The Color Purple

Penned By: Alice Walker

Banned: From day one that this book was published, unsurprisingly it has been challenged. It honestly and unapologetically describes controversial issues such as homosexuality, rape, and racism. Since the argument can be made that these are valid issues to consider in literature and discussion, among other things, people have protested against the book for offensive language, sexual explicitness, violence, man's relationship to God, and it's description of African (the continent) history.
Sources:
Banned Book Awareness: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Banned and/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course
The Color Purple and Its Controversy

The Color Purple is a tale of enduring love, faith, and spirit. In a series of letters the tale of two sisters separated as teenagers is told. The women lead very different lives, one as a much abused housewife and the other a missionary in Africa. Celie, the main character is the "housewife", and so much more. The novel delves into the darker depths of Africa and African-American history, more so it delves into the dark depths of the human psyche and the secrets we keep. This novel is excellent for teaching anyone that has endured hardship and wrongdoing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Quote: "And not being tied to what God looks like, frees us."

Genus: Literary Minded

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty:  3

Determination: Must read

Series: No

Film: Yes

Your type of tale? Try these: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg, and Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris

Cool Stuff: Official Website      The Musical        A Fanpage

Other Books for Banned Book Week 2011:
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight

Penned By: Stephenie Meyer

Banned: The extremely popular Twilight book, it's 3 sequels and companion book have been challenged severely over the last few years. The reasons? Sexual explicitness, offensive language, religious viewpoint, and violence to name a few. I must say people are reaching a bit except for maybe on the violence. Wouldn't it make more sense just to express anti-vampirism sentiments?
Sources:
Twilight: America's Fifth Most-Dangerous Book
ALA Kicks Off Banned Book Week
Twilight Series Debuts on Library Book Ban List

Twilight is the tale of an awkward girl who moves to a more than small, rainy town. There, she quickly finds more than she bargained for as she's thrust into the world of the paranormal and first true love. This unique tale of romance, adventure, and fantasy is a fun, can't put down read. If you have ever felt like an alien or out of time you will sympathize with the main character Bella.

If you have not read Midnight Sun, the first part of Twilight from Edward's viewpoint, I recommend it.

Quote: "Everything was green: the trees, their trunks covered with moss, their branches hanging with a canopy of it, the ground covered with ferns. Even the air filtered down through the leaves. It was too green -- an alien planet."

Genus: Fantasy Minded

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2

Determination: For the genus lover

Series:  Yes: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, Midnight Sun, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Film: Yep

Cool Stuff: The Cullen House Blog     Forks Chamber of Commerce Twilight       Dazzled by Twilight

Your type of tale? Try these: Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber, Wings by Aprilynne Pike, and The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

Other Books for Banned Book Week 2011:
The Color Purple by Alice Walker