Monday, December 31, 2012

2013 Banned Books Challenge (Hosted by Me!)

photo credit: Love Of Books by George Hodan

I have to admit I was hoping to find a Banned Books Reading Challenge hosted somewhere on the blogosphere, but I haven't been able to find a current one. This might end up being a crazy idea, but I've decided to host one myself instead! Since Banned Books Week 2012, I have been trying to make an effort to read more banned and challenged books, particularly classics, but want to make a more organized and formal effort this year leading up to Banned Books Week 2013. If anyone else wants to join in, I would be absolutely thrilled!

DATEThe challenge will run from January 1, 2013 through the first day of Banned Books Week 2013 (still TBD) -- the rest of the week will be used to wrap-up the challenge.

RULES: The only rules are that books read for this challenge must appear on one of the ALA's lists of frequently challenged books -- there are multiple lists split up by author, year, decade, & a separate list for Banned & Challenged Classics, so there should be plenty of options to choose from.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Write a post, as long or short as you like, about your participation in this challenge and linking to this post. If you don't have a blog, you can leave a comment here instead. I'd love for everyone to review the books they read, but it's not required. Overlap with other challenges is totally OK. Sometime during Banned Books Week 2013 (date TBD) link-up a wrap-up post about how you did with the challenge.

Update: For each book you read for the challenge, you can also link-up your reviews here, so we can read them!

2nd Update: The dates for Banned Books Week 2013 will be September 22-28. The challenge officially ends on the first day of Banned Books Week, but you can finish linking up your reviews and/or wrap-up posts throughout the week.

Here are the levels you can choose from (and if you decide to change at any point, that's totally OK too!):

Making Waves: 5 Challenged Books
Trouble-Maker: 10 Challenged Books
Rebel: 15 Challenged Books
Insurgent: 20 Challenged Books
Leader of a Revolution: 25 Challenged Books

So link up below, grab a button from my sidebar, and get reading!

23 comments:

  1. This would be a good resolution for 2013... I might try.

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    1. Thanks so much for joining Darlene! Enjoy the books you choose and I look forward to reading your reviews :)

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  3. I need to check my list to see if I have any on there. I'm pretty sure Bradbury's there. What else? Don't think I'll be leading any revolution but I might be able to make a teeny tiny little wave.

    A friend of mine's book actually made a banned book list; she was so surprised. We all told her to be thankful. The annual lists keep her book's title alive. :)

    Will post this around for you, too.

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    1. Bradbury is definitely on the list along with a lot of other classics. It seems if it's assigned in school, there's a greater likelihood someone will object to it!

      If you hear or read about any other books that have been banned or challenged that aren't on one of the ALA's lists, feel free to include them! I'd love to learn about more titles that have been challenged and I'm sure not everything has been reported to the ALA -- I just figured those lists were a good starting point!

      And thanks so much for helping spread the word about this challenge! I'm such a newbie at this, but I really love this topic & can't wait to check out the books people read.

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  4. The Lord of the Rings is on the ALA banned or challenged list? Are you kidding me? Well, since the trilogy is on my reread list this year, I guess that makes a total of 5 and I'm gonna make me some waves. :)

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    1. I took a look at your Classics Club list and there are definitely some others on there that have been challenged - 1984, Lolita, As I Lay Dying, and Brideshead Revisited for sure, as well as Fahrenheit 451 & Lord of the Rings. Hard to believe, I know!

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  5. So excited for this challenge, I have a bunch of books on these lists to read. I'm going to try for the making waves level and hopefully bump up through the year.

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    1. Thanks for joining the challenge Rebecca! I'm looking forward to seeing which books you choose to read :)

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  6. Something went wrong with the first linkup...thee second one is correct. I am really excited about this challenge and would love to blog about it too. In the meantime, i wrote this for banned books week last year:
    Http://icyfar582.blogspot.com/2012/10/octpowrimo-day-4-litany-for-banned.html

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    1. Thanks for joining Meg - I can't wait to read about the books you read! I'll delete the link with the error, and if you do write a post specifically about this challenge, just leave me a comment and I'll update your link! Also, don't forget if you review any books for the challenge on your blog, you can add a link for each one here. Happy reading!

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  7. Love this idea! I wrote all about my 2013 challenges, including this one, here. I can't wait to start; there's so many banned books, and so little time!

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    1. Thanks for joining! I can't wait to read about the books you choose :)

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  8. Great idea for a challenge! Thanks for hosting!

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    1. Welcome to the challenge Jen! I'm looking forward to seeing which books you choose :)

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    1. Woo hoo! 10 participants in my first ever hosted challenge is quite exciting :)

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  10. A wee bit tardy but I'm in. Added my sign up page on books and censorship and the challenge to our Mr. Linky.

    So Christine, that gives you 11 now. :) Whoo Hooo!
    Have you any banned books on your shelf today?,

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    1. I would love for you to join Riv if you think you can fit it in -- the good thing is a lot of classics have been banned or challenged!

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  12. Thanks for hosting - will be fun!

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I'd love to hear what you think :)