What truth is hidden in those books, in some mere words, that triggers the authorities and pushes them to force an indefinite ban on such books? Did you know PIA’s research shows that the general non-fiction genre accounts for approximately 25% of all global book bans? Isn’t that shocking and surprising at the same time?
Well, for us bookaholics, every book conspiracy gives us an adrenaline rush and a new case to solve. We might not be able to go back in time and revert all these book bans, but we can certainly try to understand why books are being challenged globally. So, in the following sections, we will talk about all the biggest reasons behind book bans!
Biggest Book Bans of All Time
Over the years, several popular books have been banned and challenged by various activists for one or another reason. Here are some of the most popular books that have been challenged in the past ten years -
- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe; Reason: LGBTQIA+, s*xually explicit content
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson; Reason: LGBTQIA+, s*xually explicit content
- This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson; Reason: LGBTQIA+, s*xually explicit content, s*x education
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky; Reason: LGBTQIA+, s*xually explicit content, r@pe, dr*gs, profanity
- Flamer by Mike Curato; Reason: LGBTQIA+, s*xually explicit content
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison; Reason: S*xually explicit content, r@pe, incest, EDI content
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Profanity; Reason: S*xually explicit content
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins LGBTQIA+; Reason: s*xually explicit content, r@pe, dr*gs
- Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan; Reason: LGBTQIA+, s*xually explicit content, s*x education
- Sold by Patricia McCormick; Reason:S*xually explicit content, r@pe
The biggest reason why books are banned, as evident from the data above, is s*xually explicit content, mention of LGBTQIA+, and other s*xual themes, as they are considered taboo by many authorities, Government bodies, and different countries for certain age groups. All 10 of the most challenged books have some s*xual themes in common, such as abuse, r@pe, explicit content, and other themes like LGBTQIA+. These objections or challenges often come from authorities, individuals, or groups who oppose the representation of LGBTQ+ identities and fear that these books may promote or generalize these orientations. LGBTQIA+ is a highly sensitive topic and has garnered debates about the rights of individuals across diverse perspectives.
Other common reasons behind book bans also include mentions of dr*g and alcohol abuse, use of offensive language, religious and political viewpoints, violence, racial issues, etc. The biggest concern behind banning books with these topics is the idea that they may promote experimentation or convey a message that these topics are acceptable in society.
Wrapping Up
The biggest motivation behind book challenges often comes from a strong desire to shield young readers from such sensitive topics that we discussed above. Most of these topics are deemed age-inappropriate and harmful for young minds and may instill a sense of fear in them. However, with time, as they grow, they should have the opportunity to read these books as they are in the right mind to make informed decisions for themselves.