Why we should celebrate Banned Books Week

This week is Banned Books Week, and I'm here to tell you why you should celebrate it.

One of the skills children learn early in their lives is to read. Parents tell them bedtime stories; teachers read them books in class; and once they're capable enough to read on their own, children can pick their own books to read.

But reading isn't only applied to books. We have to know how to read signs, letters, text messages, and so much more in every day life.

It is an essential skill and it carries so many benefits, not only for adults but for children too. However, not only have there been conversations recently about altering books, such as those by Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton, but books have continued to be banned across the world.

And in the United States, this week (September 22nd to September 28th) is Banned Books Week.

Banned Books Week is an initiative that was first established in 1982. It was founded as a way to respond to the many challenges against books. The goal of the week is to "highlight the value of free and open access to information and bring together the entire book community".

As an avid reader, writer and publishing hopeful, this week resonates with me because I love being able to read a plethora of books and I think the value different stories have is immeasurable.

But alas, some places in the world aren't as fond of books as I am. So, for this year's Banned Books Week, I wanted to take a moment and just remind my readers and myself of the joy that books can bring to a person's life.

Why books should be celebrated and not banned

In the world of literature, there are set genres and there are typical plotlines. However, two individual writers' interpretations of the same genre and plotline will not be the same.

In fact, I recently heard the phrase: You can copy an idea, but not the execution of the idea. And that's true. Think of how many romance novels are out there where boy meets girl, they get together, something happens, they break up, but then ultimately get back together in the end.

It's the same basic plot foundation, but if you compare Cressida McLaughlin to Elsie Silver, they're completely different books.

And this just proves the magic of books.

Every book is unique. Each story is different. Readers are taken on a journey with the characters and are given the chance to live a thousand different lives and step into someone else's shoes.

Having books banned and removed from public access limits the opportunities readers have. Books can shape lives. They give people the chance to learn and see more about different cultures and people as well as finding themselves in characters they read about.

Readers can learn so much not just from the words they read in a book, but from discussing with fellow readers. Having the ability and the freedom to choose something to read and being able to share that love and those ideas with others is something special.

If you're on social media, the popularity of reading is as clear as ever with Bookstagram and BookTok becoming more prevalent. And it's amazing to see because books are powerful.

Having books, such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Hate U Give, being challenged because they represent tough topics like racism, police cruelty, LGBTQIA+ and mental health disorders, is such a shame. Books with content like this, sure may not be suitable for everyone, but they deserve to be out there.

People can deepen their knowledge and gain a better understanding of the world around them through content such as that.

So for Banned Books Week, I'm supporting all kinds of books.

Until next time...