Today we’re breaking the rules and reading some “offensive” books. It’s episode 244 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast and this week, we’ve got Banned Books Trivia. This week, the American Library Association has their Banned Books week. They call attention to censorship around the country and highlight books that some people may not want you to read. Some of these might surprise your while others…not so much.
The titles of the banned books are linked below in the transcript. The links take you to Bookshop.org, a fantastic site that hooks customers up with independent bookstores around the world. If you’re looking for any of these titles, check those links. You’ll be supporting this podcast and independent bookstores (and not a certain megacorp). So it’s win-win-win!
When you’re done with Banned Books Trivia, check out our other episodes or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. We appreciate your support!
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Episode Intro
Today we’re breaking the rules and reading some offensive books.
Hey gang, it’s episode 244 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast and this week, we’ve got Banned Books Trivia. This week, the American Library Associate has their Banned Books week. They call attention to censorship around the country and highlight books that some people may not want you to read.
Some of these might surprise your while others…not so much.
If you need rules or score cards check out DorkyGeekyNerdy.com. You can also find a list of all the books I’ll mention this week for your reading pleasure.
And with that, let’s get started.
The Dorky Round
- What 1985 Margaret Atwood novel takes place in the fictional nation of Gilead?
a. The Handmaid’s Tale - Aldous Huxley published what novel in 1932 featuring an Alpha-Plus named Bernard Marx?
a. Brave New World - What 1982 novel by Alice Walker was adapted into a 1985 Academy Award-winning movie, a Broadway musical, and a 2023 film adaptation of the musical?
a. The Color Purple - Despite their popularity, what series of books by RL Stein have found themselves on several banned book lists?
a. Goosebumps - What young adult dystopian sci-fi series from Suzanne Collins has been banned in several places?
a. The Hunger Games - What story about a young girl and her family hiding in an attic from the Nazis has been translated into over 70 languages?
a. Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank - What George Orwell novel added phrases like Big Brother, Newspeak, and thoughtcrime to our lexicon?
a. Nineteen-Eighty-Four - What JD Salinger novel about Holden Caulfield was original serialized from 1945 to 1946?
a. The Catcher in the Rye - Despite being banned at some libraries, what 1985 Orson Scott Card novel is on the US Marine Corps Professional Reading List?
a. Ender’s Game - What 1885 Mark Twain novel has been banned for being, “uninhibitedly vulgar”?
a. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Geeky Round
- Despite being banned, what Harper Lee novel was adapted into a 1962 film staring Gregory Peck?
a. To Kill A Mockingbird - What 2007 novel by Jay Asher was adapted into an equally-controversial Netflix series?
a. Thirteen Reasons Why - Khaled Hosseini published what 2003 novel that tells the story of Amir, a boy from Kabul?
a. The Kite Runner - What graphic novel from Marjane Satrapi is named for the ancient capital of Persia?
a. Persepolis - What 1987 Toni Morrison novel tells the story of a dysfunctional family for former slaves living in Ohio after the American Civil War?
a. Beloved - The title of what 2005 John Green novel refers to a girl and not a US state?
a. Looking for Alaska - Author Anthony Burgess claims to have written what 1962 dystopian novel in just three weeks?
a. A Clockwork Orange - What was the title of Maya Angelou’s first memoir?
a. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - It’s easy to see why what Vladimir Nabokov novel has made it to several banned book lists?
a. Lolita - What 1937 John Steinbeck novel has been banned for racist and offensive language?
a. Of Mice and Men
The Nerdy Round
- Principal Benjamin Krupp is the titular superhero in what book series by Dav Pilkey?
a. Captain Underpants - What 1970 novel by Toni Morrison tells the story of Pecola, a girl who grew up during the Great Depression?
a. The Bluest Eye - Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old boy with Autism, is the first-person narrator of what 2003 novel by Mark Haddon?
a. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Stephen Chbotsky directed what adaptation of his own 1999 novel in 2012?
a. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - What 1993 novel by Lois Lowry is required reading in some schools and banned in others?
a. The Giver - What 2017 novel by Angie Thomas sat on the New York Times Bestseller list for 50 weeks?
a. The Hate U Give - Sherman Alexie wrote what 2007 novel about Arnold Spirit Jr. living on the Spokane Indian Reservation?
a. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - What Jeannette Walls memoir has been banned for “offensive language” and being “sexually explicit”?
a. The Glass Castle - What children’s book was inspired by two real-life penguins, Roy & Silo at the Central Park Zoo?
a. And Tango Makes Three - Up until 2022, what Alex Gino novel was published under the title, “George”?
a. Melissa
Episode Conclusion
And we’re done. I hope you found some books to add to your reading list. Censorship is never a good thing and unfortunately, even in 2023, people insist on controlling access to information. Usually, it’s a control tactic to keep other points of view from being expressed.
Well, as a trivia podcast, I say we shall have none of that. Knowledge, controversial or not, is meant to be shared.
What’s your favorite banned book? Let me know on social media or through the Q&A section on Spotify.
I’ll be back next week with another thirty trivia episodes. Here’s a hint.
Critics often cite giallo films from Italy as the inspiration for what sub-genre of horror?
Well look at that. We’re knocking on the door to October. What else could be in store for the month? Stay tuned.
This was episode 244 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast.
The theme music was provided by Jason Shaw of Audionautix.com.
This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by me, Brian Rollins. Come find out what else I’m up to at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.
Thanks for listening.
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Hosted & Written by Brian Rollins
Music by Jason Shaw
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