Banned books promote thoughtful dialogue

As Banned Books Week quickly approaches, I could not help but revisit some of my favorite banned novels. Though each book is unique, all address complex topics about humanity and encourage thoughtful introspection. I encourage you to check out some of the books on this list and consider attending some of the events hosted by the CSB+SJU libraries on Oct. 1-7 celebrating individuals’ right to read.

**The Hate U Give**

Angie Thomas’ debut novel, “The Hate U Give,” leaves readers captivated with each turn of the page. I could not put it down, finishing it in just under three hours. Tasked with juggling the differences between her life at home and her life at school, 16-year-old Starr struggles to seek justice after the murder of her close friend Khalil. Thomas calls upon the messages of the Black Lives Matter movement to inform her writing, crafting a novel that is equal parts captivating and devastating.

**The Kite Runner**

I first read Khaled Hosseini’s novel “The Kite Runner” in my senior year of high school, and it continues to be one of the most impactful books I have read to date. Set in 1970s Afghanistan, the story follows Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman, as he learns to navigate love, loss, friendship and growing up. This novel is horribly sad; however, its impact resonates well beyond the confines of the pages. Hosseini’s writing style is both simple and straightforward, making this the perfect read for book lovers and foes alike.

**The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian**

Though technically considered a young adult novel, people young and old can benefit from reading Sherman Alexie’s thoughtfully funny and prolific writing style. The book follows Arnold Spirit Jr., a young boy navigating adolescence on the Spokane Reservation. Born with hydrocephalus to two alcoholic parents and continually bullied on the reservation, Junior seeks to escape the life he was born with and chase his dreams off the reservation. In only 230 pages, Alexie manages to craft a narrative that is equal parts harrowing, hilarious, angsty and relatable.

**I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings**

This autobiography follows the life of Maya Angelou as she navigates adolescence in the racially divided American South. Abandoned by her parents at a young age, Maya and her older brother, Bailey, are forced to live with their grandmother in rural Arkansas, until their father unexpectedly returns and sends the children to live with their mother in St. Louis. Angelou’s beautifully written novel examines the impact of trauma and the confidence gained from overcoming adversity.

**1984**

George Orwell’s dystopian novel examines a society under 24/7 political surveillance. Living in the fictional Oceania, Winston Smith is forced to grapple with the government’s brutal totalitarian leadership. Throughout the novel, Orwell addresses themes of censorship, propaganda, classism and resistance in examining Winston’s day-to-day life. This novel, though grim, enables readers to thoughtfully reflect on political oppression and the implications it continues to have in the present day.