Banned Book Soapbox

It is Banned Book Week here in the States. There are many aspects to this week, highlighting books that have been banned for various reasons, authors and individuals who may be black balled, and most importantly enjoying the fact that here in the USA nobody goes to jail for what they read.  To me that is the
most important part of this week is to remember that while certain organizations might try and "ban" a book from their own particular shelves, one can rest easy knowing that you will not be raided, arrested and jailed just because you choose to read a book that is on somebodies naughty list.  We also have to remember that this freedom needs to be constantly monitored and not taken for granted, we need to ensure that while
parents and certain institutions may have the right to keep an eye on their minor's reading material on the whole everybody should have a way to access every word ever written down. No person should ever have the right to read taken away in any way shape or form, we need to promote literacy in every language, we need to ensure access to every type of book, story, report, manuscript and article is pervasive, we need to encourage reading of various authors, genre's and ideas.  This is what will hopefully keep us able to think for ourselves and be aware of what is going on outside of our little homes. This access to ideas and information will enable us to not only keep, but enjoy the freedoms that other people do not have.  Please remember that every time you walk into a book store and have shelves and shelves of books to choose from, or go online and have your pick of pretty much anything you can think of that it is a freedom many others in the world do not have.  The fact that we don't even think about being in any more trouble then "if mom catches me reading this book she will ground me for life" (which we all know is only about 2 weeks max) instead of having to be fearful of your neighbor catching you reading it which would result in a possible life sentence in jail is a wonderful wonderful thing and we need to try and not take it for granted.  Ok so this has totally turned into a school essay so I will get off my soap box now and go read a book of my choosing, happy to know that I will not be jailed for it (only slightly ridiculed by certain folks with no imagination )

What banned books have you read?  Do you ever stop and think how awesome it is that you can pick up any book from the Bible to 50 Shades of Grey without fear of imprisonment?  What books have you personally banned from your own shelves?