Hmmmm....I normally do not pay attention to banned books so not sure how to answer this except that I "think" there are a few books in the list that I was required to read in high school. :)
It's always interested to me which books end up being challenged or banned--and why. What's sad is it is still happening today. I feel rather strongly about book banning, and so it's something I do take notice of. Often I'm really surprised by what ends up on the challenged or banned list. For example, I took a quick look at your Goodreads library (I hope you don't mind! I suffer from insomnia and was having fun comparing books read with others I know on the site) and found these gems among your top rated books that have been banned somewhere for some reason (or challenged).
Water for Elephants The Pact Twilight Memoirs of a Geisha A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Rebecca The Poisonwood Bible (challenged) Snow Falling on Cedars A Time to Kill (challenged) A Thousand Splendid Suns The Glass Castle The Art of Racing Rain The Kite Runner (Challenged)
I don't think banned books make up a big percentage of my actual reading, and I can't say I will run out and read a book just because it was banned (although it may pique my interest where there was none before). But I do take notice when I hear about a book being challenged or banned, as, like I said, it's something that bothers me.
This can be a difficult question to answer because it depends on what you look for specifically as the criteria for the banned books. Like does it count if it's just banned in a couple of rural school districts in the Bible Belt? Or do you want it to be an official country ban (like Mein Kampf in Germany)? The lists are way longer if you're going with the former and it can be interesting to see why the books were challenged in the first place.
Usually I don't pay attention to whether or not the book is banned, until I spot a banned books list and I see that the book that I was reading was actually banned. Like, I didn't know that "Where the Wild Things Are" and "The Snowy Day" were banned, despite reading those books for many years. Great answer!
I have never paid much attention to banned or challenged books myself. I know I've read some books that have been challenged, like The Twilight Saga and the Harry Potter series. I've also read "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" and "To Kill A Mockingbird".
I do think that children and younger teens shouldn't read certain books, as they do not have the necessary emotional/psychological maturity to do so.
Banning books, in this country, has nothing to do with the government. This is only for school libraries, and not even for public libraries. I would be up in arms if there were government banning of books for ADULTS. But I do believe that parents have every right to object to certain books being in the libraries of the schools their children attend.
Thanks for sharing, and for always leaving such WONDERFUL, LOVELY comments on my BBH posts!! Have a GREAT weekend!! HUGS!!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)
I didn't even know banning books still existed. I thought it was an old time type of thing. The way I see it, if you really want to read a book, you don't have to sneak around and try to hide it, even if it is "banned". Books are meant to be read, so why ban them because you don't like them? If the content is not to your liking (as a teacher or principal), don't read it to your students. But don't ban it so they will want to check it out even more. Kids are curious like that. How do you think Fifty Shades of Grey got popular?! 🤣
My BBH- http://poemsbyayoungartist.blogspot.com/2017/09/bookblogger-hop-september-22-28-why-are.html?m=1
I actually looked up the banned book list and I was really surprise on how many books that I read and love that were banned or challenged. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop from last week Elizabeth!
Yeah I couldn't really say if my usual reads are considered banned. Probably since most are paranormal and that sort of thing is blasphemous! Lol!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Book Blogger Hop
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Thanks for commenting, Jessica.
DeleteI don't read paranormal, but did't know they were blasphemous. :)
I don't think I could pick just one!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThanks for commenting, Kathy.
It's always interested to me which books end up being challenged or banned--and why. What's sad is it is still happening today. I feel rather strongly about book banning, and so it's something I do take notice of. Often I'm really surprised by what ends up on the challenged or banned list. For example, I took a quick look at your Goodreads library (I hope you don't mind! I suffer from insomnia and was having fun comparing books read with others I know on the site) and found these gems among your top rated books that have been banned somewhere for some reason (or challenged).
