Banned Book Club
Banning books is one of the most common forms of censorship today. Books are most commonly "banned" for being considered "sexually explicit," containing "offensive language," or "unsuited to any age group."​
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In an effort to combat censorship, we are starting a banned book club. Join us in reading these "controversial" books and discussing what we learn, think, and enjoy about them.​
We will have excerpts prepared in advance available to read at the event, so feel free to come and discuss with us even if you have not read/finished the book.
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We would love to have you here with us!
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Many of these books will have heavy and distressing themes, including but not limited to; sexual abuse, substance abuse, racism, domestic violence, and homophobia.
Please be aware of potential triggers and take care of yourself. Your mental health is important.
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Current Read
The story takes place in an imagined future. The current year is uncertain, but believed to be 1984. Much of the world is in perpetual war. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, has become a province of the totalitarian superstate Oceania, which is led by Big Brother, a dictatorial leader supported by an intense cult of personality manufactured by the Party's Thought Police. The Party engages in omnipresent government surveillance and, through the Ministry of Truth, historical negationism and constant propaganda to persecute individuality and independent thinking. *
"1984" by George Orwell has been banned or challenged in various places due to its critical portrayal of totalitarian governments, its exploration of themes like censorship and manipulation of information, and its potential to be seen as subversive to established political systems, often causing discomfort among authorities who might interpret it as a direct attack on their regime; this includes concerns about its political and social themes, as well as sometimes, sexual content. *
Discussion on 1/16/25 @ 7pm
Past Reads
"To Kill a Mockingbird"
Harper Lee
Banned for explicit depictions of racism, discussions of sexuality and rape, and "making audiences uncomfortable." *
"The Bluest Eye"
Toni Morrison
Banned for depictions of racism, being sexually explicit, having "homosexual overtones", and being "unsuitable for any age group." *
"A Handmaid's Tale"
Margaret Thatcher
Banned for explicit depiction of sexual content, discussions about feminism and religious extremism, profanity, and "anti-Christian" themes. *
"Of Mice and Men"
John Steinbeck
Banned for racial language, vulgarity, "defamatory language of women and the disabled", and "dark and depressing themes." *
"The Catcher in the Rye"
J.D. Salinger
Banned for excess vulgar language, sexual scenes, things concerning moral issues, excessive violence, the occult and communism. *