Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten YA Book Series

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Seriously. I don't need to explain this one, do I? But, just because I love you all oh-so-dearly, I will. It doesn't really get much better than Harry Potter. I grew up with this series. And, though it began as a fun, adventurous tale of friends, we got more depth, more darkness and more drama as the series progressed. Seriously...it's perfection.

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - When I started blogging, I swore up and down that I'd never read this series. I said that I hated vampires, I hated insta-love and there was absolutely no way I would ever like this series. Then, Jenny told me I had to read it...as did everyone else...so I tried it, and I've been hooked since. Love me some Dmitri. 

3. Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan - Okay, technically this is probably leaning more towards MG, but I read YA, and I still loved it. A fellow blogger introduced me to it in my first few months of blogging, and I read every book within a month. They're fast-paced, they're witty, they're funny...and, and, and...I love it.

4. Redwall by Brian Jacques - So, sue me. This is the uber-nerd in me coming out. They're books with lil' cute fuzzy animals as the main characters, but they're every bit as human as you and me. Trust me. I grew up with these books, and I proudly display them on my shelves today! 

5. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman - This series is surrounded by controversy because if its supposed anti-religious undertones. Guys, I'm pretty dang religious, myself, but if you read a book for the sheer enjoyment of the prose and the story, it's better than analyzing those hidden messages. Plus, the world within these books is pretty freaking phenomenal. 

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth - Usually when a series is this surrounded by hype, I tend to steer clear of it. For some reason though, I really felt the need to read and become invested in this story, and boy did I ever. The author has created one heck of an adventure within these pages, and I'm completely enthralled with every installment.

7. The Last Survivors by Susan Beth Pfeffer - You guys might be surprised to see this one on my list because of how I said the second and third book were definitely not my favourites, while I adored the first book. However, I can't lie...the author has created one seriously bleak world, and it's very real and tangible, despite my feelings. And, let's be honest, I'm invested enough to read the upcoming fourth book despite my feelings toward the third book. That's saying something.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I have mixed feelings on this series. On one hand, I just love it. Is it the best written work out there? No. Is it a fantastic, dark, edgy story? Yes. Despite the fact that the series is now this over-hyped craze out there, I really like this series and I'm glad that, despite my initial reservations, I gave it a go. It's worth it. 

9. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - I didn't think I'd like this series when I first started. I didn't think I'd like a book with a male MC because I was pretty positive that I wouldn't be able to access the MCs emotions. I was really, really wrong. I introduced this series to just about anyone who would listen to a single word I had to say, simply because I love it that much.

10. The Jenna Fox Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson - I was late to the game with the first book. In fact, I passed it over many, many times at the bookstore, just because I thought it wouldn't capture me. I was definitely wrong, and I was lucky enough to have read it within about 6 months of the sequel being released, which was equally awesome. Read it and love it. You will.

Talk to Me Tuesday is a brand new weekly meme where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty. Questions for the next week will be posted one week prior to the post on the Features page. If you'd like to participate in this weekly feature, simply create your post, link back to me, and add your post to the wonderful Mr. Linky below. Have fun, and have at it!

This week's question: How do you feel about book banning and censorship?

Let me preface this post by saying that all I’m about to say is of my own personal and humble opinions. If you’re offended by what I have to say, don’t read it…and with that, I think that leads pretty well into the Talk to Me Tuesday topic of the day. We’re in a day and age where people seem to think that book censorship and banning is productive, or at the very least, useful. If you don’t believe me, you’ve probably been hiding under a rock. Some of the most powerful authors have had their books come under attack because of the content being deemed “offensive.” Now, I’m a conservative Catholic with a strong and pretty sheltered upbringing, but I can firmly state that I am completely opposed to book banning and censorship.

Take, for example, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It’s the story of a young girl learning to overcome her rape which, obviously, was brutal and traumatic. She lashes out. She’s angry, and yet, she overcomes. There are some people, however, that have called Speak a work of filth and “soft-core porn.” So where do you draw the line? The book educates teens about the importance of raising your voice for yourself. It expresses the need for self-worth and overcoming. Other books like Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler are criticized for being “loose,” as well, and while I’m not one for the casual sex scenario, that’s really not the point of the book.

Then, you have people banning books like the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. This series has been challenged and banned based on its fairly blatant criticism of organized religion. As a devoutly religious person, yes, I recognize the references, and sure, I’m not the biggest fan, but aren’t we all entitled to our opinions? Reading The Golden Compass at surface-level only let me enjoy the world the author created without being offended by the opinions or religious context. In the same breath, Harry Potter is being challenged in many areas because of the, and I quote “Pagan” context. Really? That’s utter ignorance.

Here’s what some of your fellow bloggers had to say about book banning and censorship:

Danna from Friendly Reader says, “I hate book banning and censorship. It’s stupid, and there’s really no need for it.”

Aimee from Coffee Table Press says, “Society shouldn’t be able to tell people what they are and aren’t allowed to read based on what they think is inappropriate.”

John from Dreaming Reviews says, “It’s douchery. People ban books because they’re ignorant of the content and misinterpret them to meet a twisted agenda.”

Ashley from What’s Your Story Book Reviews says, “Book banning is the product of extreme ignorance. Some people can’t see the true message, so they shun it.”

Ivy from Ivy's Updates says, “I think it can’t be something one person decides. Every parent and every individual has the right to decide for themselves what is and isn’t right for them and their children.”

Here’s what I really mean to say: Not everyone is going to like every book. Not every book is going to be appropriate for every audience. However, if you are only reading a book to harp on the small details that should be overshadowed by the purpose of the book, perhaps you shouldn’t be reading it to begin with. Yes, there are some books I’d rather not read based on their content, but I have the right to make an informed decision, and an author should have the right to write their own stories. So, you don't like a book? Nobody is forcing you to read it, so don't force others NOT to read it. Just a thought... always remember to #speakloudly.

Want to weigh in and do your own Talk to Me Tuesday post for this week? Go ahead and link up!