14th Annual Banned Books Readout with Pizza

The University Library, Department of Journalism, Pride Center, and Queer Studies Program will host the 14th Annual Banned Books Readout “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read” on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Jack & Florence Ferman Presentation Room, University Library. The keynote speaker will be author Francesca Lia Block, and she will be giving a talk on Blacklists and Bans: Two Generations vs. Oppression.

Francesca Lia Block, M.F.A., is the author of more than thirty books of fiction, non-fiction, short stories and poetry, and has written screenplay adaptations of her work. She received the Spectrum Award, the Phoenix Award, the ALA Rainbow Award and the 2005 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as other citations from the American Library Association and from the New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly. Her work has been translated into many languages. In addition to writing, Francesca is a beloved and devoted teacher and edits LIT ANGELS on Substack.

CSUN Professor of Journalism Elizabeth Blakey will provide remarks titled “In a World Where Libraries are Under Attack,” and her Journalism 480 History of American News Media class will give readings. RSVPs are invited but not required through University Library website. Join us for pizza at 11:15am before the event starts. The event is free and everyone is welcome!

Books Presented During the Readout

• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
• Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
• Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

RSVP

RSVP on the Library Event Page