I’m the writer of The Inside Cover, a book review blog, and I’ve started this blog as a way to get people pumped for a challenge I will be holding beginning January 1, 2009. The challenge will be to read at least 12 banned or challenged books during the year of 2009. I think it’s important to discuss these type of books and why people have serious issues with them. As I’ve perused the lists of banned and challenged books I’ve noticed that a number of them are some of the most celebrated literature in our history. Books are banned for a number of reasons – from sexually explicit content to language to conflict with the prevailing religious bleiefs – many of those reasons I feel are the things that make us more intelligent people as well as good, well-informed citizens who make reasoned decisions.

For the blog portion of this site I plan to write reviews of the banned books I read, as well as to link to reviews done by others. In addition, I’d like to start a discussion about banned books and keep you informed about any new books added to the ever-growing list. In a nation that prides itself on free speech, it shocks me to see so many books being added to lists of literature not allowed in some of our public schools. I hope this will become a place where people feel free to talk about issues and give reasons they agree or disagree with banning the books featured here.

Also, I hope to see many of you participate in this challenge. As the date grows closer I will include information on how you can sign up and what kinds of prizes will be given out at the end of the challenge.

OK then, that’s all for today. Reviews will follow.

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