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@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

Kurt Vonnegut volunteered for JFK's 1960 campaign: “On occasion, I write pretty well.”

www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

Alt: Dear Senator Kennedy:
I would like to volunteer my services on behalf of your campaign.
I am a freelance writer living year-round on the Cape. I was a public relations man for General Electric for several years, a reporter in Chicago before that.
I am thirty-eight, have been a freelance for ten years.
I've published two novels, and am a regular contributor of fiction to The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, McCall's, and so on. On occasion, I write pretty well. I would be honored if you could use me as a volunteer in any capacity whatsoever.

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

After the Berlin Wall was built, JFK received a copy of Steinbeck’s proposal that West Berliners treat it as something to be ridiculed.

His proposal: www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

#BannedBookWeek

I propose that the west side of the wall be used by the West Germans. It is ugly - make it beautiful. It is mean. Make it gay. Let those districts fronting on the wall go into competition for prizes. Everyone wants a wall to paint on. One section could be painted to represent the candy and ginger bread house of Hansel and Gretel. Another could be in paint' a representation of the Kremlin Wall with Lenin's tomb in front. The wall could be used for art exhibits as on the boardings of Greenwich Village. The barbed wire on the top is perfect for hanging tinsel and the colored balls we use on Christmas trees. Let there be competitions of childrens' paintings. Actually all you would have to do is to decorate one section and let people's imaginations take over.

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

After attending JFK’s inauguration, John Steinbeck wrote him this letter, appreciative of his recognition of the artist's importance in the US.

www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

#BannedBookWeek

My dear Mr. President:
I thank you for inviting me to your inauguration. I was profoundly moved by this ceremony which I had never seen before and even more moved by your following speech which was not only nobly conceived and excellently written and delivered, but also had that magic undertone of truth which cannot be simulated nor synchronized nor synthesized.
Personally, of course, l am honored to have been invited, but much more sharply felt is my gratification that through me you have recognized the many good members of my profession as existing at all. A nation may be moved by its statesmen and defended by its military but it is usually remembered for its artists. It does seem to me that you, sir, have discovered or rather rediscovered this lost truth.
Again my thanks, my pledge and my passionate hope that your words may become history. John Steinbeck

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

J.D. Salinger and his wife Claire were invited to a dinner at the White House in honor of winners of the Nobel Prize, but they rsvp’d no. (Perhaps not surprising, since Salinger was reclusive.)

www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

#BannedBookWeek

Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Salinger most deeply regret that they are unable to accept the kind invitation of The President and Mrs. Kennedy for dinner on Sunday, April 29,1962

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

Ernest Hemingway was one of the many writers and artists invited to JFK’s inauguration. He was too ill to attend, but he watched the ceremony on television.

#BannedBookWeek

During our forthcoming administration we hope to seek a productive relationship with our writers, artists, composers, philosophers, scientists, and heads of cultural institutions. As a beginning, in recognition of their importance, may we extend you our most cordial invitation to attend the inaugural ceremonies in Washington on January 19 and 20.
Reservations for inaugural concert, parade, ball are held for you. Room accommodations and hospitality will be arranged for you by a special sub-committee. RSVP which events desired and what accommodation needed by telegraphing Kay Halle, 3001 Dent Place, Northwest, Washington. Sincerely,
President-elect & Mrs. Kennedy

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

Pearl S. Buck attended the 1962 dinner honoring the Nobel Prize winners of the Western hemisphere, and was seated next to JFK during the after-dinner entertainment.

www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

#BannedBookWeek

President and Mrs. Kennedy listen to Pearl S. Buck in the East Room of the White House.

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

A year later, a slew of Bradbury’s books arrived at the White House – a gift from the author for President and Mrs. Kennedy.

Find out more about what he sent the Kennedys: jfk.blogs.archives.gov/2017/08/22/t...

#BannedBookWeek

Books Ray Bradbury sent to JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy with an inscription on the inside cover of one of them.

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

Ray Bradbury urged President Kennedy to bring the Soviet Union's nuclear policy and the Berlin situation before the United Nations in 1961.

