Read Banned Books!

We created our ‘I Read Banned Books’ enamel pin badge as an amusing slightly tongue-in-cheek take on what can actually be a very serious, controversial and consequential topic - that of banned literature and censored texts around the world. 

Throughout history, certain books have been banned or censored for political reasons, for religious, societal, or even prejudicial reasons and sometimes even due to their controversial or sensitive content. In America and the UK, many books have been banned or censored for various reasons - some of which are still opaque and contentious.  

Each October, ‘Banned Books Week’ in the US celebrates critically acclaimed and widely loved books that are challenged or banned outright in schools and states across the country. Around the world, various texts have been challenged and created controversy - yet are still widely loved by their readers. Below are five such examples of banned books: 

1. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was banned in Ireland in 1932, just one year after its publication. The reason for the ban was because the Irish government believed that the book promoted promiscuous sexuality and criticized organized religion, which was against the Catholic Church's teachings. The ban was lifted in 1967, but the book continued to face challenges and censorship attempts in other countries over the years.
2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou was banned in the United States for its frank portrayal of sexuality, violence, and racism. The book was seen as controversial and inappropriate for younger readers, and was often challenged by parents and educators who felt that its themes and language were too mature for its intended audience. However, the book has been praised for its powerful and honest portrayal of African American life, and its role in promoting diversity, tolerance, and social justice.
3. Animal Farm by George Orwell was banned in the Soviet Union and other communist countries because it criticized and satirized the Soviet system and the authoritarian regime of Joseph Stalin. The book was seen as a threat to the ideology and propaganda of communism, and was therefore banned to prevent its spread and influence.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was banned in the United States for a variety of reasons, including its use of profanity, racial slurs, and sexual content. It was also criticized for promoting a liberal agenda and challenging the traditional values of the American South. However, the book has also been praised for its powerful portrayal of racism and injustice, and its role in promoting civil rights and racial equality.
5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was banned in the United Arab Emirates in 1987, due to its controversial content, including its portrayal of God and religion, as well as its depiction of human nature and the dangers of science and technology. The book was also criticized for its graphic violence and sexual content, which was considered inappropriate for public consumption.

We hope you may choose to show your support for the cause of championing such banned books by wearing our ‘I Read Banned Books’ pin badge - that works great as a present or gift for a loved one. It is also a superb gift to give to friends, partners, family members - or any book lover or bookish fan for any occasion. Which banned book do you like to read? 

Note from the Banned Books Week official page: Banned Books Week is the annual celebration of the freedom to read. The event is sponsored by a coalition of organizations dedicated to free expression, including American Booksellers for Free Expression, American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Amnesty International USA, Association of University Presses, Authors Guild, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Freedom to Read Foundation, GLAAD, Index on Censorship, National Book Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Council of Teachers of English, PEN America, People For the American Way Foundation, PFLAG, and Project Censored. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

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