Though book bans aren’t new , many researchers and insiders in the book business agree that censorship efforts seem to be increasing. We at the Observer know this, too, which is why this year's Best of Dallas issue is themed around banned books .

Ahead of Banned Books Week, which is Oct. 5-11, local literacy advocates insist the fight against censorship must persist year-round.

“We're talking about it every month because [...]  it is more challenging, and I think when the lawmakers make these laws, they really don't understand what the ramifications are. What it's doing is limiting exposure,” Kathy Thomas, Half Price Books president, tells us. “[Lawmakers] need to hear that not everybody believes in a certain ideology — there are people who think it is okay to have diversity and di

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