Monday, September 25, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: The Top Ten Banned/Challenged Books I Want to Read (Banned Book Week Edition)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

I would likely want to read each of the below books even if they hadn't been challenged or banned at some point in history (including recent history), but there's something to be said for putting a big NO! sign on a book that only increases my curiosity. Especially since my experience with challenged and banned books has been very positive. Here is this week's Top Ten Tuesday list, the Top Ten Banned/Challenged Books I Want to Read:


1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  ~ A novel about an average teenage boy maneuvering his way through his teen years as he comes of age.


Reasons for being banned and repeatedly challenged: masturbation, sex, drugs and suicide


2. Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley ~ At once a horror story and a tragedy about a scientist and his creation whose innocence turns to destruction. 



Reasons for being banned: obscene and indecent


3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer ~ A young boy works through his grief after his father is killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack of the World Trade Center by solving the mystery of a key he finds in his father's closet. 



Reasons for being banned and challenged: profanity, sex, violence



4. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan ~ Trying to break the Guinness World Record for the longest kiss, two boys set out on a 32-hour kissing marathon. This novel is uniquely narrated by a Greek Chorus of a generation of gay men who lost their lives to AIDS.


Reasons for repeated challenges: GLBQT characters, sexually explicit, public displays of affection


5. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende ~ A family saga spanning decades and lives, with the personal and political, and full of love, magic and fate. 


Reasons for being repeatedly challenged: sexually explicit language, intense violence and cruelty


6. Native Son by Richard Wright ~ Goodreads describes this classic set in 1930's Chicago as being "an unsparing reflection on the poverty and feelings of hopelessness experienced by people in inner cities across the country and of what it means to be black in America."  


Reasons for being banned and challenged: violence, sex and profanity


7. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. ~ An alien abduction, and jumping through time, particularly during World War II, this is the story of the fictional Billy Pilgrim's life. Although at times comical, the novel tells a tragic story and has a strong anti-war message.


Reasons for being burned, banned and challenged: referenced religious matter, bestiality, explicit sexual scenes, violence, and obscene language


8. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman ~ A fantasy trilogy about parallel universes and a young girl who goes on a rescue mission. This is a trilogy that has been said to make you question what you know. (Oversimplifying, I know).


Reasons for repeated challenges: anti-religious, drinking wine and eating poppy with meals


9. A Wrinkle In Time Madeline L’Engle (reread) ~ A childhood favorite of both mine and my husband's. The story of a girl and her brother who set off with a friend to rescue their father who has slipped into another dimension in time. 


Reasons for being banned and challenged: offensive language, undermines religious beliefs and challenges the idea of God, being too Christian, Satanic undertones


10. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park ~ This series is toted as teaching children about morals and positive experiences from every day situations.


Reasons for being banned and challenged:  bad grammar and language, questionable decisions made by the main character and the messages the book sends.


Have you read any of these? What did you think? Are there any banned/challenged books you would like to read? If so, what are they?


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

39 comments:

  1. I don't think I've read any of these (except a Wrinkle in time when I was really young) but I like the idea of reading banned books, and deciding for myself how I feel about them. I don't think I've read a lot of banned books in general, now that I think about it.

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    1. Greg - I am always surprised at the books people try to ban. I am like you. I prefer to judge a book for myself. Thanks for visiting, Greg.

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  2. Great list, Wendy! Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  3. I've read 1 and 2 and want to read 3 and 7. Ironically enough, I remember A Wrinkle in Time being read to one of my elementary school classes by the teacher. I can't remember what grade though. I need to reread it because I don't remember the story very well. Also, I've read a few of the Junie B. Jones books over the years with my daughters. Great list as always. :)

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    1. Trisha - I think it was an elementary school librarian who got interested in A Winkle in Time books. A Wind in the Door was actually my favorite of the series.

      Thanks for visiting, Trisha!

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  4. I agree about that big NO. I loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower and bought Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close after seeing the movie but haven't read it yet. Shame on me.

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    1. Kathy - I have had my copy of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close for years. I really need to make time for it. I haven't seen the movie because I wanted to read the book first.

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  5. I haven't read any of these yet, but "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is in my TBR. I was not aware that it is a banned book! I am glad I found this info. Thanks for sharing this.

    My TTT

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    1. Simant - I am looking forward to finally reading The Perks of Being A Wallflower one of these days too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. You have so many good books on your list. I especially enjoyed Native Son when I read it years ago.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday Post.

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    1. Astilbe - I am glad to hear you liked Native Son! I have heard it is quite an eye opening read. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for visiting!

