Flyby Five: Our Favorite Challenged or Banned Books

This Flyby Five is just a quick list of our favorite challenged or banned books, along with quotes that illustrate some of why we love them so very much.

Flyby Five, where we abandon all sense of seriousness and do silly lists about whatever pops into our heads. This segment will be posted every Wednesday we feel like posting it. This is not a serious list, nor is it a “Top 5” list. And there is every possible chance that some of these lists or the language in these lists may not be PG-13 friendly. You have been warned. -L&G

Our Favorite Challenged or Banned Books

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Yes, we’re mentioning Fahrenheit 451 again. Yes, we mention it a lot. We do it for a reason.

“We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

“The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

“A book is a loaded gun in the house next door…Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Yes, you’ve seen Ender’s Game mentioned on this site probably more than you’ve seen Fahrenheit 451 mentioned. Can’t help it. A good book is a good book is a good book.

“Perhaps it’s impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game

“Sometimes lies were more dependable than the truth.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game

“I’ve lived too long with pain. I won’t know who I am without it.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

I, Robot is a science fiction must-read in my opinion. I know not everyone’s a huge fan, but I think there’s comfort to be found in it.

“And his idea of solid comfort was to be left in utter solitude for two or three hours.”
― Isaac Asimov, I, Robot

“It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say ‘It’s as plain as the nose on your face.’ But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?”
― Isaac Asimov, I, Robot

“You are the only one responsible for your own wants.”
― Isaac Asimov, I, Robot

Different Seasons – Stephen King

Different Seasons has four stories in it. All of them are fantastic. I also find it ironic that it’s challenged for a prison rape scene while ‘Orange is the New Black’ is hailed as a masterpiece and most likely watched by parents who think their kids aren’t paying attention. Here’s a hint. They probably are.

“I don’t have to judge a man by rumours when I can judge him for myself”
– Stephen King, Different Seasons, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption

“The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them. It’s hard to make strangers care about the good things in your life.”
– Stephen King, Different Seasons, The Body

“Get busy living, or get busy dying”
– Stephen King, Different Seasons, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – Alvin Schwartz

I read the Scary Stories series of books in second grade. I am a fully functioning adult to this day. The only thing I’ll say about it is that it’s more accurate in the writer’s credit. As I grew older I realized that these were actually urban legends and folk tales. Not exactly original material by the author. The horror list may seem scanty but that actually speaks volumes in itself doesn’t it? It strikes me that horror isn’t allowed near enough schools half the time to even be rated on its own merits.

What are your favorite challenged or banned books?

What do you think about banning books?

Talk to us!

Challenged or Banned artwork courtesy of the American Library Association