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I found it interesting that the Holy Bible was only in the 52nd spot. As much as this book is hated in the world, I would think it would make it to the top spots. At least the top ten. The same for the Koran though strangely enough, the Koran was not on the list.

There were many of the old standards on the list. Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, 1984 by George Orwell, The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank. I was amazed that the Captain Underpants series was in the 2nd spot.

It tends to make me think about why certain books are banned or forbidden. Other than religious reasons I mean. So many books are banned due to religion it surprises me. Why deny anyone any information? If your faith is strong enough nothing will change it. If it can be changed by asking simple questions or being exposed to differing viewpoints than you didn’t have much faith in the first place.

Of course, another major reason to ban a book is sex. Sex is quite probably the most often quoted reason for a book being banned. George R. R. Martine once famously complained about running into trouble about writing sex scenes. His complaint was he would get in trouble for writing explicit sex scenes, but the truly horrible and violent scenes were never questioned.

Some would disagree. Many of those on the banned list have violence in their hearts but I agree, they weren’t placed on the list for violence. We seem to love our violence but look away when it involves sex. Or keep it hidden so no one will find out we secretly enjoy Fifty Shades of Grey (#9 on the banned books list).

I didn’t by the way. Fifty Shades was one of the few books I never finished. I simply didn’t like the story. I once heard someone say if Fifty Shades was set in a trailer park it would be an episode of Criminal Minds. I laughed so hard soda came out of my nose. 

I will give a detailed review of Fifty Shades another time. For now, let’s take a look at a few of those on the banned list. I started with the #1 book. The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

This book, which is a graphic novel by the way, shows the life of an American Indian teenager who grows up amidst poverty, alcoholism, violence, sexuality, etc. No wonder it is placed on the banned lists so often. It speaks volumes of truth as I see it. However, I have not read it and I should. I like such things. By the way, the author has many books published and one has been adapted into a movie. I have a feeling I will find this young man becoming a favorite writer of mine. I will let you know.

In the 11th spot is a book I found fascinating. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. A novel I would place on anyone’s required reading lists. A unique look into the insights of what life could be like in the harder sections of Afghanistan. In many ways it mimicked the way life was in the late 70’s in places like Baltimore, Detroit, Kansas City and Cleveland or anywhere along the rust belt of the United States. Read this book. However, don’t read it with politics or religion in mind. Put all that aside and read the book as is. You might find you enjoy it.

In the 9th spot is a series of books I have never heard of. A young adult series, which is why I have never heard of these books, titled Internet Girls. This series is based around several teenage girls as they deal with high school and sex, drugs, emotions, and partying. No wonder no one wants it around. Of course, teenage girls ate the books up with a spoon. Who could blame them? 

Here you have someone speaking candidly about what the lives of ordinary teen girls are all about. Which is why it was banned in so many places. Who wants to expose their pristine and virginal daughters, who remain so until they are married of course, to such trash as the truth? Now I must read it if for no other reason than to take a peek into the minds of girls I still don’t understand.

In the 46th spot is the Goosebump’s series. If you haven’t read any of these than you are missing out. Take the time and read them to your grandkids. You won’t be sorry.

I had a title on the list speak to me. In the 60th spot on the list was a book titled The Dirty Cowboy. Now I am a huge western fan. I adore western books and movies. So, of course, I wanted to see why this was banned. 

I honestly expected it to be an erotica book or an explicit romance novel or some type of murder/serial killer thriller. Imagine my surprise when I discovered The Dirty Cowboy was an award-winning children’s book about a cowboy who takes his annual bath. That’s right, I said annual! 

The book was banned for its illustrations because some feared that children exposed to nudity of any quantity would lead them to pornography. Curiosity leads young people to pornography. Not a children’s book! And besides, the offensive illustrations don’t come close to showing any more skin than these children would see at a “day on the beach” with their families.

My last book to recommend for you to look at on the banned books list is The Librarian of Basra. It too is designated as a children’s book and discusses the real-life story of Alia Muhammad Baker and her struggle to save the books in the library of Basra during the Iraq war. This incredibly brave woman managed to save thirty thousand books including a biography of Muhammad from somewhere around 1300 A.D.

Libraries around the world hold so many stories written from so many points of view. Often those outside the United States hold books from long before Christ died. Any time we can save a book it is wonderous. This woman saved 30,000 in the middle of a war! Quite a miracle.

I have not read this book. I will. I hope it tells a remarkable story in wondrous detail. I wonder why it was banned. Probably it wasn’t politically correct. Who knows? I don’t care. The story sounds incredible.

Take a look at the banned books list sometime. Choose a title which piques your interest or return to old favorites like Catcher in the Rye that always find their way onto the list. I guarantee reading something which upsets others often lets us see them in a different light. It always opens my eyes a little to other’s perspectives. A good thing. 

Open your own eyes to a different perspective and I guarantee you will find a story which touches your heart or challenges long held views. I know it will remove any ignorance we have about other cultures, peoples, or times.

I’m Ross, The Editor-in-Chief at the Pyrateheart Press and I’m out.