four fifty-one

This post was inspired by Pete Buttigieg calling on Mike Pence's homophobia and the response that Karen Pence, the wifely equivalent of three day old oatmeal gave about it. You see, dear Karen was asked about Mayor Pete while peddling her daughter's equally milquetoast book (a book about their pet rabbit, which happens to be the most interesting thing about the Pences) and she played the oppressed xtianist victim. Pete Buttigieg is an existential threat to the wingnuts. I then remembered that the Pence book was parodied by John Oliver: the fabulous A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, which became a sensation, because the Pence pet rabbit suddenly gained a backstory and ended up falling in love and marrying Wesley, another male rabbit. I could imagine Mike Pence, the religious right's Trojan Horse in the White House, discovering that the parody book actually became a bestseller and its proceeds went to the Trevor Project and Aids United and I cackled in my living room.  I did some sleuthing on the book and lo and behold, ADITLOMB seems to be one of the most banned books in libraries.

So I decided to write about banned books. Because if one thing gives me pleasure is to go ahead and do something that will make religious types uncomfortable. You see, every year I usually try to buy one of those banned books for myself, even though many are YA/chidren's literature (because 'think of the children' is still the wingnut's war cry). I actually own A Day in the Life of Michael Bundo. I was one of the people who had to sign up for the waiting list when the first print of the book was sold out.

Religulous types always try to ban something that does not conform to their twisted worldview, especially if it is aimed at promoting understanding, acceptance or tolerance towards others. They have even burned some of these banned books. Ray Bradbury warned us against them: a totalitarian society usually starts with the banning and burning of books. So my plead to you is to ask you to get at least one of these books and either keep it (it would make a fantastic conversation piece next time you have someone over) or give it to someone ( I would either give it to one of my putative nephews or nieces or to the local mini-public-library). By buying and reading these books I make a point on never letting anybody tell me what to read or what to buy. Especially some stupid cunt who thinks her sky daddy has somehow forbidden anal sex between men (something I believe her supercilious husband would really enjoy, btw).

So here they are. These are my top picks. I already have two of them. How many are you going to get?

ADITLOMB

GEORGE

DRAMA

THISDAYINJUNE

TWOBOYSKISSING

If you want the whole list of the Top Ten Most Challenged books, go to ALA and check them all out!

Happy reading!

XOXO