Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using a link, but at no cost to you.

Banned Books Reading Journal

One thing I’ve really appreciated during my page-travelling journeys, and that many of us take for granted, is the freedom to read.

It happens so often that I’m researching the best books to read about a certain place, to discover that some of the most key voices have been silenced.

Books are banned for many reasons: politics, religion, values and beliefs… ranging from the most absurd and conservative interpretations of children’s books (um, Alice in Wonderland, really?) to the justifiable prevention of spreading hate (I mean, who wouldn’t relish burning a copy of Mein Kampf?).

So I designed this rebellious reading journal as a kind of side quest to my regular Read Around the World challenge and Nomad Book Club.

It contains 100 of the world’s most controversial books, details of their bans and restrictions, as well as space for independent book review and reflection.

Enjoy!

They tried to ban these books. You’re about to read them anyway.

Every entry includes:

When the book was published
Why it was banned or restricted
A plot summary
An author biography
A dedicated book review page to record your thoughts

You’ll also find 10 blank entries to add your own discoveries because there are always more forbidden stories waiting to be read.

This is more than a list, it’s a guided reading challenge for readers who question authority and value free expression. Part reference guide, part reading journal, this book invites you to understand the history of censorship and form your own opinions about the stories others tried to suppress.

Join the rebellion. Track your progress. Read what they didn’t want you to read.

Books

15 Classic Banned Books That Shaped Literature

Amy Poulton March 6, 2026

Books

15 Children’s Banned Books Through History You Should Know

Amy Poulton February 27, 2026

“Exploring Literature Beyond the Usual Bestseller Lists”

I picked this up as a fun reading challenge and ended up discovering several books I had never heard of before. The layout is well organized, and I liked having space to record my own thoughts after each title. A great journal for anyone who enjoys exploring literature beyond the usual bestseller lists.

“A Quiet Act of Rebellion”

This isn’t just a book, it feels more like a quiet act of rebellion sitting on your shelf. The idea of working through 100 banned or controversial titles gives it a sense of purpose, like you’re not just reading for fun but actually exploring history, censorship, and all the reasons certain stories made people uncomfortable. I liked how each entry gives you just enough background to understand why the book mattered without overwhelming you.

“Extremely Valuable”

What a great book! I'm a retired English teacher but I still work with some students privately on reading and composition. I love the info on each book (where banned, why banned, plot summary, author bio). It was enlightening for me, and I consider myself moderately knowledgable about books. Often times when I'm working with students, getting their buy-in is tough. This helps! Kids love to read things to find out why it was controversial, and this is a great list of books to choose from. I find this book extremely valuable.