Trigger warning: brief discussion of sexual abuse and suicide.

Next week, Oct. 5 through 11, is Banned Books Week. For the uninitiated, a book is challenged when a concern is brought up by an entity—most often pressure groups or administration, not individuals—in an effort to get the title removed. When a book is restricted or entirely removed, it is banned. Banned Books Week draws attention to this issue and pushes back against pressure groups. Presented by the American Library Association (ALA) and various partner organizations, the theme this year is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” Inspired by George Orwell’s novel “1984,” this year, the ALA is encouraging you to go against censorship and read without barriers. To get you reading for your rights, here are some popular banned books from the past few years, with a focus on identities that are often censored. Keep in mind, the reasons for challenges are often inaccurate or overblown; often the presence of any sexual content or LGBTQIA+ narratives are deemed sexually explicit. You be the judge. Do not let anyone tell you what you cannot read, but please allow me to give you a sample of what you could.

Favorites list: While I suggest taking any banned books list as a recommendation list, this is my short list.

“The Magic Fish” by Trung Le Nguyen

Reason for challenge: may make students feel discomfort, contain pornographic material or Critical Race Theory (CRT).

A young boy and his mother navigate language barriers, assimilation and religious pressure through their mutual love of fairytales. Using the American and Vietnamese versions of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid—all of which are illustrated gorgeously—the pair can finally communicate with each other. “The Magic Fish” is a heartwrenchingly beautiful story and one of, if not, the best graphic novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

“Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo

Reason for challenge: sexually explicit and LGBTQIA+ content.

Historical fiction focusing on what it meant to be queer and Chinese American in 1950s California. It is a story about finding yourself through community, love, and in some ways, literature. If you see yourself in Lily, a person desperately searching for representation and understanding, pick up “Last Night at the Telegraph Club.”

“Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” by Alison Bechdel

Reason for challenge: LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, graphic sexual violence and anti-religious sentiment.

A favorite of challenge groups, “Fun Home” is a graphical memoir that contains all the reasons for banning; However, these are handled with a lot of grace. Bechdel addresses the very heavy topic of coming into her identity as a lesbian in the wake of her closeted father’s suicide as any good comedian would, with respect and somber jokes. It is a beautiful reflection and a short, but impactful read.

“The Perks of Being A Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

Reason for challenge: sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, sexual abuse, drug use and profanity.

An epistolary novel that became the hit coming-of-age movie, this is a story about entering adolescence while exploring mental health, identity and joy. Through the letters to an unnamed friend, the reader has an intimate feel, truly feeling all the hardship and love Charlie feels. It is at times a hard read, but nothing compares to the experience. Consistently ranked high on banned book statistics and a consistently worthwhile story to read.

“Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi

Reason for challenge: graphic language/illustrations and “objectionable” content.

Another graphical memoir, “Persepolis” tells Satrapi’s experience growing up through the Iranian Revolution then moving abroad in young adulthood. It is a masterful exploration about defining yourself while living through history, caught between familial identity as well as religious and societal pressures. The art in this book is also really stunning, the simplistic but bold black and white style packs a punch.

“Ace of Spades” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Reason for challenge: LGBTQIA+ content and CRT.

This thriller about social eugenics, institutionalized racism and class is from the perspective of two Black teenagers attending a prestigious private school. It manages to gracefully navigate heavy topics in an informative and entertaining manner. This book will grab your attention and keep it. It is 470 pages and can be read in one sitting.

“A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller

Reason for challenge: LGBTQIA+ content and the assertion it was “designed to pollute the morals of its readers.”

To end on a fun note, this children’s book tells the story of the fictional life of Marlon Bundo, Mike Pence’s rabbit, as he marries his rabbit boyfriend. While definitely below every college student’s reading level, it is worth the ten minute read to poke fun at censorship. Queer people are everywhere. It is a fool’s errand to erase their identities.

To-read list: These books have had buzz online and in rankings of banned books.

“Looking for Alaska” by John Green

Reason for challenge: sexually explicit, graphic language and LGBTQIA+ content.

“Beloved” by Toni Morrison

Reason for challenge: CRT, sexual abuse, graphic violence.

“All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson

Reason for challenge: LGBTQIA+ content and sexually explicit.

“Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe

Reason for challenge: LGBTQIA+ content and sexually explicit.

“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erica Sanchez

Reason for challenge: discussions of “race and sexuality.”

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Reason for challenge: Profanity, sexually explicit, religious view point.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. The books these bans target range very widely. “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier shows up as frequently as “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. Odds are your favorite book has been challenged. Book bans are not reasonable, they are an effort to control the media and reduce free speech. No one should have the right to tell you what to read. For example, I hate “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews to an unreasonable extent. This book is up there with “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” in terms of ban frequency for generally the same reasons. You, as a free person, have the right to access that book and pass your own judgement.

There is still hope. While challenges for books remain frequent, according to the ALA, book ban instances are down in 2024 from 2023. That means the people who lobby libraries and school districts to remove books are not succeeding. However, they are staying loud, so you need to be too. Read. I do not care what you read, I just hope you read something. May it be a paperback, hardcover, library book, second hand copy, e-book, gift from a friend or some nice edition you saved up to buy for yourself, books are really special; don’t let anyone take them from you.