Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Banned Books Challenge 2016: Sign-Ups


I can hardly believe this will be my fourth year hosting the Banned Books Challenge! I was completely blown away by the number of participants in 2015 and am excited to continue the challenge for another year.

The idea is to read some books this year that people have tried to keep off the shelves. Here in the US, we are fortunate that the government does not legally ban books, but that has not stopped the challenges to school and library materials. (Bear in mind, I am not advocating for any sort of illegal activity here -- read at your own risk!)

This is a very low pressure challenge, so I'm starting the levels low -- but if you're feeling daring, try for one of the higher levels!

DATES: January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016

RULES: Any book that has been banned or challenged counts. Books can be any format, any length, and can overlap with other challenges. Graphic novels, children's books, picture books are all fine -- any book that has been banned or challenged works for this challenge.

WHERE CAN I FIND BOOK SUGGESTIONS? There isn't one specific list to work from, but there are many different resources you can check out for ideas:
  • The ALA's lists of frequently challenged books. There are multiple lists split up by author, year, decade, and a separate list for classics, so there are a lot of options from all different genres.
  • GoodReads has several listopia lists on the subject -- this is particularly helpful for identifying books you already have on your shelves if you are a user of the site.
  • If you learn about a book getting challenged in the news, on a book blog, around the web, or wherever else you get your bookish news, it's fair game. One book that made headlines in 2014 was The Miseducation of Cameron Post -- it doesn't need to make any of the big lists to count. And if you learn about a new incident, I'd love to hear about it!

HOW TO SIGN-UP: Write a post identifying which level you are aiming to complete and linking to this sign-up post. If you don't have a blog, just leave a comment below stating what level you are trying for. Listing the books you'd like to read for the year is optional. If you do make a list, you are welcome to change it at any time.

OPTIONS FOR TRACKING THE CHALLENGE:
  • Reviews are not required, but if you do choose to review your selections, you can link them up here, so we can read them! You can link to reviews on your blog, GoodReads, or any other similar site where you post reviews. Please link directly to your review, not to a homepage or profile page.
  • If you don't have a blog or don't wish to write reviews, you can share your thoughts and/or completed reading list in the comments of the Review Linky Page
  • Write a wrap-up post listing your completed books for the year. This can be done whether or not you post reviews throughout the year. If you choose to write a wrap-up post, you may link it up in the review linky as well.

LEVELSBelow are the levels you can choose from. Changing your mind is OK -- you can go up or down in level at any time. I said low-pressure, remember? I'm not the book police, I promise.

     Making Waves: 1-2 Challenged Books
     Trouble-Maker: 3-5 Challenged Books
     Rabble-Rouser: 6-9 Challenged Books
     Rebel: 10-14 Challenged Books
     Leader of a Revolution: 15+ Challenged Books

So link up below, grab a badge if you'd like, and get reading!


This Sign-Up Linky will remain open until Dec. 15, 2016.

42 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Woo hoo! Thanks for being the first participant :)

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  2. Since I epically failed at all of my challenges this year, I have decided to skip signing up for year long challenges in 2016 except for the one on goodreads. I just enjoy and do better at the week long or month long challenges that pop up throughout the year so I will just be focusing on those this time around.

    Good luck and happy hosting!

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    1. That is a good plan! I'm not even sure I'm going to sign up for my own challenge, lol

      I thought I was going to go cold turkey on the challenges this year since even my 5 for last year didn't go as I had hoped...but now I'm seeing a few that might change my mind. Regardless, I am being super selective and making sure anything I do sign up for 100% lines up with what I really want to focus on in the coming year.

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  3. Joined! I always mean to read more banned/challenged books.

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  4. I exceeded my goal in 2015, so I'm signing up again - can't wait to dive in to more banned books in 2016. There are so many classics that are on the ALA list alone - I"m sure to find a lot of good stuff again by doing this challenge! thanks for hosting again!

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    1. Oh, yes there are so many good books to choose from! Happy reading and thanks for joining again :)

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    2. I think I just accidentally signed up a second time - can you delete me? It won't let me delete my error. If not, I will just have to read twice as many books! LOL

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    3. No problem! All fixed :) Thanks for joining!

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  5. Let's start a revolution! I will read 15 or more banned books and at least half of them will be by female authors.

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    1. Woo hoo! And I love the focus on female authors. Good Luck and happy reading :)

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  6. So excited to participate again this year! I met last years by doing the first level but I'm raising my goal this year to Rabble Rouser!

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    1. It's so exciting to have repeat participants and upping our goals!

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  7. I'm aiming for Making Waves and will probably move up! I included my Goodreads shelf link above, but I will also be participating on Instagram. :)

    - Cassandra @ Wickedly Delicious Tales

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    1. Awesome! I haven't tried Instagram for bookish things myself, but it seems a great way to participate :)

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  8. I'm very excited to join this challenge. Looking to be a REBEL in 2016.

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  9. I'm excited for this challenge, it's my first time participating. I'm going all in for "Leader of the Revolution" :)

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    1. So glad you found the challenge! Good luck and happy reading :)

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  10. This is my first year participating. I'm excited.

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  11. I'm so glad I managed to stumble on this while looking for another reading challenge to commit to this year. So exciting! I will definitely be shooting for the Leader of a Revolution (oh so ambitious)... we'll see how that one goes.

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    1. I love the ambition! Thanks for joining and have fun :)

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  12. I failed miserably at this challenge last year but I'm trying again. I'll sign up as a trouble-maker. Thanks for hosting!

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    Replies
    1. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again, right? Glad you're giving it another go! And don't forget that there are a lot of books that count for this challenge that you might find surprising -- my first two for the year have been kids picture books!

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  13. I am so excited to join! I've been looking forward since last year, the idea is amazing!

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  14. do the books have to be started in 2016 or can I count anything I still have in progress? :)

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    1. As long as you finish it in 2016, you're set!

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    2. Great, I signed up as Serpent :)
      Whoa, were The Canterbury Tales banned? :OOO
      It's one of the books I'm currently reading, though it's been slow so far. I'm also reading The Color Purple and The Compromise by Dovlatov (the latter wasn't allowed in the USSR), and some more books I plan to read this or next year are To Kill a Mockingbird, Anne Frank's Diary and Lolita.

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    3. According to Wikipedia, it was at one point!

      Thanks for joining and happy reading! Enjoy your book choices -- it seems you have plenty to work with :)

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  15. Thanks for providing the list of banned books. It makes it easier to pic and choose books.

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  16. Looking forward to trying this out!

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  17. I'm super late to the game, but I did this challenge last year, and really enjoyed it! I decided to participate again, since I've already read quite a few banned books this year.

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    Replies
    1. Better late than never! Thanks for joining again :)

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  18. I'm going for the trouble maker level! But I'll probably change to a higher level later

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  19. Hi, I'm done now.
    http://jannghi.blogspot.com/2015/12/banned-books-challenge-2016.html

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I'd love to hear what you think :)