In a shocking turn of events that would make George Orwell do a double-take, book banning has become the hottest trend in U.S. schools since fidget spinners.

PEN America’s latest report reveals that over 6,800 book bans were enacted during the 2024-25 school year, targeting everything from LGBTQ narratives to teen romantasy novels. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee are leading this censorship parade, proving once again that some states are determined to keep their students intellectually locked down.

The Banned Book Lineup

The hit list includes some absolute bangers like Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange” and Malinda Lo’s “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” - books that apparently threaten the delicate sensibilities of school administrators. Sarah J. Maas, the romantasy queen, found herself with not one but two titles banned, solidifying her status as a literary rebel.

Why We Should Care

This isn’t just about books. It’s about suppressing voices, experiences, and perspectives that don’t fit into a narrow, comfortable worldview. LGBTQ stories, stories about addiction, coming-of-age narratives - these are the very texts that help young people understand complex human experiences.

The Bigger Picture

As Kasey Meehan from PEN America puts it, we’re witnessing a disturbing “normalization of censorship” that feels eerily reminiscent of the McCarthyism era. The message is clear: some folks would rather silence uncomfortable truths than confront them head-on.

So, Bay Area fam, stay woke, keep reading, and remember: a banned book is often the most interesting book.