Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

By Jennifer Davis and Dan Schulz turn books banned in schools into a comedy book review podcast, reading challenged literature cover-to-cover to find out exactly what got each book banned.Comedy Society & Culture Arts Books

Favorites
31
Followers
Typical duration
35 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship episodes

March 19The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 14: Maurice Returns and Holden Gets Hit | Banned Books Podcast
Holden Caulfield starts this chapter talking to his dead brother Allie in an empty hotel room at dawn, and it only gets heavier from there. Maurice the elevator pimp and Sunny come back for the money Holden insists he doesn't owe, and what follows is a confrontation that leaves Holden on the floor in his pajamas imagining a revenge movie that will never happen.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Jennifer catches that Holden's favorite person in the Bible — the lunatic cutting himself with stones in the tombs — is basically Holden describing himself
Dan keeps forgetting this is all still the same night as the Stradlater fight
Jennifer argues she'd stand on principle too, and Dan says that worries him about her
Holden's elaborate movie revenge fantasy after getting punched, complete with Jane bandaging his guts while holding his cigarette
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter features a teenager hiring a prostitute, getting shaken down by a pimp, religious questioning that dismisses the disciples and organized religion, and a passing reference to suicidal thoughts — exactly the kind of raw, honest adolescent experience that book banners want to pretend doesn't exist.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
This week we've got two podcasts worth checking out:
Dateline: Trace of Suspicion — A young Marine and the woman who didn't care about convention built a life together. Then one night the Marine died, and the death investigation took a wild, unexpected turn. Hosted by Josh Mankiewicz.
MSNOW Presents: Clock It — Simone Sanders Townsend positions herself at the intersection of culture and politics, breaking down what's happening in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 14, Holden Caulfield, Allie Caulfield, Maurice, Sunny, Arthur Childs, Bobby Fallon, Jane Gallagher, religion and atheism, self-destruction, grief and guilt, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
33 min
March 17The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 13.2: Holden Meets a Prostitute Named Sunny | Banned Books Podcast
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 13.2 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
The prostitute finally shows up, and Holden Caulfield does the most Holden Caulfield thing possible: he asks if she wants to talk. She does not. What follows is one of the most awkward, sad, and unexpectedly human scenes in the book, ending with a made-up surgery, a price dispute, and a green dress that quietly breaks your heart.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter—we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Holden trips over his own suitcase answering the door for a prostitute while trying to be "suave as hell"
Dan's reaction when he realizes Holden is about to bring up ducks to a prostitute
The moment Holden hangs up Sunny's green dress and imagines her buying it in a store where nobody knew
The DeSantis "pudding fingers coat rack" bit during PPP that somehow involves Moms for Liberty threesomes
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter features a teenage protagonist hiring a prostitute, discussing virginity, and lying about a medical procedure to avoid having sex. But the real reason it threatens book banners is that it shows a teenager learning his own boundaries, recognizing another person's humanity, and saying no when everything around him is pushing yes.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
If you're looking for more great podcasts, check these out:
Dateline Presents: Trace of Suspicion — A young Marine and the woman who didn't care about convention made a life together. Then one night the Marine died, and the death investigation took a wild, unexpected, and utterly bizarre turn.
MsNow Presents: Clock It — Simone Sanders Townsend positions herself at the intersection of culture and politics, breaking down what's happening in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer: Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, their estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered:
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 13, Holden Caulfield, Sunny, Maurice, coming of age, virginity, prostitution, empathy, depression, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
27 min
March 12The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 13.1: Holden Calls Himself Yellow | Banned Books Podcast
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 13.1 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
Holden Caulfield walks 41 blocks back to his hotel in the freezing cold calling himself a coward the entire way — all over a pair of gloves he never confronted anyone about. By the time he gets to the elevator, he's so depressed he can't think straight. That's when things get complicated.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Holden spends three full pages imagining a glove confrontation in precise detail — every exchange, every dodge — and concludes he's too yellow to go through with it. Dan and Jennifer debate whether that's actually cowardice or just being a civilized human being.
Holden reveals he'd rather push someone out a window or chop their head off with an ax than punch them in the face. Dan suggests punching might actually be the more reasonable option here.
A surprisingly progressive moment for 1951 — Holden says he always stops when a girl says stop, even when he wishes he hadn't. Dan calls it out as genuinely remarkable for the era.
Robot's fact-check on the word "yellow" — Jennifer was worried it might be racist. It is not. Robot explains the 19th century origin with barely concealed exasperation.
Beowulf brings the story of Dr. Regina Jennings and her YouTube series "Readings with Regina" — a Black Panther Party original member who uses radical readings to make Black history accessible to young people.
Dan on Rosa Parks and the Stonewall riots — and why stripping context from history is just book banning by another name.
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter gets at exactly why — a teenage boy drinking alone, arranging to meet a prostitute, and admitting he's a virgin who stops when girls say stop. Moms for Liberty finds all of this objectionable. Salinger found all of it human.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy If you made it through this episode and need something else to listen to, here are two worth your time:
MS NOW Presents: Clock It — Simone Sanders Townsend and a veteran White House reporter position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics. Smart, sharp, new episodes every Thursday.
Dateline Presents: Trace of Suspicion — A young Marine, a woman who didn't care about convention, a life built together — and then a death investigation that takes a completely bizarre turn. Search Trace of Suspicion wherever you listen.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 13, Holden Caulfield, Maurice, Sunny, Regina Jennings, Rosa Parks, cowardice, consent, book banning, banned books, banned books podcast, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
31 min
March 10The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 12: Holden's 2 AM Cab Ride & the Duck Debate | Banned Books Podcast
