Banned Books Week Hop

Welcome to this stop of the Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop, hosted by I am a reader, not a writer and I Read Banned Books. A little bit of information about Banned Books Week:

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

To find out more, please visit the ALA website.



My thoughts on banned books (taken from a post I made about this last year):

Confession time: I read banned books.

It is inconceivable to me how, in this day and age, books are challenged and banned, removed from schools and bookshelves, simply because the material is "unpleasant" or "inappropriate." And this opinion is rarely held by the majority; it is often an individual or small group that speaks out against a book.

Last time I checked, we're not all the same.

Books do not have to appeal to everyone; but neither should they be restricted because of the opinions of a few. I just finished a book that I know many people won't read because of its subject material. But does that mean it wasn't a good book, or that others, myself included, shouldn't read it either? Of course not! To each his own, I say. If you don't like a book or its subject material, by all means don't read it; but know that that book may speak to someone else, may help and influence him or her in a positive way, may be the book that makes the difference.

Yes, there are books that might not be suited to children. Yes, there are books that may offend someone. Yes, there are books that are controversial and spark debates. But that is the beauty of books! The ideas and messages are there for the people who need them, when they need them. Books are powerful. Embrace them!

My real confession: I have not read enough banned books.



~GIVEAWAY~

I have three great books to give away for this hop. They are:






Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

One winner will receive Speak and Wintergirls, and one winner will receive The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

The contest is open to US residents only. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

Must be a GFC follower to enter.

This contest will close on Friday, October 1 at midnight CST.





Don't forget to visit the many other stops on this hop!