Book bans aren't about the books. They're about the ideas inside--and the power stories have to expand minds, spark questions, and encourage critical thinking. At Powell's, we've supported and celebrated independent thinking since our inception, which means continuing to stock and sell books others have labeled "offensive" or "inappropriate." We will always fight for your right to read anything you want.
Powell's Books, Portland, Ore.
As a word guy, I confess for a long time I was a bit uneasy about the use of celebrate to describe what we all do during Banned Books Week. I knew what we meant by the usage; we're not celebrating the bans so much as our active response to them. So, I gradually came to terms with the term, seeing it, as Powell's does, as a way to support and celebrate independent thinking. In fact, there are so many fierce, fun, and creative ways to celebrate our support for outlawed titles that now I can't think of a better word to use.
For example, City Lights Books, San Francisco, Calif., celebrated with a little historical perspective by digging into its video archives: "Who better to celebrate Banned Books Week with than author & filmmaker John Waters? Hear him reading from the often banned LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER by DH Lawrence, recorded in the publishing offices at City Lights, 2013."
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| On the Side Books, Bradford, Pa., offered a series of banned book mug shots. | |
And in a report headlined "Custer Bookstore Celebrates Banned Books Week," Carrie Moore, owner of Petals & Pages in Custer, S.Dak., told KOTA: "I was really shocked to find out some of my childhood favorites had once been banned. It's just so funny because I don't remember that as the message; I took away something different. So, what message is someone not wanting you to read about or hear about? Also celebrating the authors who have written these books, their voice, and the message they want to portray."
Index on Censorship has relaunched Banned Books Week UK this year, noting: "While it's a time to celebrate the freedom to read, it's also about standing in solidarity with writers, booksellers, librarians and publishers who are being increasingly silenced or facing pressure to withdraw books."
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| Booksellers at Secret World Books, Highland Park, Ill., showed off their topical T-shirts. | |
'"We just want to celebrate stories," Charlie Hunts, owner of Charlie's Queer Books, Seattle, Wash., told KUOW. "We see a ton of people coming from red states who have already seen the effects of these book bans, whether it's in their schools or in their bookstores. They stock up with us. They bring it home. They share it amongst their community, they even bring it to their schools to share with other parents. We're seen as a resource in this moment.... We just want to share really amazing, imaginative ways of being in the world with other people. We recognize the role that books have played in our lives."
Celebrating Banned Books Week is, of course, a longstanding independent bookstore tradition, with the stakes seeming to get higher each year. Among indies getting into the spirit this week:
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| At Bookstore on the Square | |
Bookstore on the Square, Fort Collins, Colo.: "Today is the beginning of Banned Books Week 2025! A celebration of reading freely. The American Library Association has been bringing awareness to book censorship since 1982. Banning & challenging books in the US has surged in recent years. Check out ALA.org for more information!"
Alibi Bookshop, Vallejo, Calif.: "Today is the first day of Banned Books Week (October 5th-11th) which celebrates our freedom to read.... We have so many banned books--from Charlotte's Web to A Clockwork Orange (the most challenged book in 2024!)--that there were too many to display in the window, and I had to stack them up. And even then a lot of them didn't fit! I'll bet you can find a few of your favorites in the piles, which I will happily dismantle for you.... So be sure you stop by this week and celebrate your freedom to read.... Ignorance is not strength."
Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville & Downers Grove, Ill.: "In celebration of National Banned Books Week we are using our social media to help amplify the latest data-driven information about the state of censorship in America all week. Tune in daily to access resources to help you learn more!"
The Little BOHO Bookshop, Bayonne, N.J.: "The Little Boho Bookshop celebrates our freedom to read. We support diverse representation and own voice writing as stories that feature characters with diverse ethnicities and sexualities remain at the top of challenged books lists.... Celebrate your freedom to read.... READ A BANNED BOOK TODAY!"
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| Art by Larry Law | |
Theodore's Books, Oyster Bay, N.Y.: "Our bookseller Chloe is kicking off Banned Books Week by sharing her favorite banned book, and why it still matters today. Come visit our Banned Books display and celebrate the stories that challenge, inspire, and remind us why the freedom to read is worth protecting."
And if you're looking to get into the true spirit of the celebration, Larry Law, executive director at Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and an artist, has captured it with his latest creation, noting: "Happy Banned Books Week! Celebrate accordingly."
Celebrate that, book banners!