Free Expression

The sponsors of Banned Books Week are asking booksellers to respond to a short online survey, which will help organizers improve the only national celebration of the freedom to read.

Effective January 1, the operations of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression will be integrated into ABA’s in order to expand the free speech programming available to independent booksellers.

Richard Flanagan wins Man Booker Prize for Fiction; First Amendment groups challenge Idaho school’s parental consent form; Eric Schwartz joins Columbia University Press as editorial director

ABA and the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association are urging New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to veto a bill that discriminates against independent bookstores that mistakenly disclose customer information to the police and other third parties.
 

With the recent release of the paperback edition of Stephen Jimenez’s controversial The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths About the Murder of Matthew Shepard, ABFFE President Chris Finan reflects on the failed efforts to force 23 bookstores to cancel their events for the book last year and announces plans for an ABFFE program at Winter Institute.

Banned Books Week is being celebrated in bookstores throughout the country from September 21 – 27 with special events, displays, videos, and more. 

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and five independent bookstores are among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in federal court this week challenging a new Arizona criminal law that bans nude images.

Booksellers are responding enthusiastically to the latest Banned Books Week promotion from Ingram Content Group and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.

Booksellers who place orders for 30 or more books from an expanded list of banned or challenged titles before October 3 will receive an additional discount from Ingram, as well as a free “Banned Books Week in a Box” display kit.

Starting August 20, booksellers can view a list of more than 450 banned and challenged titles via Ingram’s ipage®. Orders of 30 or more books per store entitle purchasers to a “Banned Books Week in a Box” display kit and additional discounts on initial and subsequent orders.

Though “Banned Books Week in a Box” promotional kits are all gone, booksellers can still take advantage of Ingram’s additional discount on a list of 200 banned or challenged books. ABFFE is also offering a promotional kit, including bookmarks, buttons, bumper stickers, and more, for $25 plus free shipping.

A new addition to the array of resources available to stores celebrating Banned Books Week (September 22 - 28) is a banned books list compiled by ABFFE that highlights a greater number of recent titles in addition to classics.

Inspired by last year’s positive response to its Banned Books Week display, Michigan’s Literary Life Bookstore & More has expanded plans for this year’s September 25 - October 2 celebration of the freedom to read.

Jon Scieszka Named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

The Library of Congress has named Jon Scieszka (The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Viking) as the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. The appointment is for a two-year term. As National Ambassador, Scieszka will encourage the appreciation of young people's literature throughout the U.S. through both personal and media appearances.