During #BannedBooksWeek, indie booksellers nationwide are posting photos, book picks, and opinions on their social media channels, celebrating and sharing vital information in a variety of creative ways. We highlighted some on Wednesday. Here's another sampling:
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Story & Song Bookstore Bistro, Fernandina Beach, Fla.: "It's Banned Book Week. Are you reading a banned book? Yesterday, it was a packed house! We were blown away by the power of the table reading of the play The Sledding Hill. All ages were present and sharing their voice on this topic. Thank you to all who came, those who presented.... It enlightened and inspired us all! Come join us this week in the store to discuss our f'read'om to read."
Interabang Books, Dallas, Tex.: "As an independent bookstore, we have the privilege of providing a truly unique experience, and to curate books that reflect the fabric of our community. You won't find a display of popular banned books, though many exist on our shelves. To ban one book is to risk silencing them all. We consider every title in our store an invaluable part of our mission, right there in the 'interabang' name: to encourage the search for knowledge and provide the excitement of discovery, for everyone."
Yellow Bird Books, Aurora, Ill.: "Celebrate Banned Books Week with Yellow Bird Books!"
Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport, N.Y.: "It's Banned Books Week. Pop in the store to take a closer look at our display! (and maybe give a nice book a loving home) Find out which books have been challenged for 'satanic talking animals,' 'banning books within a book,' 'espousing a poor philosophy of life,' and 'just being a bad book.' Have any of your favorite books have been considered 'controversial?' "
Wildflower Bookshop, Grand Rapids, Minn.: "Caution Banned Books Week is here! What banned books are your favorite? September's reading challenge is read a banned book! Stop in before the end of the month to grab your book."
The Squirrel and Acorn Bookshop, State College, Pa.: "Just a small sample on display for Banned Books Week. These books are frequently banned or challenged in schools and libraries."
The Brewster Book Store, Brewster, Mass.: "Did you know that Banned Books Week was launched the same year that Brewster Book Store was founded? We opened in 1982, the very same year that our country began to see a rise in book challenges and the very same year Banned Books Week was established as a response."
The Pile Bookstore, Berwyn, Ill.: "Have you shopped our banned books sale? Taken home a blind date with a banned book? Joined our Banned Books Book Club? We have a number of ways for you to experience these stories that are being challenged around the country--and we're always happy to talk about them with you!"
Bookish Modesto, Modesto, Calif.: "This week, we stand up for the freedom to read and celebrate the powerful stories that challenge the status quo!... Let’s take this opportunity to discuss the impact of censorship and champion the voices that inspire us to think critically about our world."
Abalabix Books, Crystal Lake, Ill.: "It's Banned Books Week so we had George pick out some of his favorites. Reading banned books sparks understanding, compassion and empathy. And they educate you while also being entertaining!"
Three Bells Books, Mason City, Iowa: "It's national Banned Books Week this week but you may have noticed we're observing all month long with our biggest September display shown here. There are such gems on these shelves, from classics all the way up to recent rom coms, all of which have been challenged/banned from time to time by one entity or another."
McLean and Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, Mich.: "McLean and Eakin Booksellers will ALWAYS support MORE ideas, never fewer. We believe every reader deserves to see themselves on the page. We PROUDLY sell and ENCOURAGE the reading of BANNED BOOKS. "