This has been an extra puny week – even by my usual spoonie standards – but I have some happy things to share this Banned Books Friday.

In what will hopefully be a two post day, first, I’ll pass along the report on this week’s banned book reading. Then, later this evening, I plan to share pictures of our sweet Henry’s 11th Birthday too. ♥️

This week, I read several interesting books I’ll share later this weekend – and two banned books from our list as well.

First was Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, a reread from my RHS days.

I can honestly say – though I don’t dispute that Faulkner is a master of the language – I remember this one being a less favored read in 1996 – and so it was still in 2024.

The convoluted tale of the Bundren family of Mississippi hauling the decaying body of the family matriarch for days on end to bury her in her hometown – amid all manner of other issues – is the height of Southern Gothic – and it demands an emotional response from the reader. It’s impossible to be neutral in the face of the chaos of these characters and their world.

The writing is exceptional, regardless of my lack of enthusiasm for the subject matter.

My second banned book of the week, however, has brought me great joy – and it is the beginning of this upcoming week’s reading as well.

As this week is Children’s Book Week, I decided to start my reread of the Lord of the Rings trilogy because it is inexplicably on our banned books list.

Book One, The Fellowship of The Ring, has me right back in the story – remembering it from years ago – and I am so happy to revisit the rest of the trilogy this upcoming week, on a grand adventure with Frodo Baggins and Company.

Of all the books I’ve read so far, that someone found reason to ban these wonderful stories really makes me scratch my head – but, again, there is no excuse for banning books.

Later, I’ll be back to tell of Henry Petunia’s Birthday and then about more fabulous books that have come my way this week.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend and happy reading.

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

Grace and Blessings.

Banned Books Read So Far:

• The Great Gatsby 
• The Awakening
• Lady Chatterley’s Lover
• Animal Farm
• 1984
• Slaughterhouse Five
• Brave New World
• Their Eyes Were Watching God
• A Separate Peace
• Lolita 
• A Farewell to Arms
• The Grapes of Wrath
• As I Lay Dying
• LOTR – The Fellowship of The Ring