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By Jonathan Goetz
February 19, 2024 (La Mesa) -- World Book Day is an annual event organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. The main purpose of World Book Day is to encourage people of all ages to discover the joy of books and reading. It also aims to support authors and publishers by raising awareness of their work and protecting their rights, according to Bing's Copilot. It is celebrated on February 23 in many countries around the world, including the United States.
The San Diego County Library offers a wide variety of books, as well as e-books and Kindle books, all free to readers. Or find a list of top-rated San Diego County bookstores here: visitcalifornia.com/bookstores-san-diego/
East County is home to Maxwell’s House of Books in La Mesa, rated as one of the Top 50 Indie Bookstores in the United States by the Huffington Post. In 2017 David Moye reported, "Maxwell’s has a lot of rare academic and scholarly titles as well as other hard-to-find titles. The owners are happy to engage in deep conversations about the books. It’s in a cozy neighborhood in a San Diego suburb and I feel like everyone is stopping by to say, ‘Hi.’”
More recently, a lot of the talk has been about banned books. Banned books are books that have been censored or challenged in schools and libraries for various reasons, such as their content, language, or themes. Maxwell can tell you about banned books and why it is so important to continue reading, as well as the importance of East County Magazine within La Mesa and the greater East County.
Some of the banned books are available at Maxwell’s House of Books, including:
"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker
"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
"1984" by George Orwell
"Animal Farm" by George Orwell
"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
"Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
"The Handmaid’s Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Barnes & Noble is a renowned retail bookseller and a leading provider of content, digital media, and educational products. With approximately 600 bookstores across the United States and a premier e-commerce site, BN.com, it has a significant presence in the literary world. B&N has at least two East County locations, one in La Mesa Grossmont Center, and another on Mission Gorge Road, in Santee.
In 2023, several books faced challenges and attempts at removal from libraries and public-access spaces. These bans often targeted books written by or about people of color and those related to the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some of the most frequently challenged books, according to Bing's Copilot:
“Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe: This insightful and frank memoir explores the experience of being nonbinary and asexual.
"And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell: A story about bonded penguins Roy and Silo, and their adopted egg.
“This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson: A book that delves into LGBTQ+ experiences and identities.
"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews: A novel about friendship, loss, and self-discovery.
“Crank” by Ellen Hopkins: A powerful novel that tackles addiction and its impact on a teenager’s life.
“A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas: The second book in the fantasy series “A Court of Thorns and Roses.”
“Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Pérez: A historical novel dealing with race, love, and tragedy.
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie: A coming-of-age story about a Native American boy navigating life on and off the reservation.
“Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison: A novel exploring themes of identity, ambition, and social class.
These books, despite facing challenges, play a crucial role in promoting diversity, empathy, and understanding. Reading diverse books not only broadens our perspectives but also enhances literacy and fosters a more equitable society.
World Book Day is a great opportunity to celebrate your love of books and reading, and to discover new and exciting stories. You can join the celebration by reading a book, sharing a story, dressing up as your favorite character, or just pick up a book laying around your house with a goal to read for five minutes, and see if five minutes don't turn into twenty.
Editor's Note: Maxwell's House of Books is a supporter of East County Magazine
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