Holden Caulfield climbs into a late-night cab that smells like vomit and strikes up a conversation with his driver, Horwitz — who has very strong opinions about fish. Meanwhile, New York City feels lonesome and enormous, and Holden still won't go home.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Holden asks cab driver Horwitz about the Central Park ducks — Horwitz doesn't care about the ducks, but he has a passionate, completely wrong theory about how fish survive winter through their pores
Jennifer nails the loneliness of this chapter: Holden's in the vomit cab going nowhere in the dark, watching couples laugh on the street, with nobody to go home to
Dan makes the case for just ripping the bandaid off — go home, tell your parents you got kicked out, and get it over with
Beowulf Rochlen brings good news: a California school district reversed its ban on the dystopian novel Scythe — and the show gets into whether banning AI counts as censorship
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The novel has been challenged repeatedly for its language, themes of teenage alienation, and what many school boards have called a corrupting influence on young readers — which is a solid reason to read it out loud on a podcast.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
While we're all out here reading dangerous books, here are two podcasts worth your time:
Good News for Lefties — Beowulf Rochlen's show, bringing you the news stories from the left that actually deserve your attention. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.
MSNow Presents Clock It! — Simone Sanders Townsend and her co-host position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics, breaking down what's happening in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 12, Holden Caulfield, Horwitz, Phoebe, Robot, Beowulf Rochlen, teenage alienation, loneliness, censorship, Dunning-Kruger effect, Scythe, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
35 min
March 05The Catcher in the Rye Chapter 11: Jane Gallagher and the Checkerboard Tear | Banned Books Podcast
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 11 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
Holden can't sleep. He's sitting in a vomit-looking chair in the hotel lobby thinking about Jane Gallagher — the girl who lost eight golf balls that first afternoon and never made him feel like his hand was sweating. This chapter is one long, tender flashback to the summer they spent together, and the moment a tear landed on a checkerboard and changed everything.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Jennifer's read on why Jane kept her kings in the back row — and what it might mean about her
Dan's theory on unrequited love and why Holden would protect Jane but can't get close to her
Robot drops in to explain why even Spielberg couldn't get the rights to make a Catcher in the Rye movie — and why Salinger said no to everyone
The checkerboard tear scene — one of the most quietly devastating moments in the book so far
Holden kissing Jane everywhere except her mouth, and what Jennifer thinks that says about both of them
The hand-holding description that made both hosts go quiet for a second
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter is a perfect example of the hypocrisy — a teenage boy having innocent, tender feelings for a girl he genuinely cares about. No sex, no violence. Just swearing and emotional honesty. That's apparently enough.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy While you're here, check out this show worth bingeing:
MS NOW Presents Clock It — Simone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics, talking about what they see and hear in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 11, Holden Caulfield, Jane Gallagher, Stradlater, Mr. Cudahy, unrequited love, loneliness, innocence, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
30 min
March 03The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 10 Part 2: You Just Missed Him + Book Banning News
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 10 Part 2 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
Holden Caulfield dances with all three women from Seattle, buys them drinks he can't really afford, tricks one of them into thinking she just missed Gary Cooper, and feels terrible about it immediately. Then they leave to get up early for Radio City Music Hall — and somehow that's the thing that breaks him.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Holden almost kisses Bernice on the top of her head right where the part is — exactly the way he'd kiss Phoebe — and Dan catches it immediately and connects it back to last episode's Phoebe description
Dancing with Marty is described as dragging the Statue of Liberty around the floor, so Holden invents a Gary Cooper sighting to get through the song — she nearly has a breakdown when she finds out she missed him, then goes back to the table and tells the other two she caught a glimpse of him
The three women work at the same insurance office in Seattle and spend the entire night scanning the room for movie stars instead of talking to each other
Laverne keeps asking Holden to call his father and find out if he has a date tonight — four times — and Holden notes she was certainly witty
Dan cannot figure out why Radio City Music Hall depresses Holden so much — Jennifer can't either — and neither of them realizes they just identified the most important moment in the chapter
Dan says Holden definitely thinks he has women figured out and he's not so sure he does — Robot files this under things Dan accidentally got right
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter is a perfect example of what makes censors nervous — a teenager alone in a nightclub, buying drinks for older women, using words like "horry" and calling people ugly. What they miss entirely is that Holden feels more for the people he dismisses than he ever says out loud. That's the complicated part. That's the dangerous part.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy While you're here, check out this show worth bingeing:
MS NOW Presents Clock It — Simone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics, talking about what they see and hear in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, their estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 10, Holden Caulfield, Phoebe Caulfield, Bernice Krebs, Marty, Laverne, Buddy Singer, Gary Cooper, loneliness, failed connection, teenage isolation, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
24 min
February 26 The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 10 Part 1: What Is Holden So Afraid Of? | Why Books Get Banned
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 10 Part 1 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
Holden Caulfield can't sleep, so he does what any reasonable teenager would do — puts on a clean shirt and heads down to the hotel nightclub alone in the middle of the night. But before he goes, he spends a few minutes thinking about his little sister Phoebe. It's the warmest, most unguarded moment in the book so far. Then he goes downstairs and tries to give all of that to three strangers from out of town who aren't really listening.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
- Holden's description of Phoebe — roller skate skinny, red hair like Allie's, holds up her finger in a dark movie theater before the guy on screen does it — is the most affectionate thing he's said about anyone, and Dan notices that Holden has all this feeling he just never lets out
- Holden tries to order a scotch and soda at the Lavender Room and gets carded. In 1951. Dan is shocked that anyone was responsible back then.
- The three women from out of town — one blonde, two strictly from hunger — giggle every time Holden looks at them, which annoys him enough that he asks them to dance anyway
