Special Banned Books Week “Counterspeak” Edition Drops September 19

Penguin Random House Launches National Promotion in Support of ABFE

Just in time for Banned Books Week 2019, which kicks off this Sunday, September 22, and runs through the following Saturday, September 28, Counterspeak will publish a special Banned Books Week edition featuring interviews with Mitchell Kaplan, president of Books & Books, and Denise Chavez, author and owner of Casa Camino Real Book Store & Art Gallery in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In this episode, the booksellers share their thoughts on why Banned Books Week is important and talk about their experiences with attempts at censorship at their bookstores.

In addition, Penguin Random House, the American Booksellers for Free Expression’s longtime ally in the fight for freedom of expression, will be empowering readers to join the fight to support the freedom to read. During Banned Books week, Penguin Random House will donate $1 to ABFE for every Penguin Random House book purchased and logged through its Reader Rewards program, up to a $20,000 donation.

Consumers have until Monday, September 30, to log into Reader Rewards. Booksellers should be sure to encourage their customers to log any PRH purchase through the Reader Rewards website. In addition, customers who purchase through the Reader Rewards program on the website should be sure to choose “IndieBound” when they click to buy their books.

Booksellers can stock up on banned or challenged books thanks to Ingram’s Banned Books Week special offer. Ingram Content Group is offering an additional discount on orders from a list of banned and challenged titles on iPage®. Orders must be placed by September 30.

The theme of this year’s Banned Books Week event proclaims “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark,” urging everyone to “Keep the Light On.” Booksellers that are promoting Banned Books Week in their stores are encouraged to send in photos and descriptions of their store displays.

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. Held during the last week of September each year, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Booksellers planning Banned Books Week celebrations or displays should register on the Banned Books Week events page, which will help the book community find your event. Make sure to tag #BannedBooksWeek and ABA (@ABAbook on Twitter or @americanbooksellers on Instagram) in social media posts. Send pictures of your Banned Books Week displays to [email protected].