Recs if you like The Holy Bible: English Standard Version...

Books that are banned/challenged most often in the United States, based on data from the American Library Association. Resist censorship 🛑

This isn't MY list. These are the foundational texts of the Western Canon. Up until the early 1900s, these were unquestionably part of any educated person's background. Austen, Lewis, Twain, James, Sayers, Tolkien....what do you think they grew up reading that informed the genius works they created? Their masterpieces didn't materialize out of thin air. This list is by no means comprehensive, but you'll be off to a solid start.

the 100 most frequently challenged/banned books in the US during the 2010s (for series, only the first book is listed)

(also: list is in reverse order because I added them in order from first to last)

IN PROGRESS AS OF MAY 2026 (I'm rewatching it and trying to put everything in chronological order of the show T.T) - Every single book directly mentioned, referenced in a joke, or clearly seen in the show Gilmore Girls, because I'm obsessed and challenging myself to read them all. I'm also including if they mentioned a movie that's based on a book.

List from metal bookmark