I received a call from a distressed author friend today. He was upset because his books hadn’t been banned. Surprisingly, he saw this as a negative thing, believing that being part of the "banned books" trend was crucial for publicity and sales. He explained how banned books are currently in the spotlight, with special displays in top bookstores and online lists.
Despite his efforts to provoke controversy by including a sympathetic gay character in his latest novel, his book went unnoticed. To potentially boost his book’s banning chances, we brainstormed ideas like bribing someone to complain about it or creating a story with a protagonist who wants to ban books entirely.
Later, my neighbor excitedly showed me her haul from a bookstore, filled with items like a bag, bookmark, socks, and tees all celebrating banned books. The conversation turned to classic authors like Conrad, sparking curiosity about which of his works are still popular today.
The enthusiasm for banned books merchandise was evident, with items like a onesie reading, "If I could read, I’d read banned books," stealing the show. The community’s interest in banned books seemed to be growing, with people proudly displaying their support for literary works that push boundaries.