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    2. You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

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  7. Nothing makes me more interested in a book then when someone tells me, "No! Don't read that trash!" But seriously... Junie B. Jones was banned?! I LOVED those books as a kid. :)

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    1. Sarah - It's hard to resist at least taking a peek when told "No, don't read this!" :-)

      I am really curious about the Junie B. Jones books,and am glad to hear you loved them.

      Thanks for visiting, Sarah!

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  8. Awesome topic! I didn't even know that Junie Jones was banned! This is quite ridiculous!

    Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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    1. Ronyell - It does seem silly, doesn't it? Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I've read a few of these. Native Son so long ago I barely remember- yeah, there was some brutality. His Dark Materials- that was great. I can see how some folks are made uncomfortable by its challenge of religious concepts, though. A Wrinkle in Time also challenges religious ideas, but in such a tame, intelligent way- I think it's rather laughable that one is banned. Junie B. Jones- I read a bunch of those with my oldest when she was younger. We found them very silly. If parents object to the bad grammar, they ought to take the opportunity to explain to their kid why it is wrong. Or have them read it when they're older. It's really aimed at kids who already have enough of a grasp on reading they can see the humor in the deliberate mistakes.

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    1. Jeane - I remember the controversy when the first book in The Dark Materials series came out as a movie. I'm looking forward to finally reading it. Thank you for your take on Junie B. Jones. I have feeling that is how I will take it too. :-)

      Thanks for visiting!

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  10. I LOVED A Wrinkle in Time, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Frankenstein. I thought Slaughterhouse 5 was kind of weird. And I hated The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Haven't read the rest, but it's nice to know I can any time I want. :)

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    1. Lark - I have heard mixed opinions about Slaughterhouse-Five. And it does sound a bit weird just from the description. I am glad you loved Frankenstein and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I am looking forward to reading both!

      I'm with you. Whether we want to read a book, like it or not like it--it's nice to know we have the choice!

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  11. A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorite books as is Frankenstein. Junie B. Jones was banned? What?! My nephew loved those when he was younger. Great list!

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    1. Alicia - I'm always surprised at the books that have been banned or challenged over the years--and even the reasons why. It's crazy.

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  12. I would ban the Junie B. Jones books just because they're so obnoxious!

    I remember reading A WRINKLE IN TIME in school, more than once. I guess it wasn't banned where I lived.

    I don't believe in banning books, necessarily, but I came across one just yesterday in my daughter's elementary school library that contained some very mature content in the guise of a middle grade fairy tale. It led to a great discussion between the librarians and some mom volunteers about appropriateness in children's literature. I believe the key to the censorship is open, honest discussion.

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    1. Susan - I bet that was an interesting discussion with the librarians and mom volunteers.

      I laughed at your comment about Junie B. Jones. There have been books that have "disappeared" from our house for one reason or another. My husband can't stand the Skippy John Jones books, for instance.

      I do think keeping an open dialogue with our children about what they are reading is a good thing.

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  13. I've read half of the books on your list! That almost never happens for me. I'll have to look into some of the other books you've listed myself.

    Have a great week. - Katie

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    1. Katie - I hope you enjoyed the ones you read. :-) Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. I love Wrinkle in Time and seriously - Junie B. Jones has been challenged?? I mean yes the main character does make bad decisions but she normally learns a lesson from it so doesn't that balance out? Craziness!

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    1. Katherine - I really curious to see what all the fuss is about Junie B. Jones. Thanks for visiting!

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  15. Fantastic list! I've read and enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The House of Spirits and His Dark Materials! I hope you'll enjoy them too! There are a lot of other books on your list, I hope to read soon as well! Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. Lynn - I hope I enjoy them too! They all sound like books I will like, at least. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. A great list and you are right, seeing a big "don't read" sign makes me want to look at the book even more! I'm actually reading Frankenstein right now for R.I.P. but I'm glad it's also a good one for banned book week. I just don't understand book banning.

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    1. Iliana - Yes, tell me no and I'll likely only be more curious when it comes to books. I hope you are enjoying Frankenstein!

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  17. His Dark Materials was one of the most influential books I read as young me. It opened my eyes up to so many possibilities about how to interpret the world (plus it has one of my biggest ships OF ALL TIME. I do not say this lightly.)

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    1. Elizabeth - I don't know why I haven't read His Dark Materials yet. Ive wanted to for years. Hopefully soon! You make it sound so wonderful!

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  18. Looks like you've got some great books ahead of you!


    Lauren @ Always Me

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  19. Oh my goodness, I had no idea Junie B Jones books had ever been challenged! They are so cute and are such good chances to talk to our kids.

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    1. Lisa - That's what I am hoping! I am looking forward to giving it a try.

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