Please join MML and the American Library Association (ALA) in raising attention to the timeless problem of censorship via book banning and its devastating impact on intellectual freedom. Individuals have the right to choose what reading material they wish to consume and every October we celebrate this fundamental democratic right.
Book bans disproportionately target marginalized and underrepresented voices — especially works by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors.
Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the literature they read, whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or memoir.
To honor Banned Books Week this year, consider reading one of the following titles. (Thanks to ALA we have a list of the top 10 banned/challenged books during the calendar year, 2024):
Need more inspiration?
Check out this article highlighting 26 books that have been banned somewhere in the U.S. — and not always for the reasons you’d expect.
We actually used this list last year while selecting titles for our Fall 2024 Readers’ Circle (MML’s book club). Our theme was “Banned Books,” and we were curious: Which challenged titles might surprise us the most?
One that stood out? Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto, which was banned in Orange County, Florida for “sexual content” — even though the book contains far more violence than anything remotely explicit when it comes to depictions of sex.
It made us stop and ask: What does it really mean when a book is banned?
Want to Take Action?
Learn more about how to fight censorship and protect access to diverse books with these resources:
- The Freedom to Read Foundation
- Unite Against Book Bans (check out their Banned Book “Resumes”)
- PEN America’s Book Ban ActionToolkit
If you want to dig even deeper into this phenomenon, check out the following literary podcasts that tackle book banning. Great for a listen if you’re in between audiobooks and are looking for something to hold your attention during your morning/afternoon commute.
PODCAST ROUNDUP: Banned Books & Censorship
Banned Camp: The Comedy Banned Book Podcast
2023–present | Weekly | ~30 mins/ep
This podcast takes a satirical approach, using humor to explore banned books and the reasons behind their censorship. While the tone may be irreverent, the hosts (and their fact-checking robot) are passionate about literary access and intellectual freedom.
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Last Season (S7): Slaughterhouse-Five
- Ep. 1: “Dresden’s ‘Duty Dance’ Begins” (11/5/24 – 23 mins)
- Ep. 2: “No Hollywood Heroes Allowed” (11/7/24 – 29 mins)
- Ep. 3: “Billy Pilgrim Comes Unstuck in Time” (11/14/24 – 26 mins)
2021–2022 | Weekly | 10 total episodes
Produced by the Banned Books Museum in Estonia, this now-inactive podcast offers a global view of literary censorship. Museum Director Joseph Dunnigan interviews authors, activists, and librarians affected by free speech issues.
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Highlights:
- Wangpo Tethong on Tibet (7/29/22 – 58 mins)
- Mohammed Almahfali on Arabic censorship (7/25/21 – 1h 14m)
- Ulrika Ahlberg & Jude Dibia on Free Speech Libraries (5/23/21 – 43 mins)
2022–present | Biweekly | Accessible transcripts available
Run by 3 school librarians/teachers, this podcast covers book bans affecting YA (young adult/teen) literature, often with a focus on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices. Episodes blend author interviews, ALA insights, and close readings of challenged books.
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Notable Episodes:
- Bonus: “Books About Banned Books” (9/26/24 – 27 mins)
- ALA President Emily Drabinski (1/2/24 – 57 mins)
- Gender Queer Pt. 1: Why It’s Banned (10/7/22 – 36 mins)
- Gender Queer Pt. 2: Close Reading (11/1/22 – 1h 1m)
2023–2024 | Weekly | MSNBC + YouTube (some content requires subscription, more current content, from 2025, available on this Youtube playlist)
Hosted by MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, this podcast fuses journalism with literary activism. Each episode features an author discussing censorship, the cultural impact, and the role of literature as resistance.
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Featured Episodes:
- S2, Ep. 2: “The Power of Dystopian Literature” (9/12/24 – 45 mins)
- S1, Ep. 4: “School Shootings & Literature” (9/7/23 – 24 mins)
- S1, Ep. 1: “LGBTQ+ Coming of Age Stories” (8/24/23 – 37 mins)
(Love books and podcasts? Stay tuned — more blog posts are on the way from your podcast-obsessed librarian, featuring a curated guide to the best bookish podcasts out there!)
Say No to Censorship
Thanks for standing up for the freedom to read during Banned Books Week. Every time you pick up a challenged book, you’re sending a message: Stories matter. Representation matters. And censorship has no place in our libraries or our communities.
