Every year libraries across the US dedicate the last week of September to Banned Books Week (BBW). This event is based on the principle of intellectual freedom: the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular (American Library Association). This year BBW is celebrated from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2 with a theme suggested by Voltaire: “Think for yourself and let others do the same.”

The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections.

Would your life have been different if you hadn’t read one of these often-challenged books? This year, these books made the list of top 10 challenged books. Check one out from the Rio Hondo College Library and celebrate Banned Books Week!