If you read, you probably know that this week (September 24-October 1) is Banned Books Week. This is the week were people everywhere celebrate the right to read anything and everything that they want. I feel really offended personally when I hear about books being challenged and banned; books have been a major part and influence in who I am as a person. I even feel like my life would be different if I hadn't read the books I've read. I think that it important that everyone's opinion is heard; people may have their own personal opinions on the topics discussed, but they have no right to take an other person opinion and ban it from public view.

ALA has a list of the top ten challenged books of 2010 and I thought I would list and talk about the ones I've read. (If I've read it it's in orange. If I haven't it's in blue)

1) And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

2) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

3) Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

4) Crank, by Ellen Hopkins

I actually haven't read Crank yet, but I have read other books by Ellen Hopkins and they all have been mind blowingly amazing. They do deal with topics that to some might seem controversial, but they are realistic and thought-provoking.

5) The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games. Who hasn't read this at this point? I see no reason why anybody would ban this.

6) Lush, by Natasha Friend
 
7) What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones

Another amazing novel told in verse. I think verse novels in particular are challenged just because they seem more raw and realistic. I'm guessing this one was challenged because some lying does occur in the book. I guess the people who challenged it never lie themselves? 

8) Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich

9) Revolutionary Voices, edited by Amy Sonnie
 
10) Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

This one falls into The Hunger Games category with WHO HASN'T READ THIS. Twilight is all in good fun. All sane people know that vampires are fiction. It isn't telling its readers to go sign a contact with satan.

So what do you think about books being banned? What are some of your favorite banned books? Have anything cool you are doing for banned books week?

Happy Banned Books Week and happy reading!

 --Alexis