36 Books Utah Politicians Don’t Want You to Read

Book bans are nothing new. Throughout history, certain books have come under fire for content deemed inappropriate or controversial — often, that content is by and about people of color, the LGBTQ community, and other marginalized groups. As censorship of discussions about race, gender identity, and sexual orientation continues happening in schools, books on the same topics are targets for challenges and bans in public schools and libraries right here in Utah.

This year, we want Utahns to be prepared to protect their right to learn. One way to do that is by reading the books facing bans or challenges on our ACLU of Utah Banned Books Club Reading List. Read about the books below.

NOTE: The following list includes books that have been formally removed or were recently challenged for removal from public schools or libraries.

1. What Girls are Made of by Elana K. Arnold
2. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
3. Forever… by Judy Blume
4. Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
5. Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
6. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
7. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
8. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
9. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
10. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
11. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
12. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
13. Blankets by Craig Thompson
14. Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
15. Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
16. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
17. Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
18. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
19. Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
20. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
21. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
22. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
23. Bag of Bones by Stephen King
24. Breathless by Jennifer Niven
25. The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley
26. The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood and illustrated by Renee Nault
27. Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold
28. Looking for Alaska by John Green
29. Life Is Funny by E.R. Frank
30. The Haters by Jesse Andrews
31. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
32. People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins
33. A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
34. A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
35. Lucky by Alice Sebold
36. Different Seasons by Stephen King

Enjoy a new bookmark while reading one of the books on the ACLU of Utah's Banned Books Club Reading List.