Philosophy | Cathy C. Hall Writes

The last week in September is Banned Books Week, which does NOT mean that the American Library Association and a bunch of other illustrious organizations are jumping up and down, trying to get books banned.

It does mean we’re all jumping and down for the freedom to read what we choose to read.

Now, I’ll be the first to say that there are books out there that little bitty kids probably shouldn’t read. And maybe some books that grown-up kids wished they’d never read. But deciding what to read (or not read) should be an individual’s choice (or a choice discussed with a parent in the case of younger students). Because, frankly, there are some folks out there who have a very strange idea of what’s improper reading material. Just take a look at this map of banned books to see what I mean.

I’ve read most of the books that have been banned somewhere, sometime. Honestly, my mother let me read all kinds of books when I was a kid. And I survived with my morals, values, and political views (such as they are) intact.

It’s all about Freadom, whether you’re a writer, a reader or both. No question about it.

You may recall me mentioning here on the Hall of Fame that I attended an Elton John/ Billy Joel concert.

Here’s where I wrote about that little adventure again, in an oh-so-humorous way. I mention this so you’ll know that, from time to time, I write about the adventures from my oh-so-personal life. That’s what writers do. All the time.

So, if you were to, say, get lost three different times going to the same place (like a Junior Hall did recently), you might show up in a witty column. Or you might show up in a short story as the character affectionately called “Wrong Way.”

Just thought I’d tip you off, in case you read something someday and think, “Wait a minute. That could be me, except that I don’t have a big, old wart on my nose.“

It’s probably not you. But it could be you. Especially if you do have a big, old wart on your nose.