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Banned books that are a must read 📚

32 items

Megan B

Books you should read because the government doesn't want you to. Knowledge is power and these are fantastic books that should be in the library of every well read person.

One of my favorite works of literature. Banned for critiques of communism and government control- which is exactly why you should read it.

Animal Farm - George Orwell

Required reading in college that was male centric; spoke of classes, friendship. Has some hard moments but a great read.

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini: Books

Was once required reading but now banned because it makes people feel “uncomfortable” about race and society's prejudice. Gripping story from the eyes of a young girl in the South, seeing her father (white) stand up for a black man accused of a heino...

To Kill a Mockingbird (Pulitzer Prize Winner)|Paperback

Written in the 30s as fascism was on the rise, this talks about society in the not so distant future. A future where society is controlled by the powerful elites, pharmaceuticals and technology. A truly thought provoking book about the loss of indivi...

Brave New World | Paperback

Short (112 pages) but emotionally heavy, this Great Depression–era novel explores friendship, loneliness, power, and moral responsibility. It feels simple on the surface but carries a lasting emotional weight that hits much deeper.

Of Mice and Men | Paperback

This one is unsettling in the best way. It’s a dystopian read about control, autonomy, and how power creeps in quietly, and it feels way too relevant for comfort. Not an easy read emotionally, but absolutely worth it.

The Handmaid's Tale | Paperback

A Child Called It is one of those books that’s incredibly hard to read, but impossible to forget. It’s short, raw, and emotionally intense, and it really makes you sit with themes of resilience and survival. Based on a horrific child abuse case in Ca...

A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive|Paperback

Yes…The book series we grew up with is considered a “banned book”. The reasoning is the books are scary, violent and contain occult/satanic themes. This set contains some of RL Stines most popular stories.

Goosebumps Retro Scream Collection: Limited Edition Tin | Paperback

The Catcher in the Rye is one of those books people either love or can’t stand, and that’s kind of the point. It’s a very personal, voice driven read that captures teenage alienation (16 year old expelled from prep school), cynicism, and that in betw...

The Catcher in the Rye | Paperback

The Giver is one of those deceptively simple books that hits harder the older you get. It’s an easy read on the surface, but it quietly explores control, choice, and what’s lost when comfort matters more than truth. A great pick if you like thoughtfu...

The Giver (Newbery Medal Winner) | Hardcover

This is one of those books that feels like you’re peeking into someone’s very real thoughts (because you are). It’s a powerful memoir written by a young girl while her family was in hiding during World War II, and it quietly explores hope, fear, and ...

The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition

It’s short, hilarious, and painfully relatable, especially if bedtime has ever felt like a full time job. Best enjoyed by adults who are very, very tired.

Go The F*ck to Sleep

The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” It’s a dystopian read about surveillance, control, and how language and truth can be manipulated, and it feels unsettlingly relevant.

1984

Ender’s Game is a fast, addictive sci-fi read that’s way deeper than it first appears. As part of a series, It digs into leadership, morality, and the pressure placed on kids to grow up too fast, all wrapped in a gripping, high stakes setup. Easy to ...

Ender's Game|Paperback

Fahrenheit 451 is a classic dystopian read that still feels uncomfortably relevant. It looks at censorship, distraction, and what happens when people stop thinking for themselves, all in a really accessible, quick read. Thought provoking without bein...

Fahrenheit 451: A Novel

It starts off pretty straightforward and then gets uncomfortable in a quiet way. It’s an easy read, but it really shows how quickly things can fall apart when there’s no structure. Not fun exactly, but interesting in a “wow, that’s dark” way.

Lord Of The Flies

Where the Wild Things Are is a quick, nostalgic read that somehow still hits as an adult. It’s imaginative, a little wild, and captures big emotions in a really simple way. Perfect if you want something cozy, familiar, and comforting. Still love the ...

Where the Wild Things Are (Caldecott Medal Winner)|Paperback

Where the Sidewalk Ends is pure nostalgia in book form. It’s funny, weird, and easy to flip through, whether you’re reading one poem or twenty. Perfect for when you want something light that still feels clever.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings|Hardcover

Slaughterhouse-Five is strange in a way that somehow works. It mixes dark humor with heavy topics, but it never feels stuffy or hard to read. If you like books that don’t play by the rules and trust you to keep up, this one’s worth a shot.

Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death|Paperback

Something that was once required reading is now banned. Based around Janie, an African American woman in the South, you get to follow her finding her voice and peace after overcoming many personal trials and failed love.

Their Eyes Were Watching God|Paperback

Great book and movie. Banned for portrayal of Somali people and seen as American propaganda.

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War | Paperback

Takes place in Savannah, GA, this novel has some of the best characters. A redneck gigolo, con artists, well bred society types and the secrets you don't speak about. A great story revolving around a murder. Great movie as well.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil |Paperback

The Grapes of Wrath sounds intimidating, but it’s way more readable than people expect. It’s emotional without being over the top and gives a really human look at hardship and resilience. Not light, but very approachable and easy to get into.

The Grapes of Wrath (Pulitzer Prize Winner)|Paperback

"That's some catch that catch-22". Catch-22 is chaotic in a way that’s actually kind of fun. It’s absurd, sarcastic, and purposely confusing at times, but that’s part of the charm. Great if you like dark humor and books that don’t take themselves too...

Catch-22|Paperback

The Call of the Wild is a really easy, fast read that doesn’t feel old or boring. It’s outdoorsy, a little intense, and surprisingly emotional in places. Good if you want a classic that actually keeps your attention.

The Call of the Wild (Chiltern Classics)|Paperback

The Great Gatsby is short, easy to read, and way messier than people expect. It’s all about ambition, image, and things not being as perfect as they look. If you like drama under pretty packaging, this one’s a classic for a reason.

The Great Gatsby: The Only Authorized Edition|Paperback

Go Ask Alice feels raw and unsettling in a very real way. It’s written like you’re reading someone’s private thoughts, which makes it hard to put down. Definitely not a light read, but it pulls you in fast.

Go Ask Alice |Paperback

The Jungle is intense but surprisingly readable. It pulls you right into a world that feels chaotic and unfair, and it’s one of those books that makes you go, “wait… this actually happened?” Not exactly fun, but definitely eye opening. Helped to lead...

The Jungle (Signature Classics) |Paperback

A Separate Peace is quiet, emotional, and very character focused. It’s more about friendship, jealousy, and growing up than anything dramatic happening on the page. If you like reflective, coming of age stories, this one’s an easy recommendation.

A Separate Peace |Paperback

The Lord of the Rings sounds intimidating, but it’s honestly just really immersive once you settle in. The world building is incredible without feeling rushed, and it’s the kind of story you sink into over time. Great if you want an epic that actuall...

The Lord of the Rings|Paperback

For Whom the Bell Tolls is quieter and more emotional than people expect from Hemingway. It’s reflective, a little heavy, but still very readable. If you like character driven stories with a serious tone, this one’s a solid pick.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (The Hemingway Library Edition) |Paperback

A Farewell to Arms is emotional in a very quiet, understated way. It’s more about love, loss, and how war messes with people than action or heroics. Sad, simple, and very human without feeling dramatic about it.

A Farewell to Arms (The Hemingway Library Edition) |Paperback