The Ultimate List of Popular Banned Books You Should Read in 2023
There are many books that have been banned or challenged at some point in history. Here is a list of some popular banned books:
“The Catcher in the Rye” is a novel by J.D. Salinger, published in 1951. It is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from his prep school. The novel follows Holden as he wanders around New York City, struggling with depression and alienation. Along the way, he encounters a number of colorful characters, including his former classmate, a prostitute, and a nun.
Holden begins the novel by recounting the events leading up to his expulsion from Pencey Prep. He talks about his roommate, Stradlater, who is a good-looking, popular student but whom Holden dislikes because he is dishonest and superficial. He also talks about his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, who tries to talk to him about his future but whom Holden finds boring and annoying.
Holden decides to leave Pencey early and spend a few days in New York before returning home. He checks into a hotel and spends his days wandering around the city, visiting various places and people. He meets a former classmate, Carl Luce, who is now a student at Columbia University. They have a conversation over drinks, during which Holden expresses his disgust with the phoniness and hypocrisy he perceives in the world.
Holden then goes to see his old friend, Phoebe, who is his younger sister. She is intelligent and precocious and serves as a foil for Holden’s immaturity and disillusionment. He confides in her about his struggles and his desire to be the catcher in the rye, someone who protects children from falling off a cliff and into adulthood.
Holden’s interactions with other characters, including a prostitute named Sunny and a nun named Sister Irma, further illustrate his struggles with depression and alienation. He becomes increasingly isolated and disconnected from the world around him, and his behavior becomes more reckless and self-destructive.
Despite its themes of adolescent rebellion and the search for identity, “The Catcher in the Rye” is ultimately a poignant and moving story about the struggles of growing up and finding one’s place in the world. It has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture and remains a beloved and widely read classic.
2. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1925. The story takes place in the summer of 1922 in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island. The narrator of the novel is Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who has recently moved to West Egg to become a bond salesman.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the roaring twenties, a time of great prosperity and excess. The main character, Jay Gatsby, is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who becomes the center of attention for Nick and the other characters in the novel. Gatsby is known for throwing lavish parties at his mansion on West Egg, but no one seems to know much about him or where he came from.
As the story unfolds, Nick becomes drawn into the world of the wealthy and privileged, and begins to uncover the secrets of Gatsby’s past. He discovers that Gatsby is in love with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and that he has been trying to win her back for years. Gatsby’s past is shrouded in mystery, and it is revealed that he made his fortune through illegal means, including bootlegging and other forms of organized crime.
Despite his success and wealth, Gatsby is ultimately unable to win back Daisy and is killed in a tragic accident. The novel ends with Nick reflecting on the corruption and decadence of the society he has become a part of, and the ultimate emptiness of the American Dream.
The Great Gatsby is a classic novel that explores the theme of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth. It is a poignant and thought-provoking examination of the societal and cultural changes of the 1920s, and continues to be widely read and studied today.
3. “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck, published in 1939. The novel tells the story of the Joad family, who are forced to leave their home in Oklahoma and travel to California during the Great Depression.
The Joads are tenant farmers, who have been struggling to make a living in the dust bowl of Oklahoma. When their farm is taken away from them, they decide to join the thousands of other families who are making the journey west to California in search of work and a better life.
As they travel, the Joads face many challenges and hardships, including hunger, illness, and the harsh realities of life on the road. Despite these challenges, they remain determined to reach California and find a better future for themselves.
Upon arriving in California, the Joads find that the reality of life in the state does not match the promise that had been made to them. The work is hard and the pay is low, and they struggle to find a place to live and make ends meet.
As the Joads struggle to survive in California, they encounter a wide range of characters, including other migrant families, union organizers, and those who seek to exploit the desperation of the migrants for their own gain.
Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses the story of the Joads to explore themes of social justice, the power of community, and the strength of the human spirit. The Grapes of Wrath is a poignant and powerful tale that remains relevant today, and is considered a classic of American literature.
4. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a classic novel written by Harper Lee, first published in 1960. The story is narrated by a young girl named Jean Louise Finch, who is better known by her nickname, Scout. The book takes place in the 1930s in a small town in Alabama called Maycomb, and it explores themes of racism, prejudice, and social inequality.
The story begins with Scout’s childhood, in which she lives with her brother Jem and their father Atticus Finch, a lawyer. Atticus is a moral and fair-minded man who tries to teach his children the value of empathy and understanding towards others. Despite this, Scout and Jem often find themselves at odds with the small-minded and bigoted attitudes of their neighbors and community members.
One of the main conflicts of the novel revolves around Atticus’ defense of a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been falsely accused of raping a white woman. Atticus is appointed to defend Tom in court, and he does so with dignity and integrity, despite facing intense prejudice and backlash from the community. Through Atticus’ defense of Tom, the novel explores the destructive power of racism and the importance of justice.
Another important character in the novel is Boo Radley, a reclusive neighbor who is feared and misunderstood by the townspeople. Scout and Jem are fascinated by Boo and spend much of their childhood trying to catch a glimpse of him. Eventually, they come to understand that Boo is not the scary monster they thought he was, but rather a kind and gentle person who has been hurt and isolated by the narrow-mindedness of others.
Throughout the novel, Scout grows and matures as she grapples with the complex social issues of her time. She comes to see that the world is not as simple as she had once thought, and that people are not always who they seem. She learns to question the prejudices of her community and to stand up for what she believes in, even when it is difficult.
Overall, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that tackles important themes of racism, prejudice, and social inequality. Through the eyes of Scout, the reader is given a glimpse into the complexities of human nature and the importance of standing up for what is right.
5. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
The Color Purple is a powerful and poignant novel that tells the story of Celie, a young African American woman growing up in the early 20th century in rural Georgia. The novel is narrated through a series of letters that Celie writes to God, and it tells the story of her difficult and often brutal journey towards self-discovery and independence.
Celie is subjected to abuse and exploitation from the men in her life, including her father and her husband, Mister. Her father impregnates her twice and then gives her away in marriage to Mister, who is abusive and controlling. Despite all of this, Celie remains resilient and finds solace in her relationships with other women, particularly her sister Nettie and the charismatic blues singer Shug Avery.
Through her relationship with Shug, Celie begins to gain confidence in herself and starts to assert her independence. She also reconnects with Nettie, who has been separated from her for many years, and the two sisters are finally able to reunite and support each other.
The Color Purple is a moving and inspiring tale of love, abuse, and resilience. It is a celebration of the strength and determination of women and the enduring power of the human spirit. It is a novel that has touched the hearts of millions of readers around the world and has been adapted into a successful stage play and a popular film.
6. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez
One Hundred Years of Solitude is a novel written by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez, first published in 1967. It tells the story of the Buendía family, who founded and lived in the fictional town of Macondo, and their many generations of descendants. The novel is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Latin American literature, and has been translated into dozens of languages. It has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, which García Márquez received in 1982.
The novel follows the Buendía family through seven generations, beginning with the patriarch, José Arcadio Buendía, and his wife, Úrsula Iguarán. The couple leaves their home in search of the magical substance that gives eternal life, and eventually settle in Macondo, where they establish a new life for themselves and their descendants.
Over the course of the novel, the Buendía family experiences a wide range of joys and tragedies, including wars, revolutions, love affairs, and natural disasters. The family is also plagued by a curse that seems to follow them through the generations, causing them to suffer from various ailments and misfortunes.
One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its use of magical realism, a literary technique in which fantastical elements are woven into otherwise realistic narratives. This allows the novel to explore themes such as time, memory, and the human experience in a unique and imaginative way.
Overall, One Hundred Years of Solitude is a sweeping epic that tells the story of a family and a town through the lens of magic and folklore. It is a rich and complex work that has inspired countless readers and writers around the world.
7. “The Bible”
The Bible is a collection of texts that are considered sacred and authoritative by Jews and Christians. It is composed of the Old Testament, which contains the texts that are considered sacred by Jews, and the New Testament, which contains texts that are considered sacred by Christians.
