This week's Book Blogger Hop poses this question:In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your favorite “banned" or "frequently challenged" book?
I feel lucky to be able to read what I want. There are quite a few, so here goes:
What came to mind right away is this! See that cover on the right? That is how I remember Are You There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume with the purple and retro art. The matter-of-fact way that Blume talks about girl's angst in growing up - girl friends, bras, boobs, sexuality, boys - it made the whole ordeal much more bearable. Every girl should read this; it's the equivalent of an open-minded mother who tells you the facts of life without all the sugarcoating or stupid euphemisms.Other banned or challenged books that I've read and appreciated are:
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - Death is something to talk about, even celebrated, in the circle of life.
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker - every woman should read this!
- The Harry Potter Series - if you've been following this blog, you'll know that my daughter and I are huge Harry Potter fans!
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - dystopia literature is not really my thing, but this book seriously impressed me with its insights into woman's issues.
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - as a huge fan of Capote, this result of Truman's personal investigation into the mind of a murderer, is chilling.
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding - this scared the crap out of me - and I was in highschool when I read it!
- I must stop here ... I now realize that there are so many and this probably deserves a separate post!
Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.
Are you there god?... sounds like a great book for girls. Sadly, I've never come across it.I'm a huge fan of Capote too. I had no idea In Cold Blood was a banned/challenged book.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have found you blog. I'm a new follower from http://kafkatokindergarten.blogspot.com/
Hi hopping through, hoping you will follow me back at http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com thks in advance
ReplyDeletei'm not against censorship but... here is my take
ReplyDeletehttp://sidnebkclubreviewz.blogspot.com
Happy Friday! just blogging by.
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Lord of the flies! Classic! Good choice, I'd have to admit that I agree ;)
ReplyDeletePlease do stop by for a crumpet & a spot of tea.
If you enjoy yourself please do leave a comment on some of my reviews.
They are quite lonely :(
Mad Scientist @ Steampunkery & Book Reviews
Hi CHE - I've come across "Are you there God ... " many times at used bookstores and thrift stores. It was written in the 70s but today's young girls would very much be able to relate. "In Cold Blood" was a challenge for me to read. I became a Capote fan after I read "Breakfast at Tiffany's" but "In Cold Blood" sealed the deal!
ReplyDeleteSidne - I'm not against censorship either, in fact this helps me make a much more informed decision in terms of recommending reading material to my daughter.
Mad Scientist - I have a yellowed copy of Lord of the Flies and I;ve reread it so many times I've lost count. If you loved the book, check out this game at Nobel Prize (Golding was a Nobel Prize for literature winner):
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/literature/golding/index.html
Beck Valley, Tribute Books Mama - thanks for coming by - coming over to visit! :)