Banned Book Club

By London Alexander
LinkedIn

Exchanging forbidden knowledge is one of the most thrilling ways people can connect. So, I’m going to let you into a secret club: the Banned Book Club, where every month we read books that many hateful groups try to ban from libraries and classrooms—books praised by educators and librarians, but prohibited by parents. In order to combat the suppression of minority struggles and uplift the voices of the marginalized, we must read as many of these books as we can.

You might be asking yourself, why would a book be banned? According to Pen America, of the 1,477 books censored in the recent year, the majority were banned due to featuring LGBTQ+ content, expressing female empowerment, having characters of color, and presenting education about race. So to combat the banning of books, we’re going to read them to form our own opinions and discuss! 

Here are 3 books that rank high on the list of the most censored books and why we should definitely be reading them:

1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This female-led fantasy story begins in the 1700s following Addie LaRue as she desperately tries to escape her mundane life in a small French town by running away on the day of her arranged marriage. She attempts to summon a reasonable God—those that answer during the day—but doesn’t realize how quickly it is becoming night when she mistakenly engages with a sinister God that only answers after dark. She gets what she most desires: the ability to live forever so she can explore everything the world has to offer. However, in exchange, the Darkness makes it so Addie cannot leave her mark on the world in any way. Anyone she meets forgets her the second a door closes between them; anything she writes or paints disappears; she can’t even leave a footprint in the snow! After three centuries of traveling aimlessly through the world, she stumbles upon a quaint bookshop in modern-day New York City, where she meets Henry, the only person who can remember her.

This whimsical story is often banned due to Addie’s choice to have sex with various partners throughout her life—which, if you’re 300 years old, you’re bound to have sex with more than one person! Those who censor this book want to police women’s bodies and deny their freedom of choice. However, Addie takes accountability for her decisions—even her mistakes—showing that autonomy creates self-respect and self-trust. Without those qualities she wouldn’t be able to survive her loneliness, uncover why Henry is the only person that can remember her, and engage in a battle of wits with the Darkness. Those that blacklist this book are afraid they won’t be able to oppress women any longer. Choosing to explore V.E. Schwab’s forbidden tale will show those people they can’t take away women’s independence.

2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

In this memoir manifesto, author George M. Johnson tells their story about growing up within the intersectionality of being Black and gender non-conforming. Johnson was taken care of by a supportive grandmother who allowed them to explore their gender expression. Johnson beautifully guides the reader through their life journey that includes many comedic moments such as his family’s reaction to his choice of wearing alligator boots over Nikes as a small child. It also delves into personal moments like their letters written to relatives telling them how important they have been to Johnson’s existence. The memoir also presents Johnson’s struggle to cope and understand their sexual trauma.

According to an interview with Johnson on NPR, this memoir is blacklisted in 29 school districts, making it one of the most outlawed books of the year due to the expression of gender nonconformity, race education, and the inclusion of advice for how to live life on your own terms. Interestingly, the quotes that are listed as reasons for the ban are also the same reasons we should be reading it! 

“I want to immortalize…this narrative of the Black queer experience that has been erased from the history books.” 

“The greatest tool you have in fighting the oppression of your Blackness and queerness…is to be fully educated on it.”

“I was proud of how strong you were to make that decision to transition….”

Learning about new experiences is fundamental to reading, especially when it comes to memoirs. By understanding other people’s stories, we’re able to learn about the systemic struggles that minority groups face. Those who forbid the reading of this book are looking to discount the experiences that so many of us go through. Denying those experiences generates the idea that everyone has a uniform way of going through life and, in turn, blinds people to the struggles of others. So in order to empathize and understand those around us, we must learn about their disparities. By reading Johnson’s memoir, some will also learn that they share the same struggles, which may help them feel less alone in the world. 

3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Not only has this coming-of-age romance story won queer literary awards such as the Stonewall Award, the Printz Honor, and the Lambda Literary Award, but it has also been adapted into a movie of the same title starring Max Pelayo and Reese Gonsales. Set in El Paso, Texas, it follows two teenagers and their battles with racial and cultural identity as they discover their feelings for each other. The beauty of the story comes from how the characters challenge their Mexican-American cultural norms of what makes someone “feminine” or “masculine.” Facing adversity and their family’s reactions, they need to decide if they are going to break from cultural expectations to pursue their love.

This book is banned for its presentation of a queer relationship, references to drugs and sex, and race education. However, many readers identify with this book, as they see themselves facing similar issues, wrestling with their own cultural identities, and feeling societal pressures around gender expression and sex. Talking about hardships in life is a way for people to connect and understand that they are not alone. Readers may not realize that others share a common opposition. The tough, street-smart Aristotle (Ari) looks to uncover why his brother has been in prison, understand his parents’ lack of communication, and end the generational trauma of being unable to express emotion. Through intense drama and heartfelt emotion, the story unravels as Ari must decide whether he will accept his love for Dante or be held back by his family and culture.

So how can you fight book bans? Go read, read, read all the banned books you possibly can! By exploring the elaborate worlds, multifaceted characters, and inspiring messages found in books, you will enrich your mind with the knowledge that hateful groups are actively working to deny you in order to push their oppressive agenda. Knowledge should never be kept a secret. Form your own opinions and share them with each other, because books should be discussed, not banned.

Next month, I’ll be reviewing the number one most banned book, Tricks by Ellen Hopkins. We’ll discuss the story of how 5 teenagers in a world of sex work, drugs, and alcohol fight to learn how to love themselves. Join me in uncovering the forbidden knowledge that 33 school districts have suppressed and learn why we should read this book!

London Alexander
LinkedIn