Clever and entertaining, I enjoyed the premise of this novel. It made me cringe in places, and laugh out loud in others. Unfortunately it felt a bit disjointed, in part because there were just so many characters to keep track of, and because there were so many hot-button issues being addressed.

LULA DEAN'S LITTLE LIBRARY OF BANNED BOOKS is a book that made me think, that made me angry, that made me laugh, and that made me want to read it again. As someone that is currently living through the book banning that is sweeping our schools, this book was one that hit close to home, but also demonstrated a profound knowledge of the human experience using book banning as a deeper reflection into the society in which we live. Overall, I found this book to be a masterpiece in satirical writing, character development, and storytelling.

The book follows a small town in Troy, Georgia where Lula Dean has created a firestorm over books. She gets the "inappropriate" books removed from the library and creates her own little library outside of her house, which she fills with books that she finds more appropriate. However, not everyone is on board with her ideas and they replace her books with "banned" books by switching the covers. The result is a book that tackles a variety of issues that deals with the cultural storm within our current society over the place of books and the ideas within them.

This story was masterfully told in an interesting way. The book is told through vignette-like stories that follow many characters. Through these multiple POVs, the audience sees them as they are: their mistakes, their hopes, their background, and their ideals and values all interwoven with the little library and its impact on these residents, both good and bad. And while this book is satirical in nature, it exposes a larger truth about the importance of books themselves: that they are a gateway to better empathizing and learning about one another and each other, even those that we consider the "villains" at any given time. The author also expertly interweaves ideas of history, anti-Semitism, race, and identity, which showcases the level of depth and adeptness this book showcases. To me, it was a masterpiece in navigating difficult topics while also instilling a level of meaning that was not divisive, but instead inclusive.

Overall, you'll like this book if you like satire, current events, character driven novels, and smaller stories pieced together to create a more unified picture. To me, this book was one that made me think, and one that I will continue to think about for a long time.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

United States Publication: June 18, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Lula Dean is on a crusade and has divided the town over it. The town is a small one deep in the southern state of Georgia, where "the liberals" stay quiet while "the conservatives" are the ruling voice of the town. But Lula Dean has an arch-enemy, Beverly Underwood and her crusade is much more about trying to obliterate Beverly than the concerns she has brought up to the town. What are Lulu's concerns? Books. She's jumped on the ban books book wagon and established a committee to overhaul the town, starting with books. In her efforts to clean up the town from dangerous books, she erects a little library in front of her house stocked with books she says are appropriate. But someone decides to play a prank on Lulu by switching out her hardbacks with more "liberal" titles that feature the approved dustjackets, but the content is decidedly on the banned books list. When the traffic picks up at Lulu Dean's little library she's pleased as punch and convinced her crusade is working. If only she knew. As the residents of Troy get challenged and emboldened by the little library of banned books, the divisions in their little town grow and grow until even some of the most conservative people can't approve of where Lulu wants to lead them.

I loved this book. Miller uses a list of books, some real and some made-up, for the purposes of this story to bring the residents of Troy, Georgia, to the place she imagined for them. The idea of switching out someone's little library books that don't encourage critical thinking or a regard for humanity for books that might accomplish that better is a fun premise to use. To place it in a small southern town is illuminating. But, as Miller says in an author's note, "... I want to make it perfectly clear that the issues addressed in this novel - book banning, white nationalism, anti-Semitism, etc. - are by no means unique to the South. These are American problems. Pretending they only occur in the South has allowed them to flourish unchecked elsewhere in the United States." Kirsten Miller is not wrong. No issues are unique to just a particular region of our nation; we are all affected by these issues whether we live in Washington or Florida, North Dakota or Texas, California or Maine, or any point in between. This story had a hopeful outcome, but the cynic in me thinks it might be too late for such real-life hopeful outcomes; however, the woman struggling to hold on to optimism wants to know outcomes like this one can be possible. Regardless of its plausibility, this book was so much fun to read and such a delight, with numerous nuggets of wisdom to take away from it.

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books was funny and heartwarming while tackling some serious subjects. It’s a book for book lovers that addresses issues such as book banning, white nationalism, anti-Semitism, and prejudices.

I absolutely loved the structure of this book. There are 35 chapters that put us in the heads of 28 different POV characters. Don’t let that intimidate you, because it’s easy to follow along with who’s who. Once a character is introduced, you’re sure to get a POV chapter or background on that character in a following chapter.

The plot centers around a small southern town where some books have been recently banned. Someone decides to switch the covers of these banned books with some other books in a lending library outside of the house of Lula Dean, who spearheaded the banning. What follows is the reader seeing how these banned books have impacted the residents of this small town.

This book is a satire, so know going in that it’s full of caricatures and you’ll need to suspend your disbelief. Everything is a bit over the top, but if that doesn’t bother you I’d highly recommend this book. I laughed, smiled, cheered, and even shed a tear or two while reading.