The Old Testament is divided into three main sections: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. The Law, also known as the Torah, is the first section and contains the five books of Moses, also known as the Pentateuch. These books include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Prophets is the second section and contains the books of the prophets, who were believed to have received divine revelations. The Writings is the third section and contains a variety of texts, including poems, hymns, and histories.
The New Testament is divided into four main sections: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Apocalypse. The Gospels are accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, written by four different authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Acts of the Apostles is a book that describes the spread of Christianity and the activities of the early church, written by the apostle Luke. The Epistles are letters written by various authors, including Paul, Peter, James, and John, that provide guidance and instruction for Christians. The Apocalypse is the final book of the New Testament and is also known as the Book of Revelation. It is a prophetic vision of the end of the world, written by the apostle John.
The Bible is a central text in Judaism and Christianity, and it has had a profound influence on the beliefs and practices of these religions. It is considered to be the Word of God, and it is revered as a source of wisdom and guidance for believers. The Bible has also had a significant impact on literature, art, and culture, and it continues to be studied and interpreted by people all over the world.
8. “The Quran”
The Quran is a religious text that is considered to be the holy scripture of Islam. It is believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel, and is written in Arabic. The Quran is divided into 114 chapters, or surahs, and is typically read from a printed version or recited from memory during daily prayers. Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal word of God and that it contains the revealed truths of Islam. The text is considered to be a source of spiritual guidance and moral instruction, and is revered by Muslims as a sacred and divinely inspired text.
The Quranic revelation is believed to have occurred over a period of 22 years, and the text is traditionally believed to have been compiled by the Prophet’s companions after his death. The Quran is considered to be the primary source of Islamic law and doctrine, and is used as a reference point for legal and moral guidance in many Muslim-majority countries. It is also widely studied and analyzed by scholars and students of Islam, and is often memorized in its entirety by devout Muslims.
The Quran is an important part of the Islamic faith, and is central to the daily lives of Muslims around the world. It is recited in daily prayers and is considered to be a source of inspiration and guidance for believers. The text is also widely translated and available in many languages, making it accessible to people of different linguistic backgrounds. Overall, the Quran is a revered and central text in Islam, and is considered to be a source of divine guidance and spiritual enlightenment for Muslims.
9. “The Diary of Anne Frank”
The Diary of Anne Frank is a non-fiction book that was written by Anne Frank while she was in hiding from the Nazis during World War II. The book is a personal diary that was written over a two-year period, from June 12, 1942 to August 1, 1944.
Anne Frank wrote about her life in hiding, as well as her thoughts, feelings, and observations about the events of the war and the world around her. The diary was eventually published after Anne Frank’s death in the concentration camps and has since become one of the most widely read and influential books in the world.
It has been translated into dozens of languages and has been adapted into numerous plays and films.
10. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
“The Alchemist” is a novel by Paulo Coelho that tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd who embarks on a journey to find his personal legend and fulfill his dreams. Along the way, Santiago meets a series of characters who help him to understand the importance of following his heart and listening to his inner voice.
The story begins when Santiago is tending to his sheep in the fields of Andalusia, Spain. He has a recurring dream in which a child tells him that he will find a hidden treasure if he travels to the pyramids in Egypt. Despite his initial skepticism, Santiago decides to follow the dream and sets out on a journey to the pyramids.
As Santiago travels, he meets a number of people who teach him valuable lessons about life and the nature of the universe. One of these people is an old king who tells Santiago about the concept of a personal legend, or the unique purpose that each person is meant to fulfill in life. The old king advises Santiago to follow his heart and to listen to his inner voice, because this will lead him to his personal legend and ultimately to happiness.
Santiago also meets an alchemist, a wise and mysterious figure who teaches him about the power of the universe and the importance of living in the present moment. The alchemist tells Santiago that everything in the world is connected, and that by following his heart and trusting in the universe, he will be able to achieve his dreams and find his personal legend.
