Friday, September 26, 2014

Friday Books: Banned Books

September 21-27 is Banned Books Week. Want to read a book that was once banned? I perused a list that explained where and why the books had been banned, but I'm not including all that detail (and also not including all the books). Just look over this list, and be amazed. Who would ban these books?? Today is my birthday. In protest against censorship, you can give me a birthday gift: choose to read one of these books. (I have a book review below this list.)

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Native Son by Richard Wright
The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (ashamed to say, this author was banned from speaking in a Minnesota school district)
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak


Here's my weekly review: Let Him Go by Larry Watson. Watson is the author of Montana 1948 which I read several years ago and thought was excellent. Twice I have read other Watson books, hoping they would match the excellence of Montana 1948. I don't believe I have found one that matches.

Let Him Go is about an older couple whose son died; they are looking for their former daughter-in-law and their grandson. They had lost touch and wanted to re-establish contact. It was entertaining (in a sad sort of way), suspenseful (a little), but also predictable (sort of). I wouldn't call it great. I think I may be in a minority. Other reviewers rave about this book, so perhaps you would love it, too. My sister, the bookstore owner, also loved it.

I give it three stars for being a good story, not a bad way to spend a few hours reading, but not among the greats.


She is engrossed in a good book.

8 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Where the Wild Things Are was/is one of my adult sons' favorites.

And the Shel Siverstein books? When our older son married, he AND his wife had copies and now there are two copies of each on their bookshelves in their living room.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! I have read a few of the books on the list. Can't believe they were banned. We share a birthday. I am 60 today! Love your blog.

Lola in NW MN

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!! Catcher in the Rye was banned also and Goodnight has been reading it in her Lit class. Yea! I have read most of the books on the list you included, but I will find something that was banned and read it in honor of your birthday. Best wishes on your birthday and many more.

Carol E. said...

I love Shel Silverstein, too. I'm looking through A Light in the Attic today.

Lola, Happy Birthday!! How cool that we share a birthdate. Hope you're having a good day, too. The weather is delightfully perfect!

Goodnight, yes, CITR was banned. There were several I left off my list. Thanks for choosing to read a banned book. :-)

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Happy Birthday!!
I have read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and enjoyed it very much.

Anonymous said...

I'm reading Catcher in the Rye--was a novice reader when it came out--we'll see how I see it differently this time.

Anonymous said...

C, just stopping back to give you a definite banned book birthday gift. I decided to read Rabbit, Run by John Updike.

Anonymous said...

Hello there, came over from GnG's and will look out for Lady Chatterley's Lover when I get back home (am travelling at the moment) but have downloaded the one she mentioned on her blog and will try that as I go along.
Good post that has you thinking
Take care
Cathy