Earlier in the year, I joined a book group and shortly after joining someone asked if I like bonfires. I grew up camping and roasting marshmallows over a fire so I said as much. This person responded back with ‘great’ and a link to a website. I clicked on the link and it led me to an event invitation for a book burning. SAY WHAT?!?! Maybe I was naïve in not knowing that ‘bonfire’ really doesn’t mean innocent marshmallow roasting? Regardless, I was shocked! Never in my life have I been approached and asked to burn books! Once I picked my jaw off the floor I responded with something along the lines of ‘It seems I have misunderstood the term bonfire. I do not believe in burning books no matter the content’.
I could go on forever on my opinions but I will keep it short and simple. I understand that not all books are for everyone. I think that a parent has the right to restrict what their child reads, but I do not believe in banning books beyond that level. I don’t think one person or a group of people should be able to decide what others can and cannot read.
Why am I telling you this? Well Saturday is the beginning of the Banned Book Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & I Read Banned Books. For the occasion I read and reviewed Scars by Cheryl Rainfield (see my review here). I will also be giving away a copy of Scars so check back on Saturday for the hop/giveaway!
I would love to hear your opinions on banned books and/or book burning!
Hahahahaha WOW! I can't even believe that! I feel guilty ever throwing away books even if they are damaged and nasty (which is not too often). I just stand there holding them almost afraid to put them in the garbage for fear that something terrible will happen to me!
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine burning perfectly good books, that's like... disturbing! Not to mention so - 100 yrs ago!
The person claimed that the book had pornographic content, but seriously, should we ban every educational book regarding your body? How about every book with a smokin sex scene? Heck, why don't we just burn entire genres while we're at it!? **words dripping with sarcasm**
ReplyDelete