Throughout the novel, Santiago faces many challenges and obstacles as he tries to find his personal legend. He is often tempted to give up or to take the easy way out, but he persists and eventually learns to trust in the universe and in himself. In the end, Santiago discovers that his personal legend was to find a hidden treasure, and he returns home a wiser and more fulfilled person.
“The Alchemist” is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that has inspired readers around the world with its message of hope, courage, and the power of dreams.
11. “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut
“Slaughterhouse-Five” is a novel by Kurt Vonnegut that tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II veteran and survivor of the Allied bombing of Dresden. The novel is structured as a series of interconnected vignettes that follow Billy’s life from his childhood to his death, with a particular focus on his experiences during the war and his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden.
The novel begins with a brief prologue that introduces the reader to Billy’s life after the war. He has become a successful optometrist, but he is haunted by his memories of the war and his time in Dresden. The novel then jumps back in time to Billy’s childhood and follows his life chronologically from there.
Billy is drafted into the army and sent to fight in World War II. He is captured by the Germans and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Dresden, where he is held in a former slaughterhouse known as Slaughterhouse-Five. While in Dresden, Billy witnesses the Allied bombing of the city, which destroys much of the city and kills thousands of people. Despite the horrors of war, Billy manages to survive and is eventually released from the camp.
After the war, Billy struggles to readjust to civilian life. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is unable to shake the memories of his experiences in Dresden. He becomes increasingly isolated and disconnected from the world around him.
Despite his struggles, Billy finds moments of joy and meaning in his life. He falls in love and starts a family, and he finds solace in the companionship of other war veterans who share his experiences. As he grows older, Billy comes to terms with his past and learns to live in the present, embracing the beauty and wonder of the world around him.
“Slaughterhouse-Five” is a powerful and moving novel that explores the human experience of war and its aftermath. It is a poignant tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of tragedy.
12. “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury
“Fahrenheit 451” is a novel by Ray Bradbury that tells the story of a future society in which books are banned and critical thinking is discouraged. The novel follows the life of Guy Montag, a fireman who is responsible for burning books and suppressing intellectual dissent.
The story is set in a dystopian society where books are seen as a threat to the government’s control over the population. The government has banned books and encourages people to spend their time consuming mindless entertainment, rather than engaging with challenging ideas.
Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn books and the houses where they are found. He is a loyal servant of the state, but he begins to question the morality of his work after he meets a young woman named Clarisse, who encourages him to think for himself and to question the status quo.
As Montag begins to read the books he is supposed to burn, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the society he lives in. He starts to see the value of literature and the importance of free thought, and he becomes determined to fight against the censorship and oppression that dominate his world.
Montag’s transformation is not easy, and he faces fierce resistance from the government and his colleagues. He is pursued by Captain Beatty, the head of the fire department, who tries to convince Montag to return to his old ways. Montag’s wife, Mildred, is also opposed to his newfound beliefs, and she threatens to turn him in to the authorities.
Despite the challenges he faces, Montag remains committed to his cause. He joins a group of rebels who are fighting to preserve books and knowledge, and he becomes a fugitive in his own society. In the end, Montag is able to escape to a place where books are valued and where people are free to think and express themselves as they choose.
“Fahrenheit 451” is a thought-provoking novel that explores the dangers of censorship and the importance of free expression. It is a powerful warning about the dangers of conformity and the need to defend intellectual freedom.
13. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a novel by Oscar Wilde that tells the story of a young man named Dorian Gray who is given a magical portrait that allows him to retain his youthful appearance while the portrait ages in his place. The novel explores themes of beauty, youth, and the corrupting influence of power and pleasure.
The story begins when Dorian is introduced to Lord Henry Wotton, a sophisticated and cynical man who introduces Dorian to the concept of hedonism, or the pursuit of pleasure as the ultimate goal in life. Dorian is captivated by Lord Henry’s ideas and becomes determined to live a life of excess and indulgence.
As Dorian embarks on a life of hedonism, he is aided by a magical portrait that has been painted of him by the artist Basil Hallward. Dorian discovers that the portrait will age in his place, allowing him to retain his youthful appearance and beauty indefinitely. Dorian becomes obsessed with the portrait and begins to neglect his own health and well-being in favor of preserving his youthful appearance.
