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
A Newly Discovered and Never-Before-Seen Manuscript by Dr. Seuss To Be Published by Random House Children’s Books
October 28, 2025
An original manuscript and cover sketch by Ted Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was discovered in the archives of UC San Diego’s Geisel Library, and will be…
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…
Our Five Finalists for the 2025 National Book Awards
October 7, 2025
Today, the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization, announced the finalists for the 76th National Book Awards. Established in 1950, the National Book Awards are American literary prizes…
Penguin Random House and United for Libraries Announce 2026 Grant Program for Rural and Small Libraries
October 21, 2025
Penguin Random House and United for Libraries have announced a 2026 grant program designed to uplift rural and small libraries across the country. This initiative will…
Dayton Literary Peace Prize 2025: Salman Rushdie Wins Distinguished Achievement Award & MARTYR! Wins Fiction Award
September 30, 2025
The Dayton Literary Peace Prize is the first and only annual U.S. literary award recognizing the power of the written word to promote peace. Prize nominations include…
Random House Children’s Books to Acquire Cherry Lake Publishing Group
November 11, 2025
Sleeping Bear Press, Tilbury House, and Other Cherry Lake Imprints to Join Random House Children’s Books, Maintaining Distinct Identities and Leadership. Random House Children’s Books (RHCB),…
Reading Rainbow Returns After 20 Years With Penguin Random House Author Mychal Threets as Host
October 3, 2025
After a nearly 20-year absence, Reading Rainbow will return with a new series on the YouTube channel KidZuko, hosted by Mychal Threets, Penguin Random House author and Mychal the…
Higher Ground to Launch “IMO: The Look” Podcast Series With Michelle Obama on November 5, Featuring Live Events Alongside Book Release
October 16, 2025
Higher Ground, the media company founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, today announced a special six-part limited companion series to its hit podcast IMO…
Our Upcoming Author Events
September 22, 2025
The Penguin Random House Communications team invites you to discover some of the Penguin Random House Author Events we’re looking forward to this week! Every Monday, a curated selection of…
