Banned Books Book Club (Vanier Library)

“Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” – Isaac Asimov

Curious about why book banning is becoming more widespread? Don’t like being told what to read? Want to discover a book worth reading? Join the pop-up Banned Books Book Club at the library.

Come to one of our conversation circles to discuss your thoughts about a book you’ve read or are familiar with and why it has been challenged.

The conversation circles will be on Wednesday, February 25, from 2-3pm at Webster Library in LB-207 or Friday, February 27 at 2-3pm in VL-307. You can choose a suggested book or select your own. No registration required, but feel free to register if you would like to receive a reminder email.

Suggested books:

• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• Genderqueer by Maia Kobabe
• A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence
• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
• Maus by Art Spiegel

Come prepared to discuss banned books with an open mind!

“Yes, books are dangerous. They should be dangerous – they contain ideas.” – Pete Hautman

Want to pick your own book? Here are some resources to find banned or challenged books:

• The Canadian Library Challenges Database
  • Lists books that have been challenged in Canada, where, why, and how libraries respond
• Freedom to Read Challenged Works List
  • List of books that have been challenged in Canada and internationally
• ALA Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024
  • The most frequently challenged books in American libraries and schools from 2024
• ALA Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books of the Past Decade
  • The most frequently challenged books in American libraries and schools from 2010-2019