- Holden dances with the blonde and tells her she ought to be a professional. She's not listening to a word he says. She's looking around the room the whole time.
- Jennifer asks what it must be like to be inside Holden Caulfield's head twenty-four seven. Dan says weird. They're both right.
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter is a good example of why school boards lose their minds over this book — a teenage boy alone in a hotel nightclub, trying to buy alcohol, dancing with older women, using words like "horry" and "pimpy." What they miss is that Holden isn't having the time of his life. He's desperately lonely and trying to connect with anyone who will actually pay attention.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
While you're here, check out this show worth bingeing:
- **MS NOW Presents Clock It** — Simone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics, talking about what they see and hear in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, their estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered:
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 10, Holden Caulfield, Phoebe Caulfield, Allie Caulfield, DB, Buddy Singer, loneliness, teenage isolation, failed connection, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
28 min
February 24 The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 9: Holden Checks Into the Edmont Hotel | Banned Books Podcast
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 9 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
Holden Caulfield arrives in New York City in the middle of the night with cash in his pocket and absolutely no one to call. He stands in a phone booth for twenty minutes going through his entire list — and comes up empty every time. What follows is one of the loneliest chapters in the book, dressed up as comedy.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
- Holden gives his cab driver his home address by accident — and Dan and Jennifer debate whether that's absentmindedness or a kid who just wants to go home to his mom
- The cab driver gets asked about the ducks in Central Park. He does not take it well.
- Holden checks into the Edmont Hotel and immediately starts watching strangers through their windows — a cross-dresser, a couple spitting booze at each other — and declares himself the only normal bastard in the place
- Holden calls a woman he barely knows from a Princeton party, tries to sound "suave as hell," and crashes and burns completely
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter captures exactly why — a teenage boy alone in a hotel room, watching strangers through windows, thinking about sex, calling a woman described as "not exactly a whore." School boards have been losing their minds over this book since 1951. What they keep missing is that Holden isn't celebrating any of it. He's drowning.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
While you're here, check out these shows worth bingeing:
- **MS NOW Presents Clock It** — Simone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics, talking about what they see and hear in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, their estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered:
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 9, Holden Caulfield, Faith Cavendish, Jane Gallagher, loneliness, teenage isolation, censorship and sexuality, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
33 min
February 19 The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 8: The Most Honest Liar on the Train | Banned Books Comedy
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 8 | Banned Books Comedy Podcast
Holden Caulfield hates phonies. He's been cataloguing them for seven
chapters. So why does he spend an entire train ride lying through his
teeth to make a stranger feel good about her bully son? Chapter 8 is
where Salinger quietly reveals that Holden is more complicated — and
more kind — than anyone gives him credit for.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by
chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
- Holden introduces himself as Rudolph Schmidt — the name of his
janitor — to avoid giving his real identity to a stranger on a train
- The mother describes her towel-snapping bully son as "sensitive" and
Holden has to keep a straight face
- Dan correctly identifies this as Holden's technique — butter up the
older ladies, glue them to their seat
- The lies snowball from "he's shy and modest" all the way to a brain
tumor that can be removed in about two minutes
- Jennifer calls it pathological. Dan calls it personable. Robot thinks
they're both describing the same thing from different angles
- Holden sends Mrs. Morrow off at Newark thinking her son is a humble
genius — then immediately tells her he's going to South America with
his grandmother
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The book has been challenged
and banned for over 70 years for its frank teenage voice, casual
profanity, and portrayal of a young person who questions authority,
rejects institutions, and sees through adult hypocrisy at every turn.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our
fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next
chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
- **MS NOW Presents Clock It** — Simone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels position themselves at the intersection of culture and politics, talking about what they see and hear in the news so you can start to clock it too. New episodes drop Thursdays.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the
purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in
accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought
and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The
original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we
strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially
connected to JD Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher
in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the
copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered:
The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger, Chapter 8, Holden Caulfield,
Ernest Morrow, Mrs. Morrow, Rudolph Schmidt, Stradlater, Allie
Caulfield, lying, identity, kindness, phonies, banned books, banned
books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy
podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
31 min
February 17The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 7: Holden Leaves Pencey in the Middle of the Night | Banned Books Podcast
Holden can't sleep. He's lying in Ackley's stinky room, torturing himself thinking about Jane and Stradlater in that car. So he does the only logical thing—packs his bags, sells his typewriter for a fraction of what it's worth, and screams "Sleep tight, ya morons!" down the hallway before disappearing into the night. He's 16 and heading to a hotel in New York City alone.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter—we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Holden telling Ackley he got in a fight "defending your honor" (Ackley believed it for a second)
The description of Stradlater's "technique" with girls—and why it made Holden so worried about Jane
Holden asking Ackley about joining a monastery at 2am
Jennifer admitting she'd steal Stradlater's wallet on the way out
The exit line: "Sleep tight, ya morons!"
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? This chapter has a teenager running away from school in the middle of the night, references to "giving girls the time," and a kid who's clearly struggling with depression and loneliness. The book banners don't want kids to see themselves in Holden—or realize that running away might make more sense than staying somewhere that makes you miserable.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).

