February was not meant to be my month to read books subjected to a ban, whether in school, prison, or overall. But here we are.

Book 1: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Thanks to my cousin Suzanne for recommending this wonderful novel. Set in Germany and France during World War II, it presents some of the impossible challenges faced by children of war-torn Europe.

Male protagonist Werner is a child genius who just happened to be born in Germany. When the orphan’s talents in radio technology are discovered, he’s sent to a boarding school designed to mold the next generation of Nazi leadership. Werner’s struggles are complicated and neverending.

The female protagonist is teenaged Marie-Laure, who is blind. Reading that critics complained of “extensive sensory details” in the author’s writing style just makes me shake my head.

The story gave me a bit of a Titanic vibe. See what you think …

Book 2: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Sure enough, even this classic mystery was subject to a ban. Not for content, but – in 1953 – because of the author’s political beliefs.

Just a chapter or two in, the term “hard-boiled detective” popped into my head. Sam Spade was just such a rough and gruff fellow – and grossly misogynistic. Not sure if I’ll ever watch the Bogart movie, but I’ll gladly return to (soft boiled? scrambled?) Agatha Christie mysteries soon.

Book 3: Candide by Voltaire

Another banned book – this one upon publication in 1759.

The author, Monsieur de Voltaire, used a pseudonym because he had already been locked up in the famous Bastille prison for his criticism of religion and politics. He wasn’t about to give up on his biting satire.

Candide’s story, as he all-too-slowly rises above the “best of all possible” teachings of his youth, is one well worth an evening’s reading.

Book 4: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Janie’s life story is painful yet beautiful to read. Her relationships with men show her personal growth as she searches for both independence and love in the early 20th-century Deep South.

My favorite quote from this 1937 novel is at the end of Chapter Two, when Janie’s grandmother, a former slave, asks for understanding. “Put me down easy, Janie, Ah’m a cracked plate.”

Book 5: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Black History Month began in 1976, the year I graduated high school, so I must admit to having some catching up to do.

Frederick Douglass’s narrative is stunning as he tells of growing up a slave. His writing style comes across as nothing but raw truth, without a hint of hyperbole. (Of course, a prison in Illinois disagrees, banning the book for being “divisive.”)

Douglass escaped to the North in 1838 and put his story in writing in 1845. Although it’s not a long book, I found it took multiple sittings, as the cruelty described is absolutely brutal.

Book 6: Bumps in the Road by Maria McErlane

This memoir by Graham Norton‘s partner as a radio agony aunt is cleverly told by tracing Maria’s love of bicycling. (We in America would call them advice columnists; I much prefer the term “agony aunt” though. Unfortunately, after 13 years on radio, Graham wants his weekends back, so their show just went off the air.)

Each chapter establishes which bike Maria was riding during that part of her life. From Catholic school girl to beach-resort chambermaid, from actor to standup comic, Maria shares her life’s stories and advice.

Yes, there are ups and downs and Maria gets a bit preachy, but it’s mostly a fun read. My favorite moment was a quote near the end from an elderly Irishman out bicycling. As he passes her on a hill – huffing and puffing – he remarks: “Sure this old bike is slowing down.”

And speaking of Irish, March will be a month full of Irish authors, including this fella:

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