Banned Books Week Blog Hop 9/21 - 9/27

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community in support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. There is tremendous effort across the country to try and remove or restrict access to certain books.  Banned Books Week brings national attention to this issue - unwarranted censorship.

Every year, a list of books that have been challenged or banned is released.  And while they continue to ban books, thanks to those individuals and groups who have continued to bring attention to this issue - including all of us readers, authors, librarians, teachers, etc. -, more and more of them continue to be available for readers across the country.  Which is awesome! :)

So this week, I want to challenge all of you!  I want to challenge all of you to do something to bring attention to the importance of reading whatever you want.  Take your books out in public and be PROUD of whatever you choose to read.  Tell someone about the book you're reading.  Buy someone a book... just because.  Check out a banned book from your public library.  Do something (that you're comfortable with... even if it's small) to celebrate your freedom to read whatever you please.

Popular Books that are/have been Banned:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book has been banned in the past for offensive language and racism.  Hard to believe, considering it's been a novel used in so many high schools as a teaching tool.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Reasons?  Religious viewpoints and unsuited for it's age group.  I'd be willing to bet that 99% of the people who would read this book have seen waaaay worse things on television.

Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E.L. James

This series really doesn't need any explanation.  I'm pretty sure if you're alive you know why this one has been banned.  Nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit... need I go on?  But regardless of WHY it's banned, if women (and men) around the world want to walk around reading this book, they should be given that freedom.

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Reason: Satanism/Occult
Umm... wow.  This actually blows my mind.  It's magic.  It isn't propaganda.  But, like with a lot of things, there's always going to be 2 sides to every opinion.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that racism is the root of this book's banning.  It is, however, another staple in so many young peoples' lives.  I read it when I was very young.  And I just think it's incredulous that they have banned a classic given to readers from an absolutely brilliant author.






If you'd like more information on Banned Books Week or to read more about our celebration, please visit the Banned Books Week Website or the American Library Association Website.

For Banned Books Week, I'd like to share my love of books with one lucky reader!  Just enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win the banned book of your choice (up to $10).  Also, don't forget to visit the rest of the blogs on the hop by following the linky list below for your chance to win even more great prizes. 

Thank you for helping us celebrate our freedom to read! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway