In Praise of Banned Books

From the ALA's Banned Book Resources

Banned Book Week started yesterday and I'm already thinking about which book to read. I traditionally read a banned or challenged book every year during banned book week. I had planned to save Lolita for this year but found myself reading it mid-year. Sadly I have a ton of other books to choose from.

One of the greatest rights we have in this country is the freedom of the press and along with it, the freedom to read what we want. It is a right that has been challenged and questioned, but I still believe that the freedom to read and say what we want is the foundation of a good democracy. The librarian in me screams out that we all have a right to education and should have access to all types of information.

A couple months ago I did a review of And Tango Makes Three for Yet Another Children's Book Blog. That story has been the most banned or challenged book of the last couple years. There is debate that it is one of the most banned books ever. Yet wonderfully I was able to go to the public library near me, pick up a copy, and see what all the fuss was about. It is one of my most frequently read reviews. And one of my more passionately written.

I have never seen a reason to ban books. If you don't want your child to read a certain book, don't let them read it. If you have objections about a book and your child does read it, explain what those objections are. Talk with your child about why you don't approve of the book. But don't try to keep me from reading the book. Don't deny others the right to read and learn because of your morals. (I apologize. I know I'm up on my soapbox today).

Each year the American Library Association promotes reading on Banned Book Week. No librarian will tell you that you can't read something. Reading is learning and all aspects of life should be learned about. If you are passionate about the freedom of the press and about reading in general, go through this list. See what is being banned. And possibly grab yourself a copy. Celebrate Banned Book Week by flexing the freedom to read.

Independence Day!!!

This post is really for Jeff because today is a special day for us. An anniversary of sorts. Nope not the day we were married, or engaged, or met. Many people would be offended that we celebrate this anniversary. But it means a lot to us. Today is Independence Day. Five years ago, on a Friday just like today, Jeff got himself fixed.

Most people would be shocked that I would A. talk about his vasectomy and B. celebrate it. But it took me a long to time to get to the decision to let him have it and we still claim that it was the best $80 we ever spent. (And I love that insurance covered it). Today is special for me because it provided us with independence. I no longer have to worry about what would happen if I got pregnant. I have time now to dedicate to the things that I want to do. I can relax on the couch and read a book all afternoon without having to worry about what the kids need. I can play WoW until 2 in the morning without having to deal with small children the next day. I know that for a lot of people that sounds selfish, and maybe it is, but this is the only life I get. I want the time to use for the things I enjoy.

One of the King Arthur stories that really left an impression on me was the story of Gawain and Dame Ragnall. I won't tell the whole story here but in order to save Arthur, Gawain agrees to marry a hideous witch. The witch had challenged to two men to find out what women want and when they failed to do so, he is forced to marry. On their wedding day, the witch offers Gawain a choice. She can be beautiful during the day, when they are with people, but hideous at night when she is with him. Or she can be hideous during the day, but beautiful at night for him. Gawain asked her to make the choice, saying she had to live with the results. And that she revealed is what women want, Choice. I have to agree. I love being able to choose what to do with my hours.

So tonight Jeff and I will go out to some beautiful restaurant, where the linens are starched and the food looks like it was prepared by artists. We will probably buy a bottle of white and toast to our freedom. We'll talk about movies and politics and WoW. And I won't have to cut up anyone's food. I love my life. Viva la independence!