Banned Book Week

There is nothing more repulsive to me than censorship. If you don't want to watch/read/listen/play something, then don't. I promise not to make you do something you don't want to do if you will promise not to deny me the privilege of making that decision for myself.

I think that everyone should read widely and experience as much as possible. It's only through experiences that we can truely learn about ourselves and the world around us. Knowledge is power, and the more knowlege I can obtain the better.

I also think that children have the right to think for themselves. If they are old enough to read, they are old enough to choose what they want to read. Books will censor themselves just based on content - 6 year olds aren't going to understand or enjoy reading A Time to Kill, by John Grisham. The language is too complex, as are the ideas.

Movies, music and video games are a little different from books because there isn't really a learning curve involved. Anyone that can see and hear can watch a TV. Some discretion on the part of the parents is required for those mediums. But books? Come on.

Instead of banning books we should be encouraging children to read more! In fact, we should encourage the whole country to read more. That's why I'm joining T.H. Mafi and The Rejectionist by reviewing a banned book on September 30, 2010. I haven't reviewed a book since I was in school, so this should be interesting!

-Natalie