Banned--Or Simply Shunned?

[Perior]

Just as a publisher has the right to publish what they please so is it the right of a bookstore to carry what it pleases. I'm sure we all have read the rules of Writer's Digest website to keep it readbale for teenagers; that does not mean hard and engaging subjects it means how they are presented.

[KeithMN]

Sheri2867 - 2007-06-23 6:00 PM

Very interesting thread...how did I miss this one?

A very large bookstore chain here in Canada does not sell Mien Kamf by Adolf Hitler. The CEO is Jewish. That should answer why they don't carry this title. Is that right or wrong? I'm on both sides here. If you are an owner of a retail store, you can sell or not sell whatever the heck you want. That being said, I think Mein Kamf was an interesting book because it allowed readers to get into the mind of a psychopath. I didn't read it because I agree with what he stood for--absolutely, positively not. I read it because I was curious how a person can be born an innocent baby and end up becoming a horrifying monster.

That's a completely different scenario from that of the original post, though. They can't be compared. Personally, I don't need to know how the mind of a psychopath works. My belief is that you don't need to lift the lid off the sewer to find out what's inside. (No offense intended toward you're having read it.)

If we say that a bookstore can choose to carry, or not carry, whichever books they want because it's their store, (which is true) that really doesn't leave much room for debate, does it? ABC Bookstore doesn't have the book I want. Too bad. I'll try 123 Bookstore instead. Who said we have to like every book a bookstore carries? There are books that I would prefer bookstores not to carry, but the only power I have over that is to choose not to shop in those bookstores, if I feel strongly enough about it.

[abqwriter]

Something is not "banned" until the government deems it unfit for public consumption.

Nobody banned this book.  Private enterprise dictates that whoever has the money gets to decide what goes on the shelves.  My grandpa ran a country store in deep Mississippi years ago.  He refused to stock red chile sauce.  He did, however, sell a lot of Tobasco sauce.  He knew what would sell and what wouldn't, and that's how he decided what went on the shelves.

No difference here.

Even if a bookstore is a national chain, do we really want to force them to waste shelf space on something that the owners have decided won't sell?

[CandyApple]

WARNING: TEENAGE WRITER RESPONDING

I don't really care whether Borders banned or shunned the book. I don't care about the marketing reasons as to why they chose not to carry it. All I know is that, this book is not at Borders for some reason that sparked an article in Writer's Digest. Sweet! Now I'm gonna go find it, buy it, and read it! Personally, I hope one of my books does become banned or censored. People will definitely read it then! Embrace the controversy and your teenage audience struggling for some form of rebellion!

As to the idea put to question: "Do you think it's OK for bookstores not to carry a book based on theme?"

No. I think censorship, in almost every circumstance, is wrong. The book in question was theoretically declined because of its mature content influencing an "immature" audience--teenagers. Please, please, please world! Stop trying to sugar-coat everything and protect me from the evil forces of sex and drugs! I think teenagers know a lot more than adults give them credit for. Teens know about topics surrounding sex before they even hit puberty. Some know more than many adults. Trying to ban books is not going to help teens understand the consequences of being sexually active. In fact, books on that topic may actually help us understand and make better decisions. Give us the benefit of your adult wisdom instead of trying to protect us. It only hurts us in the end when we become so curious about this mysterious thing called "sex" that we go and try it without any previous knowledge.

[abqwriter]

CandyApple - 2007-10-23 12:24 PM WARNING: TEENAGE WRITER RESPONDING I don't really care whether Borders banned or shunned the book. I don't care about the marketing reasons as to why they chose not to carry it. All I know is that, this book is not at Borders for some reason that sparked an article in Writer's Digest. Sweet! Now I'm gonna go find it, buy it, and read it! Personally, I hope one of my books does become banned or censored. People will definitely read it then! Embrace the controversy and your teenage audience struggling for some form of rebellion! As to the idea put to question: "Do you think it's OK for bookstores not to carry a book based on theme?" No. I think censorship, in almost every circumstance, is wrong. The book in question was theoretically declined because of its mature content influencing an "immature" audience--teenagers. Please, please, please world! Stop trying to sugar-coat everything and protect me from the evil forces of sex and drugs! I think teenagers know a lot more than adults give them credit for. Teens know about topics surrounding sex before they even hit puberty. Some know more than many adults. Trying to ban books is not going to help teens understand the consequences of being sexually active. In fact, books on that topic may actually help us understand and make better decisions. Give us the benefit of your adult wisdom instead of trying to protect us. It only hurts us in the end when we become so curious about this mysterious thing called "sex" that we go and try it without any previous knowledge.

Bad part of the "adult wisdom" is the decision that a book will be a financial sink-hole instead of bringing money into the bookstore.  Bookstores are not charities and have no obligation to carry any book that won't help the bottom line of their business.

My daughter, a teenager, reads books all the time with adult themes.  We talk about things.  She asks me questions, and I always give her honest answers. 

Not wasting shelf space on a book and keeping teens in the dark are two different issues.  One is a financial decision, the other is called parenting.

By the way, welcome to the forum.  Great to see a teen writer so passionate and articulate!

[loudermilk]

I can only offer a POV from the bars I frequent. In most of the bars I visit, they have a sign posted: "We have the right to refuse service to anyone." If they ever refuse to serve me for whatever reason, I'll go somewhere else.

It will hurt me a little, yes, but I'll find another place to go.

[abqwriter]

loudermilk - 2007-10-23 3:12 PM

I can only offer a POV from the bars I frequent. In most of the bars I visit, they have a sign posted: "We have the right to refuse service to anyone." If they ever refuse to serve me for whatever reason, I'll go somewhere else.

It will hurt me a little, yes, but I'll find another place to go.

It might hurt a lot if you get tossed out on your ear!

[MonikaM]

Sometimes controversial writings can be reason for banning and even posting illicit messages can also lead to banning.

[Linton Robinson]

So, did she manage to pull off losing her virginity?
Was it in the "How To" section?

[NMMillan]

The link posted isn't working so I wasn't able to read the article, but I know I have seen much more controversial themes at Borders. Perhaps the story wasn't strong enough for the company to have faith in it's success?