3 Books You are NOT Allowed to Read

Now, I may have lied a bit in my title, you absolutely can read these books, it just maybe a little harder. Depending on your area you may be unable to rent these books from school, find them at public libraries, buy them at bookstores, and more. That’s because each of these books falls onto a list of banned books. Banning books, according to Susan L. Webb is a form of censorship occurs when private individuals, government officials, or organizations remove books from libraries school reading lists, or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas, or themes.

I choose to write this little blog this week because it is banned books week! I truly hope that you take a look at these books, read them, and support the authors regardless. Each of these books is from the 2020 list of banned books that are attached here.

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#1 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I had to read To Kill a Mockingbird in my freshman high school English class, but ended up reading it again during my first year of college. The book is one that every time I read it, brings me back to the moments in my class where my friends said I was like Scout, and where I was perfectly able to imagine the story in front of me. This is another good one that covers the topic of racism and is well worth the read. 

To Kill a Mockingbird Cover

#2 Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 

Slaughterhouse-Five was a book that I was forced to read for my Literature class in college. I kinda groaned at the request but fell in love with the book in a few pages. The book is science fiction mixed with historical fiction in the best way telling the life of Billy Pilgrim. The book has some graphic moments, vulgar language, and more, but nothing to shy away from. Give this book a read! 

Slaughterhouse Five Book Cover

#3 Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Clap When You Land is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it this past summer, and couldn’t get over how fantastic and well-written it was. This book takes place completely in verse and tells the story of Camino and Yahaira Rios’ lives separated by distance.

Seeing this book on the banned books list kinda took the wind out of me. When you reference the list, you will find that there are an obscene amount of books on there written by authors of color. Many of these books cover big topics that young people should and need to be aware of. Banning books is disappointing, but also harms the authors that write those books, and prevents them from getting their voices out there, so pick up this book today, I promise you won’t be disappointed. 

Clap When You Land Cover

Books are magical places to travel in your mind, and the banning of books is ridiculous and cruel. Pick up a banned book today and give it a read!

Want to read about one of my other favorite banned books? Check out my blog about the Hunger Games!