Banned books which are now considered literary classics will be the topic for a discussion group at the Meriden Public Library starting in January of next year.

Facilitator and retired high school English teacher Marsha Bansavage said the question of what is appropriate in literature always invites impassioned discussion.

"I think this will create great discussion within the group," she said. "It's a great topic."

The subject is likely to be on the mind of many familiar with the controversy over "In the Middle of the Night" at the Cheshire Public Library. Some criticized the decision to buy the book, which chronicles the killings of three Cheshire residents.

Bansavage said she won't incorporate that issue in her discussion group, but hopes participants raise their and their communities' feelings on modern books which have faced opposition.

"Hopefully they'll mention something about their communities," Bansavage said. "You get a very diverse reaction from people."

Books to be discussed include "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, "Native Son" by Richard Wright and "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin.