Banned Books 2006

As I mentioned in the previous post, last night I attended a lecture by American Library Associations Director of Intellectual Freedom, Judith Krug. She talked a lot about banned books and the role of the library when books are challenged. It was an interesting discussion. Here is the list of the most frequently challenged books from last year. Surprise--no Harry Potter! 9 of the 10 books listed sexuality as one of the reasons for the challenge, including the two Toni Morrison books. I don't know about you, but I don't think there's an epidemic of kids sneaking a copy of Beloved off the shelves to read out loud the titillating scenes.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Last night I went to a talk by Judith Krug, the director of ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom. She was talking about the list of the top 10 banned books of last year, and this was on the list. Krug read and loved this after it was first challenged and her description of the book made me put in on hold immediately when I got home. Virginia is an overweight girl in a very attractive family. She has a boyfriend but is uncomfortable with him because of her weight. Her best friend moves away and on a visit to see her, Virginia takes a few risks that end up paying dividends when she returns home. What really made me want to read this, though, was Krug's description of a subplot involving Virginia's seemingly perfect older brother. When he date rapes a woman at college, Virginia begins to worry obsessively about the victim. The book was banned because of issues of sexuality.

Lolita

I read this many years ago and really liked it but am listening to it again on audio now for book club. It really is amazing how Nabokov is able to write so beautifully while telling such a disturbing story of Humbert Humbert and his nymphette. The moving language is even more evident as a book on CD in Jeremy Iron’s creepy voice. I’m not very far in so far, but I really appreciate the beginning “notes’ where the narrator says that offensive is often just another name for something unusual, and, because a quality of art is originality, it is often considered offensive. Just a great book.

Love Story

What can you say about a 25 year old girl that died? Does love mean never having to say you're sorry? For the answers to these and other thought provoking questions check out this pop favorite of the 1970s. I read this in high school, as research for a speech on censorship. Apparently, "for Christ's sake" can get your book banned in high school libraries. Well, for Christ's sake, concerned censors, I would have never read this book without you! The book is full of snappy dialogue and I still have a major soft spot for it, though I've always related more to Oliver than Jenny and it certainly is full of stock characters. It's a quick read and it will make you laugh.