Banned Books In Texas You’ll Want To Read Anyway

Banned Books Week is nearly upon us and that means now is the great time to revisit some of the classics that have either been banned, or have been attempted to be banned. And of course, Texas is right in the middle of it all. Year after year, our state ranks near the top when it comes to book bans, with everything from timeless classics to modern bestsellers ending up on the “too hot for school” list. If there’s a banned books debate, chances are Texas is front and center, and honestly, that just makes these titles even more tempting to read.

What Is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week is basically a nationwide shout-out to stories that someone, somewhere, decided readers shouldn’t have access to. It started back in 1982, when book challenges were on the rise, and it’s been going strong ever since. Libraries, schools, and book lovers use the week to highlight titles that have been banned or challenged, not just to stir the pot, but to remind us why the freedom to read matters.

Think of it as the ultimate reminder that books are powerful. They challenge us, make us think, and sometimes make people uncomfortable, which is exactly why they’re so important. And since Texas usually lands in the spotlight for banning more books than almost any other state, Banned Books Week always hits extra close to home here.

If you're looking to celebrate these are some of the most talked-about banned books in Texas, stories that have sparked debate, hit headlines, and still found their way into the hands of readers who refuse to put them down.

For all us book lovers we know that banning books doesn’t make their ideas disappear, it just makes people more curious to read them. Whether you’re revisiting a classic or checking out a modern bestseller, celebrating Banned Books Week in Texas is as simple as picking up one of these titles and letting the story speak for itself. After all, the best way to push back against censorship is to keep reading.