My reading list…

book cover: Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia from HarperTrophy

In light of it being Banned Books Week, I went back to the ALA’s list of most challenged books in the last decade and I was surprised to see Bridge to Terabithia made the top 10. This book was first published in 1977 and was one of my favorite books growing up. A quick net search told me it was challenged (and banned) because of offensive language and satanism.

What a laugh!

The only thing satanic about this book is the number of reviews on Amazon. Since the “satanic worship” done in the book is a bunch of children play acting Narnia, one of the most pro-Christian fantasy pieces of all time, the irony is stunning.

I checked the list and was saddened that I’ve only read 17 of the top 100 books. From 16 of the 17 I have read, this would make a great reading list. In fact, it is now officially my reading list as I come across a nice trade paperback of these books.

My interest level is really low for Heather Has Two Mommies and The New Joy of Gay Sex. I think it’s too late for What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons. (I definitely question the relevancy of What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters). It won’t be easy going. (Besides, there are three Stephen King books on the list, none of which I’ve read.)

Oh well, at least I don’t have to reread Where’s Waldo1 and I’m going to say the skimming I did of the The Anarchist Cookbook in junior high school means I can skip that one, even though I haven’t actually read it.

1 Caitlin asked why Where’s Waldo?. From Answers.com: “The reason usually given for challenging or banning the book is that one of its pictures features a topless mermaid. A mini puzzle edition of Where’s Waldo? was banned on Long Island, because amidst the intricate beach setting a cleverly hidden nipple lurked.” Heh! I forgot about that. In college, the person who showed me the naked mermaid was an unabashed right winger—he loaned me his copy of the book to read.

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