Monthly Archives: September 2022

I did this in 2020–one of the more fun demonstrations I’ve done. We’re doing it again on October 8, and pushing it nationally.

For the past few years (decades, even? I’m too lazy to go look it up), I’ve made it a point to celebrate Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s effort to call attention to efforts to control which books citizens are allow to read. Like most avid readers and writers (and I hang out with more than a few), I’m aghast at the increasing attempts to ban books in schools and libraries, and even book stores where the banners want to even control what customers are allowed to buy.

Given the current dire trend, I’m not going to celebrate this year’s Banned Books Week September 18–24. I’m going to take the whole month for Banned Books Weeks.

If you’re interested in learning more about book banning generally and Banned Bboks Week, here are a few resources:

ALA Banned Books Week site: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned

Unite Against Book Bans: http://uniteagainstbookbans.org

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/10-books-politicians-dont-want-you-to-read

There’s one sign of hope, of course—with all the recent publicity they’ve been getting, quite a few of the most banned books are selling better than they have in years. After all, banned books lists make excellent additions to everybody’s TBR lists.