Read Banned Books!

Got something to say? Send us a text!

SPECIAL NOTE: This episode is chock full of links and chapter art, so check that out.  The links to the books will take you, via our affiliate link, to Bookshop.org where you can support your local bookstores and book shops, and we may earn a small commission in the process.  Thanks for supporting the show! 

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt Cassem and Christina Trevaskis delve into the significance of Banned Books Week and why reading banned books matters. Christina shares her personal experiences with banned books such as 'The Outsiders,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Heartstopper,' and discusses their profound impact on her life and beliefs. 

The conversation expands to explore the reasons behind book banning, touching on moral panic and control, while stressing the importance of critical thinking and creativity fostered through reading. They highlight the paradoxical effect of banning books, making them more sought after, and encourage listeners to read banned books for education and growth. They also provide insight into controversial themes in literature and emphasize the role of fiction as a 'back door to learning.'

00:45 Silly Opener

01:26 Real Opener

02:03 Topic Intro: Banned Books

03:34 ‘The Outsiders’ by S.E. Hinton

04:49 ’To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee

05:55 ‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman

06:49 Fiction is the Back Door to Learning & Growth

07:49 Stephen King on Banned Books

09:49 Bannedbooksweek.org Shoutout

10:27 ‘1984’ by George Orwell

11:42 ‘Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D. Salinger

12:31 ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker

12:34 ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

12:44 ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley

15:42 The American Heritage Dictionary and the word “bed” as verb

18:21 “We’ll link those children’s books too…”

18:31 ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White

18:43 The Result of Banning These Books

19:57 ‘Huckleberry Finn’ by Mark Twain

20:12 ‘The Indian in the Cupboard’ by Lynne Reid Banks

20:27 ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding

25:04 Wrap Up

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.