ReplyDeleteWater for Elephants
The Pact
Twilight
Memoirs of a Geisha
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Rebecca
The Poisonwood Bible (challenged)
Snow Falling on Cedars
A Time to Kill (challenged)
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Glass Castle
The Art of Racing Rain
The Kite Runner (Challenged)
I don't think banned books make up a big percentage of my actual reading, and I can't say I will run out and read a book just because it was banned (although it may pique my interest where there was none before). But I do take notice when I hear about a book being challenged or banned, as, like I said, it's something that bothers me.
I hope you have a great weekend, Elizabeth!
Wow on the number I read that are banned or challenged. Thanks for doing that. Very interesting isn't it?
DeleteThanks again, and thanks for commenting, Literary Feline.
This can be a difficult question to answer because it depends on what you look for specifically as the criteria for the banned books. Like does it count if it's just banned in a couple of rural school districts in the Bible Belt? Or do you want it to be an official country ban (like Mein Kampf in Germany)? The lists are way longer if you're going with the former and it can be interesting to see why the books were challenged in the first place.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend. - Katie
Is it very interesting to see WHY the books are banned or challenged.
DeleteThank you for commenting, Katie.
I wish there was a comprehensive list out there, but I can not imagine how much work that would require to compile it!
ReplyDeleteThey have a website, but I am more interested in WHY? the book is banned.
DeleteThanks for commenting, Shannon.
Yeah I don't pay too much attention to the list either. Most of the time the reasons the books are even on the list are pretty ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! :)
I never saw any reason - wish I did.
DeleteI am looking for a comprehensive list that lists them all and the reason why.
Thanks for stopping, Heather.
Usually I don't pay attention to whether or not the book is banned, until I spot a banned books list and I see that the book that I was reading was actually banned. Like, I didn't know that "Where the Wild Things Are" and "The Snowy Day" were banned, despite reading those books for many years. Great answer!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Book Blogger Hop!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I want to know WHY!! :)
DeleteThanks for commenting, Ronyell.
Yes, it's bizarre some of the books that have been banned at different times.
ReplyDeleteYes...very bizarre and unusual.
DeleteThanks for commenting, Nicki.
The more I read on this topic the more mystified I become... The reasoning behind the chosen books is, more often than not, truly is bonkers!
ReplyDeleteLOL...I agree. No rhyme or reason.
DeleteThanks for commenting, Nicola.
I have never paid much attention to banned or challenged books myself. I know I've read some books that have been challenged, like The Twilight Saga and the Harry Potter series. I've also read "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" and "To Kill A Mockingbird".
ReplyDeleteI do think that children and younger teens shouldn't read certain books, as they do not have the necessary emotional/psychological maturity to do so.
Banning books, in this country, has nothing to do with the government. This is only for school libraries, and not even for public libraries. I would be up in arms if there were government banning of books for ADULTS. But I do believe that parents have every right to object to certain books being in the libraries of the schools their children attend.
Thanks for sharing, and for always leaving such WONDERFUL, LOVELY comments on my BBH posts!! Have a GREAT weekend!! HUGS!!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)
I agree that children need to be guided in their reading.
DeleteThanks for the marvelous reply as always, Maria.
I didn't even know banning books still existed. I thought it was an old time type of thing. The way I see it, if you really want to read a book, you don't have to sneak around and try to hide it, even if it is "banned". Books are meant to be read, so why ban them because you don't like them? If the content is not to your liking (as a teacher or principal), don't read it to your students. But don't ban it so they will want to check it out even more. Kids are curious like that. How do you think Fifty Shades of Grey got popular?! 🤣
ReplyDeleteMy BBH- http://poemsbyayoungartist.blogspot.com/2017/09/bookblogger-hop-september-22-28-why-are.html?m=1
I think around this time each year they have a banned books week.
DeleteI read whatever I want to read. :)
Thanks for commenting, dani.
I actually looked up the banned book list and I was really surprise on how many books that I read and love that were banned or challenged. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop from last week Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteThat list sure has a lot of books on that I have read too. :)
DeleteThanks for commenting, Katiria.