Hi my fellow bookworms!
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| (c) ALA, 2026 |
I am with the banned! This week is the start of the annual Banned Books Week, which takes place this year from October 4th through October 10th. This year's theme is "Let Books Be. Protect the freedom to read" Let them be already! The American Library Association ("ALA") breaks down what this annual event is about perfectly in the following blurb:
"Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Held in the last week of September or first week of October, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas."
Upcoming on this Saturday, October 10, 2026, is Let Freedom Read Day! The ALA, among other event sponsors, are asking everyone to take one action on this day to defend books from censorship and to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers, and booksellers who make books available for all. Things you can do (not limited to the one day) include:
- Registering to vote. Be sure to check your voter registration, if you are unsure you are up-to-date.
- Take the Freedom to Read Voter Pledge.
- Call or write a letter to your local elected representatives and ask them to support the right to read.
- Join Unite Against Book Bans.
- Report censorship to the ALA.
- Check out (and read) a banned book from your local library!
- Buy a banned book!
- Attend a Banned Books Week 2026 author event from EveryLibrary Live!
- Read some of the book resumes for the titles that are challenged, and see the reasons why they are challenged from United Against Book Bans.
- Take part in the Reading is Resistance: Banned Books are Brave Books activities from Sourcebooks.
- Check out ALA's lineup of events.
- Participate in Libro.fm's Banned Books Week Read-In.
- And of course....READ A BANNED BOOK!
Each year, the ALA documents which titles have been challenged and censored. The top titles change over the years, although from year to year, you may not see much of a difference. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, for example, has been listed as a most challenged book for quite a while, with the first time appearing on the list was in 2004.
The top 11 most challenged books of 2025 are as follows:
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| (c) 2026, ALA |
The updated censorship numbers, as reported by the ALA, are as follows:
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| (c) 2026, ALA |
How many of the titles listed above have you read? I have read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I have started Sold by Patricia McCormick, as well as Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas. I hope to read Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe soon, as that title is often challenged, as well. I hope to read all these titles at some point, especially with the frequent challenges against them.
I wish you well and hope you can be part of Banned Books Week, too! Let your library know that you appreciate all they do to make sure you have access to information, books, and other materials. They are the original data centers.
Until next time, Happy Reading! :)
