Today is the official start date of Banned Books Week 2013!

Google has coordinated several Hangouts on Air throughout the week with highly acclaimed banned/challenged authors. Check out the list below for more details. Feel free to share the events and invite your friends. We’d appreciate any and all support to help spread the word!

9/23: PEN American Center and the ALA Presents: A Live Hangout On Air with Sherman Alexie

9/23: Banned Books Week event: Author Mark Vonnegut reads from Slaughterhouse-Five and discusses his father’s experiences with censorship

9/24: Google+ and BookTrib Presents: A Live Hangout On Air with Jay Asher

9/24: Celebrate Banned Books Week – Discover What You’re Missing: Jamie Ford and Friends Celebrate the Freedom to Read

9/24: CBLDF Presents: Brad Meltzer on Banned Books Week, a Google+ Hang Out!

9/25: Lauren Oliver and Friends: Banned Books Week

9/26: PEN American Center Presents: A Live Hangout On Air with Erica Jong

We hope you enjoy celebrating your freedom to read during Banned Books Week! Donate $10.00 to help support our initiative by texting ALABBW to 41518. Go to ala.org/bbooks/text-to-give for more information.