Fully Booked | Why Read Banned Books?

Last week was Banned Books Week, an annual event that began in 1982 to call attention to the dangers of literary censorship. Each year, the American Library Association compiles and publishes data on book bans and censorship demands in the U.S. — and it’s sometimes surprising and always disappointing when I learn that some of my favorite books are being removed from library shelves. 

The ALA reported that in 2023, the number of individual book titles challenged increased by 65% compared to 2022. Banned Books Week is a great time to learn about the harmful effects of literary censorship in the U.S. and support authors of banned and challenged books. It’s as important as ever that we continue reading, teaching and discussing diverse and complex stories. It’s necessary to support the authors of these stories after BBW is over. If you don’t know where to start, I have a few banned book recommendations.

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a beautifully vulnerable story about her experience growing up in the South in the 1930s as a young Black girl. After her parents divorced when she was three years old, Angelou moved to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with her grandmother. Angelou describes the time she spent at her grandmother’s store, while also encountering racist actions and comments, having insecurities about her looks and struggling to find her place in her community. 

One of the main reasons why this book has been banned is because Angelou also writes about sexual abuse multiple times. Angelou discusses the shame she felt because she was molested and raped, which is a prime example of the vulnerability she displays throughout the memoir. This book is a great introduction to Angelou’s work and is greatly valuable for its honesty surrounding challenging subjects.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

Usually, when I talk about “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” the person I’m talking to has also read the book and watched the movie — but if you haven’t, let me tell you why you should. This book follows the main character Charlie through his freshman year of high school as he writes letters to a hypothetical friend. Charlie enters high school without friends because his best friend committed suicide near the end of eighth grade. In his early letters, he describes his observations about high school and the loneliness he is experiencing. Eventually, Charlie meets two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who soon become his best friends. 

Throughout this book, Charlie mentions his Aunt Helen who died when he was just seven, but is someone he misses greatly almost every day. Chbosky’s novel explores several themes prevalent in many banned books, including sexuality, mental health, abuse and trauma. After reading this book twice, I found that connecting with Charlie is easy because the letters he writes allow readers to understand his thoughts and emotions. 

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

In 2022, Penguin Random House posted a YouTube video announcing a fireproof edition of this dystopian novel, with Margaret Atwood attempting and failing to burn the book, “because powerful words can never be extinguished.” The story is set in the fictional Republic of Gilead, where the main character Offred lives as a handmaid — a fertile woman — whose reproductive rights belong to the government. As a handmaid, it is required that Offred provide a wealthy “Commander” and his wife — who is infertile — with children. 

Atwood’s novel has become one the most banned books in the U.S., mainly because of its sexual content and LGBTQIA+ characters. However, it has also been suggested that the book is also anti-Christian because Atwood created a world where tyranny was justified using religion. This book was a very quick read for me because I found it incredibly difficult to put down, and I don’t think I will ever stop recommending it.

This year’s Banned Books Week has already ended, and it’s likely that the number of conversations and interest in banned books will decrease. So if you’re looking for a new book to read, consider buying or checking out one from my list, or from the American Library Association’s list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2023 to support authors of banned books. In each banned book I’ve read, I have appreciated the honesty and apparent fearlessness of the author, and I hope you will too!