Controversy stimulates our minds and causes us to question our choices.  Many fiction authors are seen to write as a means of catharsis, as a means of easing emotions of loneliness, fear, grief and isolation for their readers.  Provoking controversy is also an outlet for authors to explore themselves.  Even fantasy may contain elements of reality. How can we verify?

The idea of dreaming up controversies can also sell books.  Some of your favorite books may not get nearly as much attention as you think they deserve.  Little do we realize how much and what kind of attention authors will receive. Would all notoriety be good for authors and  books? 

Many viewpoints have been expressed about books which raise controversy and question the limits of censorship and freedom of speech.  Consider the reasons for public outcries about books you would or would not choose to read. The following are samples of books which repeatedly raise eybrows. What are your own views? 

1) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2) 1984 by George Orwell

3) Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck

4) Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

5) Forever by Judy Blume 

6) Brave New World  by Aldous Huxley

7) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

8) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

9) Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

10) The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

11) The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

12) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

13) The Bible by ~40 authors over a period of about 1500 years