Book

2024 - 3 - 15

Book Bans on the Rise: A Look at the Surging Censorship Trend in 2023

American Library Association - Book Bans - Censorship - Freedom of Expression - Literature

Book bans hit record highs in 2023 with a 65% increase in challenges. Find out which genres and topics faced the most scrutiny!

Book censorship took center stage in 2023, with a staggering 65% spike in book challenges reported by the American Library Association. The surge in attempts to ban 4240 unique book titles in schools and libraries shed light on the ongoing battle over freedom of expression. LGBTQ+ and race-related themes emerged as primary targets, reflecting broader societal debates. Despite the controversies, Irish author Paul Murray's 'The Bee Sting' shone brightly, winning the prestigious Nero Book of the Year award for its exceptional storytelling.

Additionally, efforts to organize events promoting literary diversity surfaced, such as the South Jersey Children's Book Festival spearheaded by Rowan faculty. The festival showcased a variety of genres, bringing authors and readers together in celebration of literature. Simultaneously, the Rainbow Book Bus made waves by distributing banned LGBTQ+ books, countering the censorship wave.

On the commercial front, the Friends of the Library announced upcoming book sale dates, offering a diverse range of reading materials to the public. From hardbacks to audiobooks, the sale aimed to make literature accessible to all. As the battle against book bans raged on, the London Book Fair emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in publishing, launching a significant statement on the global stage.

In a heartening finale, Paul Murray's 'The Bee Sting' secured the Nero Gold Book of the Year, affirming the power of storytelling amidst attempts to stifle voices. The resilience of literary communities, from festivals to book sales, demonstrated a collective commitment to upholding diverse narratives in the face of censorship challenges.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NPR"

American Library Association report says book challenges soared in ... (NPR)

Overall, the number of individual titles challenged in both school and public libraries spiked by 65% — the highest level ever recorded by the ALA.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Book bans in US schools and libraries surged to record highs in 2023 (The Guardian)

Though the list is broad, many of the 4240 books were targeted because they related to issues of LGBTQ+ communities or race.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Politico"

Book ban attempts spiked in 2023, new research shows (Politico)

An organization representing libraries found efforts to censor 4240 unique book titles in schools and libraries.

The number of book titles that people tried to ban rose by 65% last ... (WUNC)

An American Library Association report says efforts to restrict books accelerated last year. The number of individual titles challenged in school and public ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Paul Murray's The Bee Sting wins inaugural Nero book of the year ... (The Guardian)

Irish author's 'suspenseful and linguistically astonishing' fourth novel praised for its 'great wit and humanity' by judge Bernardine Evaristo.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Attempts to Ban Books Accelerated in 2023 (The New York Times)

After several years of rising book bans, censorship efforts continued to surge last year, reaching the highest levels ever recorded by the American Library ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Book ban attempts reached historic high last year, library ... (NBC News)

The American Library Association said that the number of books challenged in libraries across the U.S. spiked 65% in 2023 over the previous year.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Rowan Today"

Rowan faculty help organize South Jersey Children's Book Festival ... (Rowan Today)

Featuring writers and artists whose works span a range of genres, the program will offer opportunities for readers to meet the authors and illustrators and take ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Texas Public Radio"

Rainbow Book Bus stops in San Antonio to give away banned ... (Texas Public Radio)

A bus touring the South to give away LGBTQ+ books in response to the rise in efforts to ban books made a stop in San Antonio Wednesday.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Stanly News & Press"

Friends of the Library announces book sale dates - The Stanly News ... (Stanly News & Press)

The sale includes hardbacks and paperbacks in children's, young adult and adult books. Also available are CDs, audiobooks, DVDs and more. Prices range from $.25 ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Palm Coast Observer"

Q+A: Tomoka Christian Church Pastor Joe Putting celebrates book ... (Palm Coast Observer)

Joe Putting's book, 'We Said Yes' was a collaboration with Mark Atterbury.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "publishingperspectives.com"

London Book Fair Thursday: A Freedom Statement (publishingperspectives.com)

London Book Fair is the launch point for a new five-organization international statement on freedom of expression and publishing.

The number of book titles that people tried to ban rose by 65% last ... (WSIU)

An American Library Association report says efforts to restrict books accelerated last year. The number of individual titles challenged in school and public ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Brunel University News"

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray wins Nero Gold Book of the year (Brunel University News)

Chair of judges Bernardine Evaristo, who teaches creative writing at Brunel University London, presented Murray with the £30,000 prize at an awards ceremony ...

