I read banned books. (Not a Crafty Side Note)

OK, so this doesn't relate to craftiness, but this does relate to my line of work:  libraries.  

Yesterday was the kick-off for Banned Books Week 2008

 (September 27-October 4).  For more information about BBW, check out the American Library Association website.  From there you can read why banning books isn't such a great idea; plus, you can check out the list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books from 2000-2007.  You might be surprised about some of the books on the list.  I was.  I have actually only read 25 of those books (that I can recall, but it's no secret I can apparently block bad reading experiences, i.e. Wuthering Heights-which is not on the list.)  The ALA website also has lists for books and authors challenged in the past and for current years.  It's interesting to see what made the list in the past, and what new (or not so new) smut has bumped those nasty books off the list in recent years.

I can understand why some people are for censorship and banning books, but I just can't get behind that way of thinking.  If you have a problem with a book, don't read it (I'm talking to you, Gossip Girl, or should I say #30?).  If you don't want your innocent children to read a book, then don't let them.  But don't tell me that I cannot decide for myself whether to read a book or not.  And if I had children, don't tell them what they can and cannot read.  That would be my job as a parent, thankyouverymuch.  This is the United States of America and we have a little thing called the First Amendment, which protects our freedom of speech and allows crap to be published (Goosebumps anyone?  That's #84)!  By golly, America is nothing if we can't have our trashy books, isn't that right, What's Happening to My Body? (#78)

So, in honor of Banned Books Week, read some delightfully controversial books, like that evil Bridge to Terabithia (#20).  I've only read about one-fourth of the books on the list.  I would say I have some catching up to do, but seriously, I do have some taste (unlike Captain Underpants, #10).  What's my favorite challenged book?  It's #23, To Kill a Mockingbird.