The week of September 22-September 28, 2024 was declared as Banned Books Week. When I hear the term "banned books," I think of book challenges and bans that have increased in recent years centered around K-12 literature. Many of the books being challenged are LGBTQ+ related or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) books by and about people of color (The idea of adult censorship never crossed my mind until I read The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson.
This light-hearted fictional book centers on the young Maggie Banks. Maggie is going through life aimlessly until she agrees to work temporarily in the bookstore co-owned by her best friend from college who needs to take maternity leave. When Maggie starts to manage the bookstore, things start to get out of hand.
When circumstances cause Maggie to sell books that are against policy and have book-related events centered around the prohibited books, the book gets interesting. Not only does Maggie read and sell books that are frowned upon, but she also starts a romance with the one person whose job is to monitor and report any of Maggie's actions that don't comply with bookstore policy. The plot truly thickens at this point!
If you are looking for a light, cute book to read, I highly recommend this book! Celebrate the freedom of reading! I challenge you to research some of your favorite books to see if they have been challenged. If so, please leave the title in the comments section. Happy reading!
The notion of banning books in this country has become an intentional ploy to keep control in certain pockets of society. I am free to read what I like and I exercise that right to expand my mindset beyond my culture and environment. Well they tried to ban Jesus and the good book, but how did that work out? Whether you're aiming to ban books or abortions ask yourself what are you gaining from disallowing others to make a rightful decision for themselves?