#BannedBookWeek

Strongly and sincerely urge Russian resumption of nuclear testing plus Berlin situation be taken to United Nations immediately so world law and opinion can be applied. Ray Bradbury

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

On May 24, 1963, James Baldwin and other artists and activists met with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to discuss the urgent need for action on civil rights. Baldwin recounts the tense meeting in this interview: www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

#BannedBookWeek

I was really quite impressed with him. As a black citizen, it's really a cold day in August when one is overwhelmed by any politician. But he seemed earnest and truthful. I felt there was a way to talk to him, to reach him. When we were in the car he said, "Why don't you get a couple of your friends together. I'm going to be in New York tomorrow, and maybe we could meet and talk." So I said okay, not quite realizing what I'd gotten myself into. I called up a few friends. The bunch of people I knew are fairly rowdy, independent, tough-minded men and women. About a dozen of us were there--Lena Horne, Kenneth Clark, Lorraine Hansberry, Ed Barry. Then there was Jerome Smith, with whom I'd worked in the Deep South--a black student who had been very badly beaten.

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

James Baldwin was one of the many notable signers of this telegram condemning police violence against civil rights protesters.

#BannedBookWeek

Brutal use of police dogs against negro citizens peacefully protesting segregated public facilities in Birmingham, Alabama shock the conscience of America and reflects an ugly stain upon the United States throughout the entire world. In this day of struggle between the ideologies of freedom and slavery Birmingham, Alabama, is a cancer upon the face of a free society. Birmingham has a flagrant record of indifference, lawlessness and total disregard for the concepts of democracy and the rights of all its citizens. We urge you to take immediate, definitive measures to ensure the personal safety of the Reverends Martin Luther King Jr., Fred Shuttlesworth, A.D. King, Ralph D. Abernathy…

… and Charles Billups, as well as all negro citizens, to protect their inalienable rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution of the United States, for which we the undersigned, hold you, in your position as attorney general of the united states, responsible.

Steve Allen, James Baldwin, Mrs. Vivian Beamon, Harry Belafonte, Julie Belafonte, Marlon Brando, Theodore E. Brown, Mrs. Ralph Bunche, Diahann Carroll, Joe Curran, Ossie Davis, Professor Sidney Davis, Ruby Dee, Judge Hubert Delaney, Florence Elderidge, James Farmer, Mrs. Marshall Field, Reverend George B. Ford, Reverend Harry Emerson Fosdick, Lloyd Garrison, Van Heflin, Dorothy Height, Lena Horne, Anne Jackson, Honorable Florence M. Kelley, Theodore W. Kheel, John Oliver Killens, Rabbi Edward E. Klein, Hope Lange, Dr. J. Oscar Lee, Dr. Samuel Z. Levine, David Livingston, George London…

@jfklibraryfdn.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:32 PM

In honor of #BannedBookWeek, we’re highlighting some authors of banned or challenged books who show up in the archives here at the JFK Library.

Image: Guest list for Nobel Prize Winners Dinner (including a number of writers whose works have been censored) www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

@tdillontx.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 2:52 PM

BASTARDS AND THEIR CIRCLE JERK FOR BANNING BOOKS IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES: #bannedbookweek

@uncertainground.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 1:51 PM

#Booksky #BannedBookWeek #QuestionsWorthAsking

@joannecorey.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 11:52 AM

In honor of #BannedBookWeek.

@china-m.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 9:46 AM

Post a book cover once a day for a year. Only share books that you think are amazing and others would enjoy reading.
Life is a journey!
Share some of the benchmarks along your path!

#J.R.R.Tolkien
#BannedBookWeek
#Booksky 💙📚 #BookChallenge

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Book cover for "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien.

@stoic-skald.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 3:37 AM

Not only that books weren’t safe, but games too! Even “The Worlds Greatest Roleplaying Game” caused a Panic which many people believed that it prompted Satanism, Occult and Witchcraft.
I used to be that kid who believed in it, so here’s my story.

#Booksky #BannedBookWeek #LetBooksBe #TTRPG #D&D

🧵

@tvfilms.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 2:21 AM

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes is on the banned book list so I bought it and it arrived today!

#bannedbookweek #booksky #read

@tmwilliams668.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 1:36 AM

Book 14 is The Book Thief!
#crossstitch #bannedbookweek

@reyeh.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 9:26 PM

Sneaky low key #BannedBookWeek programming at our ES- just a book book display (including many of their favorite books) & bookmarks = massive engagement! 👏 Lots of questions & OUTRAGE! How dare someone try to ban their favorite books/authors. Love our #LibraryKids 🫶

@madammaleficent.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 9:09 PM

It’s Banned Book Week- so each day I will post one of my favorite banned books.
Day 5 #bannedbookweek