News: Banned Books Week

It's Banned Books Week, an event that's been running since 1982 in "celebration of the freedom to read." It's sponsored by a wealth of significant organisations: the American Library Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Association of College Stores. If you're looking for some inspiration about which banned books to read, you can consult the American Library Association's list of the ten most challenged authors of 2007:

1) Robert Cormier
2) Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
3) Mark Twain
4) Toni Morrison
5) Philip Pullman
6) Kevin Henkes
7) Lois Lowry
8) Chris Crutcher
9) Lauren Myracle
10) Joann Sfar

It's also worth nothing that this year, as with most things, the election has also made its presence felt in the event. Much debate (largely fanned by a widely circulated e-mail) has surrounded the issue of whether Sarah Palin sought to ban books whilst mayor of Wasilla.

Update: Google is also lending its support.