Comparative Reality

I was reading an article about the American Library Association's list of "challenged books" for 2009. And, shock of shocks, the Twilight books showed up. But only as number 5. I guess vampires and werewolves are not enough on their own to take the top spot.

No, that goes to the "IM" series, of which I am completely unaware. But just feel the moral indignation wash over you: "...criticized for nudity, language, and drug references."

Sure, of course people would object to foul language (I'm assuming; or maybe they just didn't like the grammar?). And drug references? Another obvious choice.

But...nudity? In a novel? As in saying that a character is naked? Honestly?

Like this?

Character One's clothes dropped to the floor. "Look at me, Character Two. I am naked. I stand here, without clothing."

Character Two looked at Character One, who was naked. "Yes, I can see that you are naked. And not wearing clothes. My, you are very naked."

I know: That's pretty hot, right? That's causing all sorts of immoral thoughts to careen around your head. The thing is, another book was cited as a challenged book because it contained "nudity, language, sexual content." So "nudity" and "sexual content" are separate items.

The nudity part is just the author saying that a character is naked. I guess. At least, that's all I can figure.

And that is so completely insane. The whole notion of banning books is ridiculous enough, but banning them because a child might see the word "naked"?

The insanity of that just makes my brain ache.

(Oh, and please stop banning Catcher in the Rye. It just makes people want to read it, and that's just cruel.)