Raven Books

I Stand with PEN America Against Book Bans and Censorship We must all fight against the forces that are attacking our fundamental freedoms – including our freedom to read.

This #BannedBooksWeek, PEN America is joining forces with more than 30 groups Standing Together for the Freedom to Read.

Together, we call for the end to the authoritarian tactic of banning books.

Learn more—and take the pledge to stand together against book bans at: act.pen.org/a/standing-t...

Image features writer Toni Morrison smiling against a dark background with abstract script. On the left, the PEN International logo appears in white. The quote reads: “My respect for this organisation has no borders—PEN has been fierce, so consistent and ferocious in its efforts that it is hard to ignore their impact worldwide.” — Toni Morrison

32 years ago today, Toni Morrison became the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

A long-standing member of PEN America and Vice President of PEN International, Morrison was a fierce advocate for writers whose voices were silenced.

The Most Banned Books of Our Time Tell a Troubling Story—and the Pattern Is Hard to Ignore See what the fuss is all about.

Oprah Daily took a deep dive into ALA's historic lists of Top 10 Most Challenged Books
to find the 25 most censored titles of the past 25 years. Want to stand up for free speech? Start reading.
https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/g68849151/most-banned-books-today/
#BannedBooksWeek

YouTube video by Banned Books Week BBW 2025 from The Big Chair - Author, Tiffany Jackson

"I believe in kids. I believe that this influx of book bannings that are happening over the last couple of years will only encourage kids to be better, honestly."

Tiffany D Jackson on the power of young people.

youtu.be/kPANuBnILMQ?...

w/@sagepub.com

#BannedBooksWeek #CensorshipIsSo1984

With me, poetry has been not a purpose but a passion, and the passions should be held in reverence ~Edgar Allan Poe

Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is by far the best ending for one. ~Edgar Allan Poe

YouTube video by Banned Books Week George Takei, Banned Books Week 2025 Honorary Chair

"Those who ban books want to lock away ideas they fear. But in truth, they are trying to steal our freedom."

#BannedBooksWeek honorary chair @georgetakei.bsky.social encourages all of us to stand up for the freedom to read! #CensorshipIsSo1984

youtu.be/qwtzX15AKvQ?...

The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls. ~Edgar Allan Poe

In fairness, who *doesn't* need this book?😄

Without comment

Without comment

Sure wouldn't you be bored if everything went according to plan

Wouldn't be surprised if they'd call live-line quicker than the gardaí

A small fire at the front of the bookshop was started last night after rubbish bags that were awaiting collection were set on fire. The guards don’t have reason at this time to believe it was a targeted attack. Thankfully the damage was limited and everyone is safe. We are open for business as usual

Bottom corner of a 17th century book showing drawings

Title page of 'Epigrammes' by Ben Jonson, showing doodles at the bottom of the page

Delightful doodles of some pipe smoking Georgians found by Maddock Fellow Danielle Magnusson on the works of Ben Jonson, printed in 1616 #Readers #Epigrams

A fabulous initiative from Blackrock Councillor @marthafanning.bsky.social - next Saturday at Urban Junction (just up the road from us) 👻🎃🧙‍♀️

The Blackrock drama this Monday afternoon is a cash delivery van with the guys locked inside and an alarm on repeat 🚨WE ARE BEING ATTACKED - CALL THE POLICE🚨

Given how much I give out about people wearing headphones in the shop.... 😂

It's been going on for quite a while so if they have it's made no difference whatsoever. In the best Irish tradition there has been a healthy dose of tutting, frowning, and eye-rolling.

The Blackrock drama this Monday afternoon is a cash delivery van with the guys locked inside and an alarm on repeat 🚨WE ARE BEING ATTACKED - CALL THE POLICE🚨

Roddy Doyle, Chair of judges, on returning back to normal life after reading 153 books as part of the Booker Prize judging process.

This clip was extracted from the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist livestream and is provided courtesy of the Southbank Centre.

That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful. ~Edgar Allan Poe

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

Oh my goodness. What a gift she was!

Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ the city is under russian missile attack right now ‼️ its a broad daylight, Sunday!

Brilliant to see this. I get so weary from the massive waste and cost to the environment that is caused by purchase of cheap Halloween costumes that are only worn once. Would be great to see this take off in other areas, kudos to @marthafanning.bsky.social

A fabulous initiative from Blackrock Councillor @marthafanning.bsky.social - next Saturday at Urban Junction (just up the road from us) 👻🎃🧙‍♀️

Gorgeous Sunday swim ☀️