In a time when we often find ourselves divided instead of united,

Be reminded, there is only one force that overcomes fear and hate,

LOVE makes US great!

Welcome to the eighth month of LOVE makes US great! This blog will follow a monthly formula. Fourth week – bringing more love to our communities and planet. Let’s start loving.

Today I went into a brick and mortar bookstore. I love that there are tables with themes to spark interest – beach reads, historical fiction, folk horror – and now, Banned Books. Until this year, banned book sections were not a “thing” in bookstores, the library, or online. Now they are. 

As I browsed the titles, many were classics from my high school and college years. Here are a few titles from the table: To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Catcher in the Rye, Anne Frank Diary of a Young Girl, and even Where the Wild Things Are.

How did they go from required reading to banned books? I’ll let you answer that one yourself.

I have always loved books and reading. Books allow me to explore places, spaces, and minds that are different from my own. I can travel the world and glimpse into varied communities through reading. I can explore the vast diversity of life experiences and points-of-view. My life is richer because of the stories and learnings others have shared.

Exploring different perspectives is love in action for our world community.

The best thing about banned book lists is that they are a ready made must read and re-read list. I recently re-read 1984. It is a thousand times more haunting now than it was when I was in high school.

What is your next banned book read?

Love requires participation. Love requires sharing. Love requires action. Love requires commitment. 

With gratitude,

Joyce Aiko

(yes, love really is my middle name)

With gratitude,

Joyce Aiko

(yes, love really is my middle name)