Shhh, keep quiet when you enter, and don’t leave the door open behind you! Come on in, and close the door immediately because it’s not safe here!
There’s a reason why writers write and readers read. Words give us back the power that has been snatched from us. But when even our words, printed on sheets turn into another debate then what does that leave us? Writers have been writing their thoughts for themselves but somehow through the darkness and distance, these words manage to find us. Readers read these thoughts and ideas, relate to them, seek solace in them and they feel seen and valid when they learn that what they are going through isn’t just their own; but it’s everybody’s story.
However, when books get banned, it takes this feeling from us readers and writers both. Words have the power to change lives but who gets to decide what we should read and shouldn’t? We’d leave that to you to ponder upon. There are countless books that get banned on a daily and what we have listed down below, are just a few books.
We always wonder that banned books are banned for a reason and nothing intrigues us more than that. Because most often than not, the truth behind these bans happens to be that these books are real and fearlessly share the truths that people would like to hide forever. But, words are like sunlight and they will always find a way to reach us. So dear reader, if you are curious, then you may start reading these few banned books straight away.
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All Boys Aren’t Blue
George M. Johnson is a famous journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist. With this book, he explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. He recounts his experiences, weaving together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Through this young-adult memoir, Johnson shares his ideas on gender identity, toxic masculinity, consent, brotherhood, structural marginalization, as well as Black joy.
Gender Queer
Maia Kobabe uses e/em/eir pronouns. In 2014, e thought that a comic about reading statistics would be eir last autobiographical comic. But, now Gender Queer is here, a book that charts Kobabe’s journey of self-identity. It recounts eir experiences such as adolescent crushes, coming out, erotic gay fan fiction, and trauma of pap smears. This isn’t a personal story, but rather it’s a useful and touching guide for humans everywhere.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
This book is Maya Angelou’s debut memoir. It beautifully captures the longing of lonely children, bigotry, and the magic of words that can set everything right in the world. Maya was sent to live with her grandmother when she was a small girl. She was eight years old when she returned home to her mother. Attacked by a man many times her age, she now survives with its consequences. It will take her years before she learns to love and allow herself to be free instead of hiding in her own prison.
Speak
When you are in school, they tell you that you must speak up for yourself. But, they are lying and Melinda has always known that. She called the cops at a party so now nobody is talking to her at school. She is friendless, an outcast with no one who would actually listen to what she has to say. She becomes isolated and stops talking but when her past barges into her life, she decides to finally speak and stand up for herself.
Lawn Boy
Mike Munoz is a young Chicano who lives in Washington State. For him, his whole life has been about waiting for something to happen but it’s been a few years too many now. He knows if he wants to change his life, then he is the only one who can do it. He tries again and again but it’s not looking very great for him. Until things begin to change and it starts looking good for him.
The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian
Junior lives in Spokane Indian Reservation. He is a budding cartoonist determined to take his future into his own hands. His first step towards change is made by leaving his troubled school on the rez. He decides to attend the all-white farm town high school. There’s only one other Indian in that school who happens to be the school mascot. The book follows Junior and his determination to break away from a life he was destined to live.
The Hate U Give
Starr Carter is a 16 years old girl who struggles between two worlds: who she is and who she could be. On an unfortunate day, she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend. The police officer shot Khalil, who was unarmed at the time. As his death becomes a headline, everyone presses for the truth but only Starr knows the whole truth. What she does and doesn’t do next could affect not only her but her entire community.
And Tango Makes Three
Roy and Silo are two male penguins. They live at the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo. A little bit different on the inside, these penguins desire a family just the same as other penguins. So, with the help of a kind zookeeper, they welcome a baby penguin of their own and raise it in the Central Park Zoo with them.
Beloved
Sethe was a slave who escaped to Ohio. But, running away never guaranteed freedom to anybody and that’s why even 18 years later, she is still not free. Her past still haunts her and the nameless baby whose tombstone is engraved with “Beloved” troubles her even today. Sethe tries her best to run far away from that past but it comes at her like a bullet train. Now, the terrible secrets she had buried threaten to explode when a mysterious girl arrives in her life, calling herself Beloved.