As Dorian becomes more and more self-indulgent, he begins to distance himself from his friends and loved ones, including Basil and his fiancée, Sibyl Vane. He becomes increasingly cruel and selfish, using his beauty and charm to manipulate and exploit those around him.
Despite the warnings of Lord Henry and others, Dorian remains determined to live a life of pleasure and excess. He becomes increasingly depraved and indulges in a series of destructive and immoral behaviors, including drug use and murder.
In the end, Dorian’s actions catch up with him and the portrait reveals the true extent of the damage that his hedonistic lifestyle has caused. Dorian is left to confront the consequences of his actions and the emptiness of his pursuit of pleasure.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a cautionary tale that explores the corrupting influence of power and pleasure and the dangers of vanity and self-indulgence. It is a thought-provoking and timeless novel that continues to resonate with readers today.
14. “The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy
“The God of Small Things” is a novel by Arundhati Roy that tells the story of a family in India and the ways in which their lives are shaped by the social and political changes of the time. The novel is set in the small town of Ayemenem in Kerala, India, and follows the lives of Estha and Rahel, twin siblings who are struggling to come to terms with the complexities of their family and their place in the world.
The novel opens with the funeral of their cousin, Sophie Mol, who has drowned under mysterious circumstances. The story then moves back in time to the twins’ childhood, when they were caught up in a series of events that would have far-reaching consequences for their family.
Estha and Rahel are the children of Ammu, a divorced woman who has returned to Ayemenem to live with her mother and her brother, Chacko. Chacko is married to Margaret Kochamma, a British woman who is struggling to adapt to life in India. The family is also connected to Velutha, a member of the “untouchable” caste who works as a carpenter for Chacko’s pickle factory.
As the twins grow up, they are exposed to the tensions and conflicts that exist within their family and their community. They are affected by the social and political changes of the time, including the rise of communism in Kerala and the tensions between Hindus and Christians.
Throughout the novel, Estha and Rahel struggle to find their place in the world and to come to terms with the tragedies and losses that have shaped their lives. They are drawn together by their shared experiences and their bond as twins, and they find solace in each other’s company.
“The God of Small Things” is a beautifully written and evocative novel that explores the complexities of family, identity, and the ways in which the past shapes the present. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that has won numerous awards and has been widely praised by readers and critics alike.
15. “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller
“Catch-22” is a novel by Joseph Heller that tells the story of Captain John Yossarian, a US Army Air Forces bombardier serving in World War II. The novel is set on the fictional Mediterranean island of Pianosa and follows Yossarian’s experiences as he tries to survive the war and the absurd bureaucracy that surrounds him.
The novel is structured as a series of interconnected vignettes that follow Yossarian’s experiences as he tries to avoid flying dangerous bombing missions. Yossarian is part of a squadron of airmen who are under the command of the eccentric and callous Colonel Cathcart, who is more concerned with increasing his own status and reputation than with the well-being of his men.
Yossarian is driven to desperation by the absurdity of the war and the bureaucracy that surrounds him. He is confronted by a series of Catch-22s, or seemingly impossible situations that prevent him from achieving his goals. For example, he is told that he cannot be discharged from the army because he is mentally unstable, but he cannot be declared sane because he wants to be discharged.
As Yossarian tries to find a way out of the war, he is aided by a cast of eccentric and memorable characters, including the chaplain, the insane Major Major Major, and the beautiful nurse, Nurse Duckett. Despite the absurdity and absurdity of the war, Yossarian is able to find moments of joy and meaning in his relationships with these characters and in his efforts to survive.
“Catch-22” is a darkly comic and absurdist novel that has become a classic of modern literature. It is a biting commentary on the madness of war and the ways in which bureaucracy and authority can undermine individual freedom and dignity.
This is just a small selection of banned books, and there are many more that have been challenged or banned for various reasons. Some books are banned for political or religious reasons, while others are banned because of their content or themes.
