Banned Books Archives - PEN IN HER HAND

Book Banning and Burning…it’s back!

November 29, 2021 Deb Comments 0 Comment

Book banning Book burning. The Nazis did it in the 1930’s. The Red Guard did it during the Cultural Revolution. Want to know when the earliest recorded state book burning occurred? China in 213 BCE. Yep, that long ago. Emperor Qin Shi Huang burned books he deemed uncomplimentary to his regime. And since then, many countries, states, and provinces have joined in book banning and book burning. Journalist Daniel Schwartz details this history in his article, “The Books Have Been…

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Banned Books Week Means Read!

September 23, 2014 Deb Comments 22 comments

Banned Books Week 2014 has arrived! It’s here again! The time has come to celebrate Banned Books Week, so head on over to the American Library Association and choose a book from the list of banned books. Yes, even you can be subversive! If you want to read a banned ghost novel (of course you do), here are three that I’ve reviewed and recommend: Beloved by Toni Morrison. (Yes, a Pulitzer Prize winner can be banned.) The Lovely Bones by…

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In Honor of Banned Books Week September 22: Let’s Ban Together!

September 22, 2013 Deb Comments 2 comments

Celebrate Banned Books Week. I’m going to shock you. This year I am in favor of book banning. Yes, I want to ban. I know, I know, you were expecting my usual response to Banned Books Week: a review of a banned ghost novel and an exhortation to be subversive and read something banned. In the past I extolled the virtues of Beloved, The Lovely Bones, and The Headless Cupid. All banned books. But today, I want to jump on the…

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Ghost Novel Review In Honor of Banned Book Week: The Lovely Bones

October 2, 2012 Deb Comments 13 comments

Welcome to Banned Book Week 2012! I love the irony inherent in turning a dusty, fusty institution on its head, don’t you? Here at Pen in her Hand, we’ve already reviewed two banned ghost books. They are Beloved and The Headless Cupid. Check them out. I liked them both, and I believe Beloved is a true tour de force. Today, we’re going to discuss one more banned ghost novel, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. A true ghost book, the…

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Ghost Novel Review in Honor of Banned Book Week

September 26, 2011 Deb Comments 0 Comment

Read a banned book! Celebrate your subversive inner self! I came across an interesting post at Insatiable Booksluts. Did you know this is banned book week? This year it takes place from September 24th to October 1st. The American Library Association sponsors this week to promote awareness of our right to free speech and free (as in unhindered) reading. Think about the literary censorship and mind control of the Nazis and the Cultural Revolution and our very own McCarthy. In fiction,…

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