The Land of the Censored and Home of the Unread
Everyone should read banned books
Hey book•ish cousins
Welcome to this new little ‘stack where we will talk all things books all the time. Hopefully, if nothing else, you’ll gather a few titles to add to your TBR that’s already way too long. I won’t set a goal for becoming your go-to source for all things literary, that some folks apparently can’t handle (see banned books), but if that happens along the way somehow, I won’t complain.
Happy Banned Books Week!
Banned Books Week is an annual event that happens during the last week of September. It’s an effort to celebrate our freedom to read bad highlight the harms of censorship.
Book bans are not just a plot twist in a dystopian novel—they’re happening in real life. Did you know that the American Library Association reported a record breaking number of 4,240 challenges to books in 2023 alone? 46% of those challenges specifically targeted book titles at public libraries. That’s like a rollercoaster for literature—up, down, and all around, except you’re not having fun; you’re just confused about why “The Cat in the Hat” is suddenly controversial.
I mean, is it the hat? Are we anti-hat now? Honestly, it’s probably the ‘dirty hoe’ joke from the movie that has people outraged and outside of libraries with their pitchforks.
Book bans over the years
2023 saw an increase of 65% compared to the previous year. So, why the sudden uptick in book bans? Well, it seems like everyone suddenly became very passionate about controlling the narrative—often in ways that would make even the most rigid librarian cringe. It’s as if they think that if you can’t read about it, it won’t exist.
OIF documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship, as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources in 2023. Four key trends emerged from the data gathered from 2023 censorship reports:
Pressure groups in 2023 focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers.Groups and individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often dozens or hundreds at a time, drove this surge.
Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.
There were attempts to censor more than 100 titles in each of these 17 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.1
By censoring literature, we’re essentially saying, “Hey, let’s pretend certain issues don’t exist!” Spoiler alert: they do.
It’s no surprise that there’s a hefty representation of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC book titles. Ignoring tough topics like racism, mental health, or sexuality doesn’t make them go away; it just means the next generation might not be prepared to handle the real world. Avoiding these conversations is about as effective as trying to diet while living next to an all-you-can-eat buffet that has a $5 lunch special. Come on.
We’re already living in a world that is freakishly similar to Handmaid’s Tale now we are on the verge of Fahrenheit 451 in a country that values firearms and abortion bans over literature and free thought.
Banning books is basic bitch behavior. You liked that alliteration didn’t you. But let’s be real: who wants to live in a world where the only literature is sanitized and safe? It sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. Reading is supposed to challenge us, push boundaries, and sometimes even make us uncomfortable. If we shy away from that, we might as well just be reading cereal boxes.
It may be weird to say this out loud (good thing I’m typing it then), but the Top 10 Most Challenge Books of 2023 list really had me feeling like that girl. I mean, three (3) of my all time favs made the list: All Boys Aren’t Blue, The Bluest Eye, and Sold. Based on this list, I’m willing to bet that if I rank a book 4/5 stars or higher, it will be a book that someone somewhere will want to challenge and place on the list of banned books. I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in myself from that.
Nothing says got ‘eeeeem, like the effect that happens when you ban a book — it often skyrockets in popularity. Call it the “forbidden fruit” effect—because nothing says “read me” quite like being told you can’t. Just remember, if a book ends up on the banned list, it’s probably because it’s got something important to say. So, it’s like a VIP club, and who doesn’t want to be part of that?
To keep it going, here are a few more of my favs that were challenged or banned in 2023:
Though no sources claim this as a challenged book, if Texas finds out about it, I’m sure it will be challenged expeditiously, and you should read it:
“I believe that censorship is the enemy of freedom. By banning books, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from the past and to envision a braver future. Books have the power to open minds and build bridges. This is why certain forces do not want the masses to engage with books. They fear progress and growth in new, bold directions. For this reason, Banned Books Week is vitally important. It is a celebration of our right to access varied voices and to engage with ideas that challenge and champion us. I am honored to be selected as honorary chair of Banned Book Week for this election year, and I stand with my fellow readers, fellow writers and fellow advocates around the world who refuse to let voices be silenced.” - Ava DuVernay
Yeah, what she said.
Interested in reading books about banned books? Check out these titles:
Fahrenheit 451 (also available as a graphic novel)
As we continue to navigate this fascinating landscape of literature, remember: the written word is powerful. Whether it’s a classic or a contemporary, every book has its story to tell. So, keep reading, keep questioning, and for the love of all that is literary, keep those pages turning.
Until next time, stay bold, stay curious, and remember: a book isn’t truly banned if it’s in your hands!
Happy reading (and possibly rebelling)
Stay Lit. 📚
In case you ever wondered about the history of book banning and wanted a quick rundown, here’s a video that I appreciated with Princess Weekes: