Buy banned books
By Liz Hedrick 09/18/2008
In addition to the banned books display, Vroman’s will host a reading of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” at 7 p.m. tonight in anticipation of former LA Times business editor Rick Wartzman’s Oct. 2 lecture about his book “Obscene in the Extreme: The Burning and Banning of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.” Both the lecture and the reading are free and open to the public.
The volumes targeted range from J.K Rowling’s “Harry Potter” to Sarah S. Brannen’s more recently published “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” a picture book about a youngster’s concern that her uncle’s impending nuptials to another man will ruin their close relationship.
“The entire concept of banning books outrages me,” said Kris Vreeland, general manager of Vroman’s children’s section. “I believe that by keeping kids from reading certain books, it limits the opportunity to talk about difficult issues. And besides, when you tell kids they can’t read something, they only become more interested in the topic.”
A perfect example: The banning of Roald Dahl’s “The BFG” for “excessive flatulence” undoubtedly has not reduced the number of fart jokes told among grade-schoolers.
Banned Book Week is a national initiative celebrating the country’s dedication to freedom of choice in what Americans read and write.
“I believe that the freedom of having a book — any book — on a shelf is inherently a political issue,” Vreeland said. “And what makes me angriest is that many of the powerful individuals crusading to ban books haven’t even read the books they’re attacking. It’s absurd.”
Vroman’s Bookstore is at 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 449-5320 or visit vromansbookstore.com.
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