Read, Click, Watch, Buy: Banned Books Week
Links from week of 10/1/23 to check out.
Below, I’ve collected a round-up of links to learn more about book bans and how to help fight them. Down further, you’ll find other links about books, culture, and more.
To catch up on the book banning anti-movement, check out this explainer (or watch above) to get up to speed.
According to the American Library Association, so far this year there have been almost 700 attempts to remove or censor nearly 4,000 total titles from public schools and libraries — a 20 percent increase from last year.
Unsurprisingly, books that address racism, slavery, LGBTQ+, and sexism are the most banned books, per Pen/America.
Accordingly, these are some of the most banned books in America. You’ll see that classics ranging from masterpieces like “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison to New York Times Bestsellers like “Perks of Being a Wallflower” all top the list, per Pen/America.
Like NYT Opinion columnist, Margaret Renkl, as a child I too roamed the public library freely while my mother, a first grade teacher, perused the newest children’s books. The library served as a venue for self-guided discovery, its impact is still felt today. Read the whole essay here.
People say New Yorkers are rude, but with the Brooklyn Library’s Book Unbanned program, I’d say we’re anything but. Check out how the library is getting banned books in the hands of folks all over the country.
Be sure to stay up to date on all things book censorship by subscribing to Book Riot’s
newsletter.Pissed off yet? Good. Check out American Library Association, Pen/America, or check out this tool-kit by the Authors Guild to get started.
Though certain groups might not see the value in celebrating literature, Hollywood certainly isn’t one. Yet another adaption has been announced by Netflix for top-selling novel, “All the Light We Cannot See,” per Variety.
Likewise, Jessica Knoll’s new best-selling thriller, “Bright Young Women” is in development to be adapted to a T.V. series, via Deadline.
To commemorate its 90th anniversary, author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah discussed his near-future dystopian immediate classic, “Chain-Gang All-Stars,” his upbringing, and how he starting writing, via Esquire.
Adjei-Brenyah was also announced as a National Book Awards Finalist for the novel, per National Book Awards.
Leaving the fashion world has its pros and cons. Pro: More sleep. Con: Missing certain new design evolutions seen during fashion month. Fortunately for all of us,
curated a must-buy recap of the biggest trends from the Spring 2024 shows that just ended, via .My first concert was The Beach Boys. While I was youngest in the crowd by a few solid decades, I shared in the absolute awe of Brian Wilson. I will forever carry a torch for the group, and Brian in particular. Here, he finally gets his due, via Book Forum.