Banned Books Week 21-27 September

http://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/exhibitions/banned/index.aspx

We should be able to read, hear and see what we want as adults, right?

But what about books (or films, internet sites, music) which may offend?

Books containing erotica, content about illegal drugs, and end-of-life issues are frequently attacked on the grounds that they are offensive. Historically you could add to this list books that contained minority views on politics, religion, sexuality and morality. Controversy on whether books should be censored or banned has been around as long as books have been banned. 
When a book provokes and enlightens, or even horrifies it is usually a great read. Books like this open up our perspectives to on what it life is like for others from different backgrounds and in different contexts. Consider the following classic books; should they be banned, have some censorship or should anyone who wants to, be able to read them?
For a more comprehensive list of some books banned in Australia browse this website
More recently in the USA the following titles have had complaints lodged against them :
  1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
    Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence
  2. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
    Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence
  3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
    Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
  4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James
    Reasons: Nudity, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
  5. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
    Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
  6. A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl, by Tanya Lee Stone
    Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit
  7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
    Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
  8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
    Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
  9. Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
    Reasons: Occult/Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit
  10. Bone (series), by Jeff Smith
    Reasons: Political viewpoint, racism, violence
Currently The Peaceful Pill Handbook by Philip Nitschke and Fiona Stewart is banned from sale or import in Australia by the Office of Film and Literature Classification, because of its content on assisted suicide.