Not surprisingly, 3 of the world’s most banned books deal specifically with sex. Here’s a brief description of them:

In “Daddy’s Roommate,” by Michael Wilhoite, A young boy describes his father’s relationship with his roommate, Frank (they “live together, work together, eat together, sleep together . . .”), and his own relationship with these men–shopping, gardening, and enjoying the zoo, beach, movies, etc. He believes that “being gay is just one more kind of love. And love is the best kind of happiness.’”

“Sex” by Madonna contains a lot of provocative photos and basically covers every sexual fantasy that one might have. activities include sex with animals, sadomasochism and “inter-generational love affairs” such as the relationship between an 11-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man.

Easily the most controversial book on the list is “The New Joy of Gay Sex.” While I won’t ask for it or any other book to be banned, I would never own it. It discusses activities such as sex with animals, sadomasochism and “inter-generational love affairs” such as the relationship between an 11-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man. These are disturbing ideas that I will protest by not supporting the author with my dollars.

Which is probably how most book-protests should be handled.

Since 1982, this annual American Literature Association event has reminded Americans not to take the democratic freedom of self-expression for granted. This year marks Banned Book Week’s 27th anniversary (September 29 through October 6). The Freedom to Read is usually observed during the last week of September each year. The Times’ book editor David Ulin takes a look at the annual event:

I’m ambivalent about Banned Books Week, which runs through Saturday. On the one hand, we clearly still need such a public affirmation, as the recent tumult over Sarah Palin and her “rhetorical” inquiries to the Wasilla, Alaska, public library show.
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On the other, Banned Books Week offers up the sort of toothless, feel-good spectacle that makes us less likely to consider the actual ramifications of free expression.
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The basic message here is one of astonishment: Why would anyone ban books when literature is such a positive and ennobling force? Yet, while I agree with that, I also believe that some books truly are dangerous, and to ignore that is simply disingenuous.

Check your local library for their Banned Books Week events.

And it was banned not because of its anti-Christian themes or magical effects, but because the said guide “appropriates too much of Rowling’s creative work for its purposes as a reference guide.” Yup, the upcoming Harry Potter series guide is not made by Ms. Rowling but by a fan of her work. According to reports, it was written by Steve Vander Ark based on his Harry Potter fan website, Harry Potter Lexicon (HPL). He denied claims of plagiarism, and says the book was intended to help readers and celebrate Rowling’s work. However, the British author didn’t see it his way, and said her creativity was being “plundered” and that it “really decimated my creative work over the last month.”

The New York judge (Judge Robert Patterson) handling the case said in his ruling that Rowling’s views had been “overstated” but he agreed with her that the Lexicon had gone beyond the fair use of her work in creating a volume of reference. He found that the Lexicon would have harmed her intention to produce her own Harry Potter encyclopedia, the proceeds of which she has promised to charity. Warner Brothers and JK Rowling, were awarded damages of £430 for each of the seven novels about the boy wizard and £3,888 for two companion books she wrote.

For high-school-ers required to read “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” it’s hard to believe that there was a time when it was one of the most banned or challenged books in American schools. Just why was it so controversial for people in the early part of the 20th Century?

It has always centered around the language of the book, although the “offending” language has changed from time. Originally, some people objected such “crude” words as “sweat.” They claim that perspiration was much less offensive and should have been used instead. Also, in 1902, the Brooklyn Public Library found offense with the novel because of the statement that “Huck not only itched but he scratched.”

But the most notorious word that many found offensive–indeed, that many still find offensive–is the word “nigger.” The truth is, it was historically accurate to use the word for that time period. And in fact, in today’s hip-hop culture, where African-Americans use it frequently among themselves, it has lost some of its sting. Still, older blacks find it offensive, especially for whites to use it. However, in the 21st Century, thankfully, few people today doubt “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’s place among American classics.

A comic book app made especially for the iPhone and iPod touch, and sold through the Apple iTunes store, has been banned due to its violent and gory content. The digital comic entitled Murderdrome was created by England-based Al Ewing and Belfast-based Paul J Holden of Infurious Comics. The ‘anning of Murderdrome by Apple prompted a plea from Infurious Comics for some sort of age rating system for the App store. As of now, there is no age rating in place, and the banning of Apps is done so at Apple’s discretion.

On the Infurious Comics blog, the comic-writing duo wrote: “Here at infurious, we would love to work with Apple to ensure a content rating system can be put in place to allow material that is no more offensive than many of the R rated films available to download on iTunes.” Murderdrome has now been put online by Ewing and Holden so that their fans don’t miss out on their latest creation.

This is such an adrenaline giving ride that people with heart and other problems are banned from riding it! Imagine 90 feet of free fall thru air – such a rush!! But diseased hearts can’t definitely take it. Anyway, get ready to SCREAM for the ride of your life!

A Russian court has banned a book about Adolf Hitler by the late historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, saying quotes attributed to the Nazi leader insult Russians and Jews. The banned book is 1953 “Hitler’s Table Talk: 1941-1944″, which records Hitler’s sometimes racist ramblings on a wide range of topics. Russia’s Prosecutor-General said in a statement that texts published in “Hitler’s Table Talk” are of “an anti-Slavic and anti-Semitic character”.

He said that “a host of statements by A. Hitler in the book insult the dignity of Russian and Jewish peoples who are presented in quotes as inferior and primitive people because of their nationality.” The Prosecutor-General said certain Hitler quotes in the book — such as “Russians are beasts,” “Slavs are a mass of inborn slaves” — had caused offence. The book will now be put on a national list of extremist works that are banned and owning or distributing it would then be illegal.