According to the ALA (American Library Association), "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." Basically it is a week celebrating all of those books that push the envelope, discuss controversial subjects, or are deemed immoral in some way shape or form. This definition covers a lot of books, and many that are considered as "classics" now and even the Bible and the Qur'an. This is totally awesome!
I've tried finding a complete list of all banned, censored, or challenged books, but none fo the lists I've seen match up completely. Here are a few links: Wikipedia, banned-books.com, Alder & Robin Books. I wonder how Boston is celebrating and if Salman Rushdie is doing okay?
For my own personal celebration I am going to read a banned book. I'm not entirely sure which one, but I'm leaning toward re-reading A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess.
People- Go out and celebrate your freedom of speech and thank God that you live in an open-minded society! And check out this blog post.
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