banned books

Authors of books banned in the UK talk about why their books were an important contribution to the terrorism debate and why it’s a shame that British readers have been denied access to their work.

I have a real problem with this, especially when I read things like: “In some instances, the books were thrown into pulping machines so that all evidence of their existence was destroyed.”

“The graphic depictions of violence, suicide and sexual assault in two Pat Conroy books are at the heart of a First Amendment debate, pitting offended parents against high school students who don't want to be told what they can't read.” The students themselves are threatening legal action against the school board over the removal of the books.

"My knowledge of mountain lore is strong enough to know the dangers of refusing to help a Hatfield of West Virginia. I also do not mess with McCoys."

"People cuss in my books. People cuss in my real life. I cuss, especially at Citadel basketball games. I’m perfectly sure that Steve Shamblin and other teachers prepared their students well for any encounters with ... profanity in my books."

Kudos to B&N for them for not stocking it. It'll still be available for purchase there, but by special order only. When the book idea first hit the news last year, I was working in a B&N store. The publisher at the time was about to ship them to us blind (like Oprah books are). We were in dread.

Collecting the poems for this volume was "no easy task." Originally deemed classified information by the U.S. military, the poems were written with little expectation of being read outside Guantanamo. During Banned Books Week (September 29 - October 6) and throughout September and October, several booksellers across the country will be holding readings from the collection.

Forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest. But can you believe they banned Where’s Waldo for nudity?!