Freedom To Read Challenge For 2009 « Freedom To Read Challenge « Challenges

Freedom To Read Challenge For 2009

Posted on October 1st, 2009 jean 9 comments

So, I have read 35 books (or at least recall reading 35) that have been challenged or banned. So what? The over-achiever in me wants to raise that number. Plus, reading those lists, it reminded me of some books I want to read. Therefore, I have issued a challenge to myself. I will read 5 banned or challenged books over the next year. (Why a year?–because my ‘to be read’ stack is already toppling at 30+ books and silly me, now belong to 3 book clubs. (I do encourage them to choose books that I have in my ‘to be read’ stack, but you can only do that so much before you become the annoying, pushy gal in the group. Or at least, become the annoying, pushy gal for other reasons….)

Without further ado, here are the 5 banned/challenged books I will read over the next year, with a check-in during Freedom to Read Week (Canadian version of Banned Book Week) in February:

The Giver (Lois Lowry) Reason for choosing: Was a ratty, popular book in the library I used to work in. I’m curious.

The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck) Reason for choosing: I already have a head start with all the background research I did on the film for a film studies project years ago. I like knowing the social and political history of a book’s time period. And I also like Steinbeck.

Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov) Reason for choosing: I have actually been waiting to read a book called Reading Lolita in Tehran because I haven’t read Lolita yet.

Lord of the Flies (William Golding) Reason for choosing: It is surprising nobody made me read it in school, and since I don’t want to be the only person on the planet who hasn’t read this classic, I’d better get moving.

A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle) Reason for choosing: I’ve heard lots about it, and have even had it recommended, but have never picked it up. Yet.

Want to read a few challenged/banned books too? Join me! Your mind will never be the same. Mwa-ha-ha.
Freedom to Read Challenge A Wrinkle in Time, banned book week, banned book week challenge, banned books, challenged books, Freedom to Read, Lolita, Lord of the Flies, reading banned books, The Giver, The Graps of Wrath
9 responses to “Freedom To Read Challenge For 2009”
- Jemi Fraser October 1st, 2009 at 14:49
  
  Good choices, Jean!! I have read The Giver to a few classes over the years. I plan on doing it again this year. It’s a real thinking book – especially for kids. Great concepts in it.
  
  I also enjoyed Wrinkle in Time. It’s a fun romp through some pretty intriguing ideas. Good characters.
  
  Lord of the Flies was another of my faves in high school. Golding has such great insights into people and their baser instincts. Powerful.
  
  I read Grapes in university, but don’t remember much – it didn’t make much of an impact on me for some reason. Haven’t done Lolita either.
  
  Now, I’m off to check those lists and see which book I should pick up next
- jean October 1st, 2009 at 15:46
  
  Thanks. I think they are 5 commonly read titles. Or at least 4 of them are. I can’t wait to hear which one you choose.
- Yvonne Osborne October 1st, 2009 at 20:41
  
  Hi Jean,
  I’m about halfway through The Giver and liking it very much!
- TK Richardson October 1st, 2009 at 21:18
  
  Hi Jean,
  I like your choices. I think I’ll pick a few from the list and read over the next year, too. Tell me what you think of Grapes when you’re done.
- jean October 2nd, 2009 at 09:40
  
  I’ve heard good things about The Giver, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying it. Maybe I’ll have to make that my first read.
- jean October 2nd, 2009 at 09:40
  
  I’m a bit of a Steinbeck fan, so I may be biased, but I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
  
  I’ll be curious to hear what you choose to read.
- jean October 2nd, 2009 at 09:41
  
  I forgot to ask, Yvonne, are you reading The Giver because of Banned Book Week, or for other reasons?
- Yvonne Osborne October 12th, 2009 at 07:46
  
  I finished THE GIVER. To answer above question, it was brought to my attention because of Banned Books Week and since I already had it, I decided to read it. (Do you ever go through your bookcase and find a treasure you didn’t know you had?) Anyway…it was good and very thought provoking. The ending left me wanting a discussion, so let me know when you’ve finished it, Jean. Or any of you other readers out there.
- jean October 12th, 2009 at 09:25
  
  Awesome. I can’t wait to read it. I’ll make it the first one on my list. I’ll let you know when I’ve got it read.
  Jean
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I am an aspiring fiction writer (children's, women's and commercial) and a represented nonfiction writer. I am also a member, critiquer and site moderator over on AgentQueryConnect.com. Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to jump in the conversation and leave your thoughts in the comment section.

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