Banned Book Recommendation Thread

[billd91]

My mother used to be on the local public library board when I was a kid and she detested attempts to ban books. When other communities around us did so, she'd rush right out and read the book or suggest I do so. At the time, The Magician by Sol Stein was one of the targets, so I read it.

It's important to note that what gets challenged shifts around over time. There are some classics like Huck Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird that come up again and again. But there are also-banned titles different every year. But you can generally bet that most of them will involve characters who aren't cisgendered, heterosexual, white, chaste, temperate, christian, and/or extremely mild-mannered. Basically, anything with a different and maybe strongly worded take on things in the contemporary zeitgeist is probably up to be challenged at some point - no matter how morally powerful and forthright that book is.

 

[Alby87]

As fantasy lovers, I think more people here should read Bone. A comic of more than 1000 pages with a really nice story, lovable characters and charming drawing. I really recommend it!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Censorship is an inherently political topic. Talking about the book and why we think it should be read is political. But, okay.

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell first published in 1973. I read this in 4th grade, and it was the first book I can remember reader strictly for pleasure (thought I might have read a Choose Your Own Adventure book or two before this one). Billy bets Alan $50 ($333 in today's money) that he can eat a worm-a-day for 15 days straight. The story ends with Billy riding his brand new bike and that he's so accustomed to eating worms that he can't stop.

The book is often challenged/banned because allegedly encourages anti-social behavior (eating worms) and well as promoting gambling. When Billy's parents learn of the bet, they eventually relent and let him see it through to the end. It's not a great book, the only reason I have any memory of it is because of the title and the fact that it was one of the first books I chose to read, but it's amazing that something so bland an innocuous might be banned/challenged.

I read that one myself! Had no idea it had ever run afoul of someone’s school board.

 

[Lanefan]

Most of my favorite books have been banned at least once in my lifetime, especially these:
"The Lord of the Flies" (banned for use of racial profanity),
[...[

I recommend all six of these books to anyone, anywhere, of any age. Read them, talk about them, share them with others. They are so good.

We have different tastes in books, I think. I had to read Lord of the Flies in high school and I didn't like a word of it.

As for my own favourite banned book: under the OP's guidelines that the book has to have been banned where I live I have no answer, because they don't really do that sort of thing around here.

 

[Aeson]

Ever seen the meme "Canada's Shorts"?

How about America's hat? I would think Mexico would be the shorts. The US would be a camo tank top.

 

[Ryujin]

How about America's hat? I would think Mexico would be the shorts. The US would be a camo tank top.

Nope, America is the shorts and Mexico is the legs. Florida makes for anatomical correctness on multiple levels.

 

[Cadence]

As fantasy lovers, I think more people here should read Bone. A comic of more than 1000 pages with a really nice story, lovable characters and charming drawing. I really recommend it!

Who on earth banned Bone!?!?!? (Was the bath scene early on too salacious or something?)

Edit: See link in post 40 below.

 

[CleverNickName]

Who on earth banned Bone!?!?!? (Was the bath scene early in two salacious or something?)

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[MGibster]

It's important to note that what gets challenged shifts around over time. There are some classics like Huck Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird that come up again and again. But there are also-banned titles different every year. But you can generally bet that most of them will involve characters who aren't cisgendered, heterosexual, white, chaste, temperate, christian, and/or extremely mild-mannered. Basically, anything with a different and maybe strongly worded take on things in the contemporary zeitgeist is probably up to be challenged at some point - no matter how morally powerful and forthright that book is.

It is somewhat fascinating to see the reasons for a book to be banned change over the years. Huck Finn has been controversial since it was first published, the coarse language and lowbrow humor was a problem for some. These days Huck Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird are often challenges because of that word, which is frequently used in Huck Finn, as well as how Lee and Twain portray African American characters like Tom and Jim.

 

[Cadence]

I was wondering the same thing.

Holy cow (race).

Case Study: Bone – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

cbldf.org