Banned Books Week 2023

Happy Banned Book Week!

I went to the American Library Association website to see what books were the most banned in 2022. You can find the complete list here but I figured I would share with you the books from this list which I have read and recommend. I haven’t read them all and there are no books on this list I have read which I do not recommend.

Maybe I just like banned books.

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

I love a graphic memoir. For those of you who don’t like reading graphic novels, you might want to consider trying a graphic memoir. One of the first ones I read was Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home, which has also appeared on the banned book list so I guess this one is a two for one. I recommend both of these graphic memoirs. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ and claimed to be sexually explicit.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

I love me some Toni Morrison. But, damn, do her books leave me emotionally devastated. First Beloved (yet another banned book) and this one—both of them broke my heart. Not many books upset me so much they leave me shaking and exhausted. Morrison does that to me every time. Highly recommend reading her novels with some tissues nearby. Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) content, and claimed to be sexually explicit.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

My mother gave me a copy of Turtles All the Way Down and, although I had heard of him, I had not yet read any novels by John Green. So I read the book she gave to me, which hasn’t earned the privilege of being on the banned books list, and then borrowed Looking for Alaska from my public library. I recommend them both. And I probably should consider reading another of his novels. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Here’s another devastating novel. Be warned—the author uses a style of writing that some find off-putting. However, that should not keep you from reading this lovely, emotional, novel. The movie was fine. I didn’t hate it. But the novel is definitely better than the film in this case. Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, and claimed to be sexually explicit.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Have you ever read a sentence in a novel that gave you chills? I have and it is in this novel. Sprinkled throughout are charming illustrations. As soon as I read it, I wanted my grandchild to read it. Challenged for: profanity, and claimed to be sexually explicit.

Have you read any of these books? If not, what is your favorite banned book? I would love to know. I’m always looking for book recommendations.