This episode includes short clips from "Hey There Hobo" by The Hackensaw Boys. All rights belong to their respective owners and are used here under fair use for the purpose of cultural commentary and education.
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
- **MS Now Presents: Clock It** - You have to check out Clock It—it’s like being dropped straight into a group chat with Symone Sanders-Townsend and Eugene Daniels as they break down the wildest overlaps of politics and culture with the perfect mix of expertise and real talk.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!
Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Topics Covered:
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 7, Holden Caulfield, Ackley, Stradlater, Jane Gallagher, running away, teenage depression, loneliness, The Hackensaw Boys, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
33 min

About Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

From the publisher's feed

Love banned books? Hate censorship? Same.

Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books out loud, cover-to-cover, and try to figure out why they were banned in the first place. If you've never read them, now's your chance to hear them for the first time with us. If you have, well, you already know what's coming and this will be your chance to laugh at us as we bumble our way through and get horrified over and over again.

11 seasons in, we've gotten pretty good at figuring out what these books are actually about and why the people pushing book banning and censorship don't want you to read them.

This season we're reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Every episode we read the next chapter out loud, talk about what we found, and try to figure out why this book scares the book banners so much. It probably has something to do with the political shit show we're all currently living through.

You know what's really insane right now? There are people in this country who own a lot of red hats but not a lot of library cards, and somehow those people ended up in charge of deciding what your kids can read.

Moms for Liberty, pudding lover Ron DeSantis, and basically every politician who thinks they know better than you have been pushing book banning and censorship for years. We're pretty sure none of them have actually read the books, because if they did they'd have a hard time explaining why Captain Underpants and Charlotte's Web are a threat to your kids' freedom.

So we read them ourselves to find out what's really in them.

We also have a fact-checking robot so we don't accidentally spread misinformation. Or what some people call "alternative facts."

Our listeners are called The Scary Book People. You'll fit right in.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. You can start anywhere, Robot catches you up fast.

Past seasons: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.