TresSugar

The Hunger Games and 13 Other Frequently Challenged Sci-Fi Books

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:14:16 PDT

This month the American Library Association updated its list of frequently challenged books for the 2011 year, and one wildly popular novel is making its way up the rankings of this infamous list. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, which first appeared at number five of Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books in 2010, is now third on the list for attempts to remove its contents from school curriculum and library bookshelves. The complaints against the books include text that is anti-ethnic and anti-family, insensitivity, offensive language, occult scenes, and violence.

Despite First Amendment protection, banning or attempting to challenge books has a long history, with many cases even making it to the US Supreme Court. As the American Library Association explains: "books usually are challenged with the best intentions-to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Science fiction and fantasy books often contain these themes that some find questionable, whether it's alien life forms, magical powers, or mystical worlds. In honor of Banned Books week, we're rounding up the most challenged science fiction and fantasy books according to the ALA. Browse the list below!

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - The stories of the wizarding world are seen by challengers to have occult and violent themes.
Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer - Its movie stars may provoke pandemonium, but critics of the book say it's too sexually explicit.
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman - The series beginning with The Golden Compass is often decried for its anti-religious viewpoints.
The Giver by Lois Lowry - Despite the book's message of freedom of choice, criticisms are made for the fictional dystopia's bleak family outlook.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Offensive language, racism, and insensitivity are often cited in challenges to the future dystopian novel.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - The tale of a future world where the printed word is banned and systemically burned was criticized for offensive language.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - Children's search through space and time for their vanished father is often challenged for the inclusion of supposed witches.

Follow the break for more challenged books of the last 20 years.

Geek Love: 10 Couples From the Big and Small Screen

GeekSugar — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:02:22 PST

Romance is always a box office hit, and naturally, we're rooting for those based in the sci-fi and fantasy genre. Valentine's Day is just a few short days away, so can get into the spirit of things by looking back on these 10 geeky sci-fi and fantasy couples who finally sealed the deal with marriage.

Which is your favorite couple? Let us know in the comments!

Best of 2011: What Is Your Favorite Sci-Fi or Fantasy Show?

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:30:48 PST

With the end of the year fast approaching, it's time to name our 2011 favorites. We spent almost too much time geeking out over the latest episodes of the various science fiction and fantasy shows on TV over the year. Whether it's a mysterious man that calls himself a doctor, a journey back to prehistoric Earth, or the drama within a land called Westeros, which was your favorite sci-fi or fantasy show in 2011?

Be sure to check out the rest of our Best of 2011 coverage across the PopSugar Network!

Doctor Who and Other 2011 Hugo Science Fiction Winners

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:06:00 PDT

Every year since 1953 at the annual World Science Fiction Convention, the Hugo Awards are given to the best works of science and fantasy from the previous year. This year's winners include a worthy list of mainstream appeal, inspiring illustrations, and a certain doctor. We scouted our top five Hugo honorees for you here, and the rest of the list is available at the Hugo Awards website. Have you read or watched any of this year's winners?

Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:34:35 PDT

Books are the ultimate escape into a world that even the breathtaking effects of film magic can sometimes fail to reproduce. Recounting tales of long lost kingdoms or futures of space travel and artificial intelligence, fantasy and science fiction books take the reader into a life beyond our time, galaxy, and technological abilities.

As determined by our Facebook users, here is a nonexhaustive list of the best science fiction and fantasy books. If there's a book you'd like to see on this list, join the conversation in our Facebook group.

Sunday Confessional: I Can't Stop Fantasizing

Tres Community — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 03:05:08 PDT

This week's confession comes from our anonymous Confession Booth group in the TrèsSugar Community. Weigh in with your advice below.

I am a young lady in my late 20s married to a wonderful guy and we've been together about eight years. I'm not quite sure when it started, but it seems like I fantasize about every guy I talk to. Depending on how well I know them and attractiveness they can get very, very vivid and it makes me self-conscious about whether guys can tell what I'm doing. It's so bad that I pretty much avoid eye contact with guys in general because I feel like I betray Hubby every time it happens.

There's lots of cool stuff going on in our community - join it, check it out, share your posts or advice in the great groups, and maybe we'll feature it here on TrèsSugar!

Do You Fantasize About People You Know?

TresSugar — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:45:08 PDT

Here's a creepy thought: guys have discovered Facebook as a renewable resource of photos for their viewing pleasure. According to one reporter's casual research, some men have ditched online porn, instead choosing to check out Facebook pictures of ordinary women that they're often attracted to in real life.

You can go update your privacy settings now. I'll wait. . . . While the idea of men ogling at our photos might freak us out, are we really surprised? Facebook is made up of exhibitionists who upload their photos for others to see, and the voyeurs who give them the silent attention they apparently crave. The spying doesn't have to be sexual, but when we do happen to have a crush on the picture poster, sometimes we can't help but stare.

If online porn lets men, and women, escape into an implausible and impersonal sexual fantasy, sexy online photos of people you know can prompt a fantasy that seems even the tiniest bit more realistic. And while some of us might love drooling over the latest photo of Robert Pattinson, others might prefer daydreaming about ripping the clothes off that cute guy we met at a party.

How Often Do You Think About Sex?

TresSugar — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:00:50 PST

Do you think about sex every day? Probably, if you regularly read this website! According to a survey, 70 percent of American men think about sex every day. Compare that to only 34 percent of women!

I find it somewhat baffling that only a third of women report thinking about sex daily. So now I want you to enlighten me: how often does the thought of sex cross your mind? Are you an every day kind of girl, more like once a week, or something else?

Relationship Protocol: How Often Do You Fantasize About Others?

DearSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:00:00 PST

When you're in a committed relationship, it's not uncommon to fantasize about other men during those intimate times with your significant other. We often feel guilty about it, but let's be honest, men do it too! So ladies, tell me, how often do you fantasize about other people while getting it on with your special someone?

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What Celebrity Would You Want to Kiss at Midnight?

DearSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 PST

The holiday season usually goes hand-in-hand with big blockbuster movies, and this year, there's no shortage of eye candy on the silver screen! Since New Year's Eve is just one day away, I thought it'd be fun to play a little game of fantasy. If you could pick one of these leading men to kiss when the clock strikes midnight tomorrow night, which actor would you want to smooch as you ring in the New Year?

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