provoking and asks us to question our own impact on the world around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>The Bluest Eye<\/em>, by Toni Morrisson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781784876449\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"370\" height=\"570\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageHandler.jpg\" alt=\"The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison\" class=\"wp-image-4534 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 370px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 370\/570;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageHandler.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageHandler-195x300.jpg 195w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As Toni Morrisson\u2019s first novel, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781784876449\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Bluest Eye<\/a><\/em> is a tour-de-force of literary prowess and a significant work of modern American fiction. It tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, a black girl who longs for her eyes to turn blue, so she can be as beautiful as the blonde and blue-eyed children she sees so glorified around her. Morrison uses multiple narrative voices with great effect to explore Pecola\u2019s tragic and emotionally affecting life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it was banned:<\/strong><em> \u201c<\/em>Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why you should read it: <\/strong><em>The Bluest Eye <\/em>is fundamentally about identity, love, self-hatred, and desire. It tackles the important issues of internalised racism, toxic masculinity, and cycles of violence. It\u2019s a difficult book, but powerful nonetheless. It is, at its essence, a story of human tragedy that is relatable despite its confronting subject matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, <\/em>by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781452173801\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"318\" height=\"331\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/39319247._SX318_.jpg\" alt=\"A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss\" class=\"wp-image-4535 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 318px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 318\/331;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/39319247._SX318_.jpg 318w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/39319247._SX318_-288x300.jpg 288w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 318px) 100vw, 318px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781452173801\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo<\/a><\/em> is an adorable picture book about a bunny who lives in the White House with his pet parent, Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States of America. The story follows a particular day for Marlon Bundo, a day when he meets another boy bunny who will change his life forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it was banned:<\/strong><em> \u201c<\/em>challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is \u201cdesigned to pollute the morals of its readers,\u201d and for not including a content warning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why you should read it:<\/strong><em> <\/em>Marlon Bundo\u2019s story is heartwarming, charming, and one of the sweetest, funniest picture books you will ever read. It gently tackles some big themes like same-sex marriage, accepting differences, and the importance of democracy in an accessible way for readers of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Two Boys Kissing<\/em>, by David Levithan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781405264433\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"500\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/511OprT9CPS.jpg\" alt=\"Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan\" class=\"wp-image-4536 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 326px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 326\/500;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/511OprT9CPS.jpg 326w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/511OprT9CPS-196x300.jpg 196w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on real events, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781405264433\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Two Boys Kissing<\/a><\/em> tells the story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-old boys participating in a kissing marathon to set a new Guinness World Record. With multiple narrative viewpoints, it sets the boys\u2019 World Record attempt to a backdrop of LGBT history, as we experience the joys and struggles of other gay teen boys as Harry and Craig navigate their own feelings for each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it was banned:<\/strong> \u201cchallenged because its cover has an image of two boys kissing, and it was considered to include sexually explicit LGBT content.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why you should read it:<\/strong> <em>Two Boys Kissing<\/em> is a passionate and emotive ode to LGBT history. It is full of heart and depth and will make you feel in a way that few books can ever truly manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Persepolis<\/em>, by&nbsp;Marjane&nbsp;Satrapi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"304\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/9516.jpg\" alt=\"Persepolis by Marjan Satrapi\" class=\"wp-image-4537 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 304px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 304\/450;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/9516.jpg 304w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/9516-203x300.jpg 203w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9780224064408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Persepolis<\/a><\/em> is an autobiographical graphic novel in which Marjane Satrapi narrates her experiences growing up in Tehran. Marjane\u2019s family and political background give her a unique perspective and fundamental personal entanglement with Tehran\u2019s history, and first-hand experiences of the fall of the Shah\u2019s regime, the Islamic Revolution, and the long-lasting effects of the war with Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it was banned:<\/strong> \u201cgambling, offensive language, political viewpoint. Additional reasons: \u201cpolitically, racially, and socially offensive,\u201d \u201cgraphic depictions.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why you should read it:<\/strong><em> <\/em>The importance of a story like <em>Persepolis<\/em> is undeniable. It depicts the dangers of political repression and the human cost of war in a way that is profoundly personal and deeply emotive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Saga<\/em>, by Brian K Vaughan, Illustrated by Fiona Staples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781607066019\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"254\" height=\"391\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Saga1coverByFionaStaples.jpg\" alt=\"Saga by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples\" class=\"wp-image-4538 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 254px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 254\/391;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Saga1coverByFionaStaples.jpg 254w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Saga1coverByFionaStaples-195x300.jpg 195w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>True to its title, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.bookshop.org\/a\/864\/9781607066019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Saga<\/a><\/em> is a sweeping family saga about a small family from opposite sides of an ongoing intergalactic war. Risking everything to bring a new life into their star-crossed existence, Alana and Marko, and their infant daughter Hazel are hunted across the galaxy, navigating their relationship and their parenthood as they go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it was banned:<\/strong> \u201cReasons: anti-Family, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why you should read it:<\/strong> <em>Saga <\/em>is an emotional, epic, sprawling tale with great characters and fantastic illustrations that is wonderfully paced and tells a compelling story about navigating difficult family relationships. It\u2019s bizarre, fantastical, and yet completely relatable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\"><em>Note: All purchase links in this post are affiliate links through BookShop.org, and Novlr may earn a small commission &#8211;<\/em> <em>every purchase supports independent bookstores.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each year, in the last week of September, the world observes Banned Books Week. Started in 1982 in response to an increase in challenges to books available for sale, in schools, and in libraries, it\u2019s an important event in the literary calendar to celebrate intellectual freedom. Writers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and readers alike, all come [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":7020,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1280","footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[82,46],"class_list":["post-4530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books","tag-book-recommendations","tag-reading","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>6 Banned Books and Why You Should Read Them | The Novlr Reading Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To commemorate Banned Books Week, here&#039;s a list of 6 amazing banned books, why they were banned, and why they&#039;re worth reading.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/6-banned-books-and-why-you-should-read-them\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"6 Banned Books and Why You Should Read Them | The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"To commemorate Banned Books Week, here&#039;s a list of 6 amazing banned books, why they were banned, and why they&#039;re worth reading.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/6-banned-books-and-why-you-should-read-them\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novlr\/\" \/>\n<meta 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