How To Be An Antiracist
The author of this book shares his concept of antiracism that reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America. It shows us several ways of thinking about ourselves as well as those around us. The book mainly focuses on what an antiracist society might look like and how we can contribute to making a just and equitable society.
Lucky
Alice Sebold reveals in this memoir how her life changed when something brutal happened to her. She was an 18 years old college freshman when she was raped and beaten in a park near campus. In this book, she recounts her struggles for understanding, her friends and family who tried their best, and at last, her triumphs. The book sends out the message that either you save yourself or you remain unsaved.
Me And Earl And The Dying Girl
Greg Gaines has survived high school by being invisible but now that’s about to change. He has only one friend, Earl with whom he makes movies. One day, his mother informs him that Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia and forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with her. Rachel stops treatment suddenly so Greg and Earl make a film for her as well, unaware that this would be the turning point in their lives.
Monday’s Not Coming
Monday Charles has gone missing but apparently, it’s only Claudia who seems to notice. Both the girls are more like sisters than friends so it’s obvious she cares for her. But, when Claudia inquires Monday’s mother about her sudden disappearance, she refuses to give the girl any straight answer. Claudia misses Monday and begins digging deeper but how does one find out about a girl’s disappearance when nobody remembers the last time they saw her?
More Happy Than Not
Aaron Soto is just a teenager struggling to find happiness after a family tragedy shatters his world. With his girlfriend by his side, he tries to remember happiness. But, Thomas, Aaron’s new best friend is the one person who helps him open up in a way nobody could. As they grow closer, Aaron discovers things about himself that could affect his newfound contentment. Then, Leteo Institute announces a procedure that could somehow straighten him out, but what if that means losing his real self?
Nineteen Minutes
A lot can happen in nineteen minutes. Sterling is a small ordinary town. One day, a shocking act of violence disrupts the town’s peace. The town residents seek justice but as they move on, they try to come to terms with the roles they themselves might have played in the horrifying tragedy. The trial begins and progresses slowly, showcasing the fault lines that will threaten even the best of friendships and families.
Sold
In the mountains of Nepal, lives a thirteen-year-old girl. The girl’s name is Lakshmi. Her family is poor and in desperate need of money. One day, her father informs her that she must take a job to support the family. Lakshmi obliges and travels to India with the beautiful stranger who tells her she will work as a maid for a wealthy woman. But, upon arriving, she quickly learns that she has been sold into prostitution to pay off her father’s debt. She struggles and survives but the day comes when she gets the chance to choose what she wants. The question is, will she risk everything for a chance to reclaim her life, or is she far too gone?
The Bluest Eye
Pecola Breedlove is a simple eleven-year-old Black girl. She prays for her eyes to turn blue just like all the pretty blue-eyed children in America. In 1941, the marigolds in Breedloves’ garden do not bloom but Pecola’s life does change in the most painful and devastating way. This book follows a child, her yearning, and the tragedy of its fulfillment that still remains unforgettable.
The Infinite Moment Of Us
Wren Gray’s goal in her life has been to please her parents but that was easier when pleasing them overlapped with pleasing herself. Now as high school graduation nears, she decides to do as she wishes but how can she achieve that when she doesn’t know what are her desires and goals? Charlie Parker knows what he desires. When their path will collide, their lives will change for better or for worse.
The Truth About Alice
Everybody thinks that they know Alice. They know she is a slut who slept with two guys at one party and they know she was texting Brandon when he crashed his car and died. But do they really know what happened? Four Healy High students tell their version of the story but if there’s someone who knows the truth, it’s Alice herself. Everybody will learn about Alice and the truth about her when she decides to speak.
1984
The book is set in London at a time when there has been no new housing for years, the slums are called Victory Mansions and everyone knows that war is indeed peace. Winston Smith is living his life, working in the Ministry of Truth. When two people enter his life, his life will be transformed completely. One betrays him and the other is betrayed by him against his own desires. Whatever happens next makes a thrilling story of mounting drama and suspense.
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