Banned Book Week!

It’s Banned Books Week and you know we here at Rich in Color have to participate in our own special way. This week is important to us as close to 4,240 unique titles (according to the ALA) were challenged in libraries and schools in 2023. The ALA Banned Book Week site states “Pressure groups in 2023 focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers.” The majority of the books are by LGBTQ+ authors and authors of color. It is clear that more diverse voices need to be heard which is our mission at Rich in Color and why we support Banned Books Week. Each day one of our contributors will post a Banned Book they love and share what it means to them.

If you are interested in reading all about Banned Books, click on the link to view this years Book Banned Data.

First up…Contributor Jessica. Her book is, Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu. She states, “I chose this graphic novel because first of all, I loved reading this fun, heartfelt hockey webcomic collection. It’s a queer romance and coming of age story, and it’s been targeted for book banning and restricted reading, like many LGBTQ book. It’s important to be clear who is being targeted in these bigoted book bans: books centering marginalized perspectives and stories.”

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

The hilarious and heartbreaking confessions of a figure skater turned collegiate hockey player who’s terrified of checking . . . and is desperately in love with the captain of his hockey team.

Eric Bittle is a former Georgia junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and amateur pâtissier. But as accomplished as he is, nothing could prepare him for his freshman year of playing hockey at the prestigious Samwell University in Samwell, Massachusetts. It’s nothing like co-ed club hockey back in the South! For one? There’s checking. Second, there is Jack—his very attractive but moody captain.

A collection of the first half of the mega-popular webcomic series of the same name, Check, Please!: # Hockey is the first in a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life.

If this novel appeals to you, show your support by visiting your local library or purchasing a copy at Bookshop.org.