In keeping with the theme of this week, another major issue arose last night in Prattville, Alabama – just outside our state capitol city of Montgomery – with a library board that has absolutely run amok, not only attempting to ban books but also firing the library director that dared defy them as well as the library staff that is supporting him.

al.com prattville library director fired article.

For a more in-depth look at the goings on at this library board, I am also linking an article from Book Riot. They have been holding secret meetings to create new policy – avoiding members who dissent and the director whose name would appear on the policy in question because they would not approve it. When these board members have resigned in protest, this has only allowed those who are attempting to force these changes to further stack the board.

Among the policy changes in question, it is not just them wanting to separate content by what is age appropriate (as has always been done) or even wanting to label books they consider to have “adult” content (though that is not their place either).

They are also “flagging” objectionable content that does not even exist in some books – because they haven’t read them. Then – much more alarmingly – their new policy allows the board to remove books it deems unacceptable from the library. Finally, this policy no longer requires members of the community to state they have read an entire work before they object to it.

Again, they don’t have to actually read the piece they are complaining about – but they may file a complaint blindly and the board will remove it.

bookriot prattville library board article.

All of this is – and that it has succeeded – with the secret meeting policy enacted, board members driven away – and, now, the library staff also cast out points to a dire situation.

As I do not live in this county, all I can do is watch from afar and see how this deeply unsettling situation plays out.

In the meantime, with banned books still very much on mind, I have decided to start a weekly series here on the blog, a project I’ve been considering for awhile.

So, we have arrived at “I’m With The Banned” Fridays.

Reading at least one book from my above list each week, I’ll share what I’ve read as we work our way through the list.  ❤

Though – back when I was in high school and the dinosaurs roamed the earth 😉 – I’ve read many of these books, it has been more than 25 years – and I would love to read them again, especially during this time when so many are being challenged.

Over the past week or so, I accidentally started it, as I’ve already written I just reread The Great Gatsby – a beloved favorite.

In addition to Gatsby, though, there was a second book from this list that also found me this week: The Awakening by Kate Chopin.

I actually did not read The Awakening in school and it has stayed on my TBR forever; I’ve just never gotten to it – until this week. I saw on Goodreads that my Cheryl had just reread it – and spoke glowingly of how she loves this book, so I quickly picked it up.

I was not disappointed.

Not only is it beautifully written but it is so far ahead of its time that I still cannot believe it was written in 1899. The protagonist, Edna Pontellier, discovers – or, really, claims – herself, and, throughout the work, she learns to express herself artistically, emotionally, and sexually – I repeat, in 1899.

As one might expect, this was not well received in 1899 in many circles, found to be vulgar, and it ruined Chopin’s career.

It was rediscovered in the 1960’s and was appreciated for the remarkable work it actually is.

However, it has again made way to the infamous banned books lists of Florida and the like as recently as 2020 – so here we go again.

With Gatsby and The Awakening getting me started, I’m looking forward to Banned Fridays – and I’ll be following the library situation in Prattville as well.

Wishing you all a weekend of fun, family, and happy reading.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.