Staff Picks: Our Favorite Banned Books
We asked our staff to share their favorite books that have been banned throughout history. Celebrate the books that have made us think, allowed us to express ourselves, and given a voice to the stories and experiences within their pages. Find resources for parents, educators, and more here.
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Add to BookshelfThe Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
“I read this book when I was in college and I remember being fascinated by the premise and obsession with youth and beauty. Way ahead of its time for a book published in 1891, Wilde’s only novel was originally subjected to much criticism — something that, sadly, is still true today. It’s an important text, which draws heavily from Shakespearian themes, astutely reflecting on the inner soul and outward perception.” —Sarah Mangiola, Director of Content Marketing
“It’s important but also fun to read a book from an entirely different century! The Picture of Dorian Gray was written in the Victoria Era so the language sends you back in time automatically. When I opened the book, the writing transported me into a cobblestone, small, lantern-lit London street. The story itself is mysterious in its tone and also feels peculiar, it is so captivating, and I felt like I was walking down the small, lantern-lit cobblestone London street with Lord Henry himself.” —Victoria Squirlock, Manager, Social Media
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$24.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Bluest Eye
by Toni Morrison
“This book infinitely changed my life when I read it for the first time at sixteen. I remember it being the most important book I had read until that point, not only for the prose but for how Toni Morrison captures what we all, especially Black people and people of color, might feel regarding our beauty as humans. It was such a powerful experience reading it with my entire class, all young women, and having everyone walk away changed.” —Daniela Ayuso, Senior Manager, Multicultural Marketing
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$17.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
“I vividly remember reading The Diary of Anne Frank as a kid and feeling such a connection to this young, Jewish girl who was a lot like me, but living in inconceivable circumstances. Her story connected me to my religion and my ancestors, and brought the tragic history of the Holocaust to life in a way that built empathy, understanding, and hope.” —Erica Curtis, SVP of Consumer Marketing
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$28.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
“As a French-Iranian woman, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is one of my favorite graphic novels that holds great importance in terms of Iranian history and culture. It is a stunning and inspiring memoir about Satrapi’s childhood, who grows up when Shah’s regime was overthrown and leads into the time of the Islamic Revolution. The illustrations are incredibly powerful and the entire novel covers in great detail the history of the Revolution and the lasting effects on families, young women, and Iran as a whole.” —Olivia Oudinot, Senior Manager, Community Research
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$16.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Born a Crime
by Trevor Noah
“Born a Crime is funny. It’s insightful. It’s inspiring. It is also a powerful perspective on growing up biracial, navigating the complexities of race and identity, and experiencing the injustices and enduring effects of systemic racism.”—Court Clinch, Director, Marketing Analytics
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$20.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck
“I read The Grapes of Wrath in high school and its ending has stayed with me all these years later. A heartbreaking novel that sheds light on the harsh realities of the Great Depression and explores themes of social justice and inequality, serving as a powerful symbol of resilience.” —Jennifer Clare, Senior Manager, Content Marketing, Brightly
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe
“Things Fall Apart is a thought-provoking and devastating novel set in the late 1800s about one Igbo man’s way of life and his futile resistance to British colonization. I absolutely recommend reading it – it’s a short book that effectively shows the emotional and historical repercussions of patriarchal society, colonization and racism, and religious hypocrisy.” —Kathryn Monaco, Manager, Content Marketing
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$16.00Buy from Other Retailers:
