Banned Books Reading List

mandysreadinglist's profile picture mandysreadinglist Host

54 participants (63 books)

20 Jan 2025—20 Jan 2026

Overview

Book bans and challenges are increasing in libraries and schools across the country. A majority of the books that have been targeted focus on sexual orientation, gender identity, race and racism, which are exactly the books we need to be reading. This challenge aims to create a conversation around historically banned books as well as some of the most recently challenged books nationwide. 

Book bans and censorship are instruments of oppression. An educated population is an aware population, and that’s why what we read is so important. 

Reading is a form of activism. The pursuit of knowledge is an inherently political act. The books you choose to read and the authors you choose to support matter. Stories matter. By choosing to read, and choosing to read diversely, we educate ourselves. By sharing and talking about books, we can educate others. 

Read banned books, read diverse books. Support indie authors and bookstores. Continue to borrow books from your library—in-person or digitally. Use your borrows to show libraries what books are important to you! The more often a book is borrowed the longer it will remain in circulation.

These are terrifying times, and we cannot go forward blindly. Read dystopian, read romance, read non-fiction. Read ownvoice, read bipoc, read lgbtq. Read banned books. Talk about banned books. Buy banned books. 

Challenge Books

All books added
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games #0.5

Suzanne Collins

382 pages • hardcover • 2025

fiction dystopian young adult dark emotional sad fast-paced
Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron Von Steuben by Josh Trujillo

Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron Von Steuben

Josh Trujillo

192 pages • hardcover • 2023

nonfiction biography graphic novel history lgbtqia+ emotional informative reflective medium-paced
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Blood and Bone

Legacy of Orïsha #1

Tomi Adeyemi

17 hours, 56 minutes • audio • 2018

fiction fantasy young adult adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

Memphis

Tara M. Stringfellow

252 pages • hardcover • 2022

fiction historical literary emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay

The Hunger Games #3

Suzanne Collins

457 pages • paperback • 2010

fiction dystopian young adult adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper Volume 1

Heartstopper #1

Alice Oseman

288 pages • paperback • 2018

fiction contemporary graphic novel lgbtqia+ romance young adult emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Hunger Games #0

Suzanne Collins

541 pages • digital • 2020

fiction dystopian young adult adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

Good Dirt

Charmaine Wilkerson

352 pages • hardcover • 2025

fiction historical literary emotional informative reflective medium-paced
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Take My Hand

Dolen Perkins-Valdez

359 pages • hardcover • 2022

fiction historical literary emotional informative sad medium-paced
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou's Autobiography #1

Maya Angelou

10 hours, 12 minutes • audio • 1969

nonfiction autobiography classics emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced