Banned Books Week 2012

It's that time of year again! Banned Books Week 2012 will be held September 30th through October 6th.

This is an important celebration of freedom. It's a reminder of how fortunate we are to have the right to read (and write) whatever we choose.

It's also a time to remember that there are always a few people who attempt to deprive us of those rights. (I often wonder - does it ever occurs to them that if they are able to take rights away from others, that they have opened the door to losing their own rights, as well?)

Fortunately, their attempts often fail. In fact, what usually happens is that the book gets more attention, and becomes even more popular.

Some books remain on the 'banned' list year after year. To Kill a Mockingbird (an all-time favorite of mine) is one of them.

Among more recent ones still challenged are The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and The Hunger Games.

Let's not ever forget to be grateful for our freedom to read the books we love. (And to watch the movies made from them!)

Reading is always educational. It causes us to think, perhaps about things we've never considered before.
It can help us define who we are, and who we want to become. It shows us other worlds, other ways of living.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like living in a world where books were illegal? A world like the one described in Fahrenheit 451?

Let's celebrate our freedom this week by visiting a local library. Check out a book that has been banned or challenged and read it cover to cover.

Read more than one, if you have the time.

Or, if you can, buy one (or more!) and start, or add to, your own collection of books.

Happy reading!

Back to Banned Books Week

Return from Banned Books Week 2012 to favorite-banned-books.com