Banned books seem to be everywhere. While some might claim that they are "protecting children" by challenging or banning books from schools, libraries, and other public places, what they are really doing is a form of censorship.

That’s especially true during Banned Books Week, which kicks off on Sept. 22. The yearly event not only celebrates the free access of ideas, but it also highlights the increasing efforts to ban books – especially targeting titles featuring characters or written by authors who are LGBTQ+ and BIPOC.

These Charlotte area shops provide the chance to cozy up on a couch, sip a coffee or even pet a dog while you browse and read.

More books have been challenged and removed from schools in Florida than any other state, and not everyone can afford to buy them. Here's where to go.

Two new reports provide a mixed but compelling outlook on the wave of book removals and challenges as the annual Banned Books Week begins for schools, stores and libraries nationwide

Freadom: An Evening of Anti-Censorship Book Readings and Film” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Blue Tavern, 1206 North Monroe St.

Banned Books Week kicked off Sunday across the nation, uniting authors, readers, librarians and more in the effort to combat what some data shows as a rise in censorship.