The number of book titles that people tried to ban rose by 65% last ... (Connecticut Public Radio)

An American Library Association report says efforts to restrict books accelerated last year. The number of individual titles challenged in school and public ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Teen Librarian Toolbox"

Book Review: The Color of Sound by Emily Barth Isler (Teen Librarian Toolbox)

Twelve-year-old Rosie is a musical prodigy whose synesthesia allows her to see music in colors. Her mom has always pushed her to become a concert violinist, but ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Paul Murray's The Bee Sting wins inaugural Nero Gold Prize book ... (BBC News)

The novel tells the story of a middle-class Irish family imploding against a background of crisis.

The number of book titles that people tried to ban rose by 65% last ... (90.5 WESA)

An American Library Association report says efforts to restrict books accelerated last year. The number of individual titles challenged in school and public ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Publishers Weekly"

Five International Book Business Orgs Reaffirm Commitment to ... (Publishers Weekly)

The statement, issued by five international book business organizations, rejects the increasing efforts to restrict books and those who write them, ...

The number of book titles that people tried to ban rose by 65% last ... (Texas Public Radio)

An American Library Association report says efforts to restrict books accelerated last year. The number of individual titles challenged in school and public ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Hickory Daily Record"

Catawba Schools to hold final hearing on Michelle Teague's 24 ... (Hickory Daily Record)

After almost two years of heated debate among community and board members, Catawba County Schools will have its final book hearing related to board member ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Truthout"

Attempted Book Bans Last Year Targeted More Than 4240 Titles, an ... (Truthout)

There is "absolute evidence" of an effort "to remove particular books," an American Library Association official said.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Military.com"

The 11 Finalists for the First-Ever American Battlefield Trust Book ... (Military.com)

The American Battlefield Trust Book Prize for History is like March Madness for the best books on military history.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Hill"

American Library Association says book ban challenges in 2023 ... (The Hill)

A record number of books were challenged in school and public libraries in 2023, according to the American Library Association (ALA).

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Tallahassee.com"

Florida picks Moms for Liberty members for group to advise ... (Tallahassee.com)

Moms for Liberty members make up half of a group to advise Florida school districts on how to select titles and when to pull them off of shelves.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Welcome to the London Book Fair, Where Everyone Knows Their ... (The New York Times)

If you want to understand the power map of the publishing industry, just look at this event's floor plan.

The number of book titles that people tried to ban rose by 65% last ... (Maine Public)

An American Library Association report says efforts to restrict books accelerated last year. The number of individual titles challenged in school and public ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "publishingperspectives.com"

At London Book Fair: The PublisHer Excellence Awards Shortlist (publishingperspectives.com)

The first round of PublisHer's new Excellence Awards program names its shortlists at London Book Fair.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Romantasy, AI and Palestinian voices: publishing trends emerge at ... (The Guardian)

Future publishing priorities also included sustainability, neurodivergent protagonists and new retellings of Greek mythology.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ultiworld.com"

Book Review: One More Year - Ultiworld (ultiworld.com)

Does it deserve space on the book shelf of you or the ultimate frisbee player in your life? March 15, 2024 by Adam Ford in Opinion with 0 comments.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Publishers Weekly"

Book Deals: Week of March 18, 2024 (Publishers Weekly)

Liz Stein at William Morrow has acquired North American rights to Omid Scobie and Robin Benway's Royal Spin. The deal was brokered by Albert Lee and Lisa ...

Spring Break Book Swap | UW–Madison Events Calendar (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Drop in anytime from 10am - 4pm. Bring books you're interested in donating to the event, or drop them off in advance at the WUD office on the 2nd floor of Union ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Seymour Tribune"

Libraries hosting April book clubs - Seymour Tribune (Seymour Tribune)

Jackson County Public Library free, staff-led adult book discussion groups in Seymour, Crothersville and Medora plan to gather in person in April to discuss ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "HuffPost Canada"

Book Ban Efforts Continued To Soar, Set Record Highs In 2023 ... (HuffPost Canada)

As in recent years, many of the books being challenged — 47% — have LGBTQ and racial themes.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Publishers Weekly"

London Book Fair 2024: Empowering Women and the Working Class (Publishers Weekly)

Two panels at the London Book Fair on Thursday emphasized the ongoing challenge of giving opportunities to women and working-class people to write, publish, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "China Daily"

Read China at London Book Fair (China Daily)

This week, the 2024 edition of the London Book Fair, one of the world's largest publishing trade fairs, has attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors from across ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

Chinese publishers explore advanced technologies at London Book ... (Xinhua)

At the three-day event, around 50 Chinese publishers showcased more than 3,200 types of China-themed books and engaged in some 30 activities focused on ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "PEN America"

New Book Examines Why Reading Matters in America's Prisons and ... (PEN America)

Moira Marquis, who manages the Freewrite Project based in PEN America's Prison and Justice Writing program, is co-editor of a new essay collection Books ...

Explore the last week