Banned books, banned people --- and me

October has launched --- and with it, two observances that many self-styled conservatives find annoying. We're currently in the first days of both Banned Book Week, Oct. 1-7, and LGBTQ History Month, Oct. 1-31.

I have an embarrassing story related to the first banned book that I met and was defeated by, J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, novelized in 1951 and by 1961 considered by some to be scandalous. Wikipedia tells us that between 1961 and 1982, Salinger's novel was the most censored book in U.S. schools and public libraries. It's still being banned here and there.

I recall a paperback copy passed from hand to hand in study hall at Russell High School during the early 1960s and my attempts to read it. Unfortunately for me, Mr. Salinger's writing style --- described by at least one critic and totally unrelated to subject matter as "execrable" --- caused my eyes to glaze over and I nodded off.

I've never managed to read it since, even though it now is acclaimed as one of the best English language novels ever written. And because of that, I feel inadequate.

Here in Iowa, we've been treated this year to the great purge of school libraries --- directed by our fundamentalist Christian-Republican Legislature. A majority of the most frequently targeted books involve LGBTQ subjects and/or have LGBTQ authors. 

So it's highly appropriate that Banned Book Week kicks off LGBTQ History Month. I'll probably have more to say about the latter as the month progresses; we'll see.

Whatever the case, please read a banned book or two this week. You'll be a better person for it. And remember that the underlying goal of those who would ban or burn books is to ban or burn people. Hopefully, it won't come to that.