On Aug. 2, the Utah State Board of Education released a list banning 13 books, many of which are romantic fantasy novels. As a romance author, I feel the ban is unwarranted and harmful. Furthermore, I feel the ban is based on several misconceptions.
First: There is nothing crude about love and sexuality. Romance books bring wholesome experiences to curious minds and those who feel unloved or unwanted. It is better for children to read than seek alternative and more dangerous delinquencies.
Second: Romance books are not pornography or erotica — which is a different genre and has a different focus than romance. Romance novels have a central love story and happily-ever-after ending. It’s a story that is uplifting, not vulgar or troubling.
Third: Romance novels are not often taken seriously and are considered “fluff,” but they do offer substance through the protagonist’s life lessons — similar to other forms of literature.
Ultimately, those who do not wish children to read the banned romance novels should focus on restricting their own children. It should be up to the parents to decide what is proper for their children. One child’s boundaries are not the same as another’s.
These 13 books should be made accessible to those children whose parents deem the material proper. Our state shouldn’t restrict a book based on a few children’s boundaries.
Akin to the book “Fahrenheit 451,” the alarming trend of banning books is dangerous to the nation’s freedoms and ultimately restricts our right to information. And a lack of information breeds an ignorant nation, one which is unable to make intelligent decisions to better the lives of all people.
Do not take us back to book burning and shredding when we need to move forward. Protect our state’s young readers and do not ban books in our libraries.
Melissa Schack is the co-president of the League of Utah Writers Romance Chapter, and she has published three historical romance books under the name Mae Thorn.
Melissa Schack holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University. She is the co-president of the League of Utah Writers Romance Chapter, and she has published three historical romance books under the name Mae Thorn.
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