Banning Books

Yesterday, I read an article about the top ten 'frequently challenged' books of last year. (Must have been a slow news day-books? In the news? Don't they need to be covering Justin Beiber? Get on that, internet!)

Sarcasm aside, I had to laugh at the whole idea. You see, I think banning books is just ridiculous. You know what it does, don't you? It makes people want to read them even more. Really, if you think something is objectionable, there is only one solution.

Don't read/listen to/watch it! It's just that simple.

It bugs me a little, though, when they go for the kid's books. I'm willing to bet that most people complaining haven't read the book they're complaining about. Take Captain Underpants, for instance. Potty humor? Bucketloads. The main character is a rotund, bald guy flying around in his underwear, for heaven's sake! (But admit it, that was hilarious. Rotund, bald guys flying around in their underwear are always hilarious.)

If you don't like it, that's okay. But you don't get to make decisions for other people. It goes into the same category as those people who knock on your door and try to convert you. I'm sorry. I have my views, and you have yours, and let's just accept that and have cookies.

That's not to say you have to like everything. I am...less than a fan of Twilight. Really. But you're entitled to like it. You're totally allowed to have a crush on the sparkling vampire. (It's okay. I used to have a crush on the Scarecrow. Must've been the psychotic nerdy-ness.) Just...don't tell me what I can and can't read, okay?

-Lalla