SHEPHERDSTOWN – On March 2, Four Seasons Books will be launching a new book club, focused on reading and discussing the books that have been challenged, censored and even outright banned.

The Banned Book Club is a response to the growing wave of book bans across the country. Thousands of books have recently been targeted by book bans, according to research by PEN America.

The book club will aim to foster thoughtful conversations about the importance of intellectual freedom and access to diverse stories, according to Four Seasons Books event manager Julia Young.

“At a time when book challenges are increasing across the country, we believe it’s more important than ever to create spaces where people can engage with these books and discuss why they’ve been targeted,” Young said. “The rise in book bans isn’t just about restricting access to certain stories, it’s about controlling narratives and silencing voices.”

She noted that the Banned Book Club will meet on the first Sunday of each month at 5 p.m., running from March through August. Each session will include an open discussion of the selected book, examining its themes, the reasons behind its censorship and its broader cultural impact.

Those who would like to encourage their children to also think about this topic are encouraged to bring them to Banned Book Storytime, which will be held at 2 p.m., on the same day as some of the Banned Book Club meetings.

“Join us for Banned Book Storytime, where we celebrate picture books that have been challenged, censored or banned,” Young said. This is a great opportunity to introduce little readers to the power of books, even the ones some people don’t want them to read.”

The next Banned Book Storytime will feature Tomie dePaolo’s “Strega Nona.” The book, which is geared toward those ages 10-and-under, was banned due to its depiction of witchcraft, according to Young. It will be followed in June with the reading of a book that was banned for its LGBTQ+ themes and depictions of Pride celebrations, “This Day in June,” by Gayle E. Pitman.

The book selections for the Banned Book Club’s coming year are: March’s selection of Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” which was banned for its themes of censorship and book burning, as well as language and content some deemed inappropriate; April’s selection of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which was challenged for its depictions of gender oppression, sexuality and political themes; June’s selection of Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” — one of the most frequently banned books due to its LGBTQ+ themes and graphic novel format; July and August’s summer tandem reading selections of Sandra Newman’s “Julia” and George Orwell’s “1984,” which were banned for their anti-government themes, depictions of totalitarianism and sexual content.

“Banning books doesn’t make difficult topics disappear,” Young said. “It just makes it harder for people, especially young readers, to engage with ideas, perspectives and histories that challenge them to think critically. The more a book is banned, the more it deserves to be read.”

With this thought in mind, Four Seasons Books will be looking for further ways to highlight banned books. It is seeking to partner with local libraries, free speech organizations and authors to enhance discussions and provide additional resources on this subject. The bookstore also plans to invite guest speakers, including authors of frequently banned books and experts on censorship, to share insights at select meetings.

The Banned Book Club and Banned Book Storytime are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit Four Seasons Books’ Banned Book Club page or follow Four Seasons Books on social media for updates on upcoming meetings, book selections and guest speaker engagements.