Our #BannedBooksWeek Reading List: Part 3
September 27, 2017
Throughout Banned Books Week, September 24 – 30, Penguin Random House will be highlighting frequently banned and challenged books to help raise awareness of the importance of defending our right to express ourselves and read without censorship or interference. Keep reading for Banned Books reading list inspiration, and stay tuned all week for more recommendations.
ADVENTUERES OF HUCKELBERRY FINN by Mark Twain
Challenge Reasons: Racism, Insensitivity, Offensive Language
An incomparable adventure story, it is a vignette of a turbulent, yet hopeful epoch in American history, defining the experience of a nation in voices often satirical, but always authentic. The classic boyhood adventure tale is updated with a new introduction by noted Mark Twain scholar R. Kent Rasmussen and a foreword by Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran and The Republic of Imagination.
NORWEGIAN WOOD by Haruki Murakami
Challenge Reasons: Drugs, Sexually Explicit
Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman.
LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
Challenge Reasons: Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuitable for Age Group
Miles “Pudge” Halter falls in love with the gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. LOOKING FOR ALASKA, #1 bestselling author John Green’s debut novel, brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another.
Also during Banned Books Week, head over to Out of Print Clothing to find out how you can contribute to hurricane relief efforts through book donations from Penguin Random House. For each piece of Banned Books merchandise sold on the Out of Print website during Banned Books Week, September 24 – 30, Penguin Random House will donate one book in support of hurricane relief efforts through First Book up to 10,000 books. Click here to start browsing and give back. Popular Company News
The 2025 Hugo Awards: THE TAINTED CUP Wins Best Novel
August 25, 2025
Recently, The 2025 Hugo Awards winners were announced at a ceremony at Seattle Worldcon 2025. THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey) brought home…
Crown to Publish Senator Bernie Sanders’ FIGHT OLIGARCHY
September 5, 2025
Crown announced today the imminent publication of FIGHT OLIGARCHY, a new book by New York Times bestselling author Senator Bernie Sanders. In recognition of the urgency…
Avery Announces James Clear’s THE ATOMIC HABITS WORKBOOK, the Official Companion to the #1 Worldwide Bestseller
August 28, 2025
Avery is pleased to announce the upcoming release of THE ATOMIC HABITS WORKBOOK by James Clear, scheduled for publication on December 9, 2025. …
There’s a Book for That: Workplace Novels
August 28, 2025
Labor Day weekend is upon us! Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to…
There’s a Book for That: Scientific Inquiry
September 5, 2025
As the school year begins, and funding in the sciences is being cut on a national level, we thought it important to showcase some of Penguin…
Penguin Random House Expands Book Access Through the Book Rich Environments Program
September 11, 2025
Penguin Random House is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the National Book Foundation’s Book Rich Environments (BRE) program, an initiative we have supported since…
There’s a Book for That: Mars!
September 12, 2025
Continuing our focus on science, this week's New York Times headline reads In a Rock on Mars, NASA Sees ‘Clearest Sign of Life’ So Far. NASA’s…
Congratulations to Our National Book Awards Longlisters!
September 15, 2025
Last week, the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization, announced the longlists for the 76th National Book Awards. Established in 1950, the National Book Awards are American literary…
There’s a Book for That: Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month
September 19, 2025
Welcome Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month which runs from September 15th through October 15th, during which time we honor the contributions of Latine and Hispanic Americans…