Don’t miss Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books. You know I believe in freedom of speech and am against censorship. This is the story that explains why book bans don’t and won’t work in a free country as well as exposing how and why people are so intolerant and how we might actually save each other from all of our divisiveness. I just started reading it, and I wish I had enough money to buy a copy for every person I know because it is that important. I love this town, the vignettes of each character and I have laughed out loud in public.
#newbooks #arcs #luladeanslittlelibraryofbannedbooks #currentlyreading

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books
by Kirsten Miller
releases June 18, 2024
304 pages

Thank you to the author, @williammorrowbooks and @netgalley.

Guess you all know what you’re getting as your next gift from your favorite librarian. Will also be added to our little school library.

A must read no matter what.

It's rare when I know that I'm reading a 5-star book before I even finished 1/4 of it, but that's just what happened with this extraordinary story. I want to read it for the first time again. It's bitingly funny and extremely timely. This will be in my top 10 for the year and will be the book I bug people to read for the next several months. Pre-order this one now and just go ahead and clear your calendar because you will not get anything done once you start this book.

An excellent satire on many current events, focusing on book bans that are being implemented but also touching on prevalent topics such as racism, bullying, homophobia, misogyny, and white supremacy. Some of the characters are truly delightful, and many of the incidents/passages are laugh-out-loud funny. Although very tongue-in cheek, this novel also offers powerful insight into America’s current political and social climate and makes the reader think deeply about some rather unsettling topics. I really enjoyed this read, despite it’s being perhaps just a bit preachy at times.

The book started out really well for me. It was interesting and I was aghast at the racism that was going on in Troy, Georgia. I didn't know what the contents of the banned books were (felt a little ignorant) but the author did a good job of breaking it down. The banned books were taken from the public library and placed in storage until the town could make a decision about them. The book banners worried that the books would make kids do bad/wrong things. Things they shouldn't know about: rape, drinking, penises, menopause, gays, etc. The books were taken from storage, one at a time, covers from non-banned books were put on them and the books were placed in Lula Dean's little library. Town residents were going to the little library and reading these shocking books. Well there were quite a few books and readers. About half-way through the book, I was so confused --too many readers and too many books with too many stories linked back to specific readers and books. I almost gave up on the book but I kept reading. Not sure why. This book ended up being too political for me. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the complimentary digital ARC. I am sorry that I did not enjoy this book but this review holds true to my opinion.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books tells the story of what happens in the small town of Troy, Georgia when Lula Dean takes a stand against "controversial" books and puts a little free library in her front yard filled with books she deems appropriate. Little does she (or the town know) that one night, two residents take it upon themselves to switch the books with banned books with the "appropriate" dust jackets on to cover them.

This reads like a series of connected short stories as we learn how different books from the little library impact citizens of Troy. Troy has a reckoning coming as the politics of book banning and conservative ideals butt up against more moderate and liberal view points, and of course as hearts and minds are changed by reading outside of their own personal experiences.

I really enjoyed this book, although I did at times feel overwhelmed by the long character list and similar names like Beverly and Betsy. I thought the ending was a little too saccharine, and this book was like stepping into an echo chamber for my personal beliefs. Sometimes it's nice to be in that echo chamber, but it makes me wonder if this book will find its way into the hands of those that really need it. Or will it only appeal to people who already oppose book bans?

I was looking forward to this one, as I enjoyed The Change. Sadly, though, even though I am a big proponent of No Book Bans, this one just dragged for me. There was a large cast of characters and although I liked many of them at times, it just didn't cohesively fit together for me.
I did enjoy the small-town vibe, and I'm glad the book was set in the South—it added a unique flavor to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an eARC of this novel!

After finishing Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books, I had to sit a while before putting a review together. This was almost a DNF for me. The subject matter drew me into the book, but the large number of intermingling story lines are what almost did me in. I stuck it out though, and am glad that I did. The underlying themes in the series of stories are very timely in our current cultural environment. The intermingling of stories is very typical of small town life and I think that the author captured that well througout the book. I love the twist toward the end that not only brought the town together, but provided a good conclusion to all of the story lines presented throughout the book.
There may be some trigger warnings for those who are sensitive to homosexual or racial related conversations. Nothing graphic is in the book, but ideas are presented when describing some of the banned books.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book in return for my honest opinion.

Books shape this story set in a town of book-banners, but not always in ways you would expect. The story is told through the perspective of many towns people, through the lens of various books & their impact on each person. Each chapter brings to light serious topics & hateful people but also hilarious circumstances and warm loving people. It is equally disturbing and heartwarming. I adored the way books shaped each person’s story. The characters were flawed, unique but often wonderful. The terrible characters all got their dues & the ending was a great payoff. It was sometimes hard to follow at first but stick with it and you’ll be glad.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

I was so excited to get this one. And it is good.

In a time where book bans are real, Lula Dean does a great job of reminding us of the power of books.

Miller tackles several hot button issues like book banning, racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia, all critical to the story being told. There is language, uncomfortable conversations, and characters who realize the err in their ways and thinking.

My only complaint - there were a lot of characters to keep straight and I kept having to refer to my notes.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.

I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher, William Morrow, in exchange for an honest review.

Oh This book! i loved this book!

With the way the world is today this book fits perfectly. Its funny that the world feels fit to tell people what they need to read and are people that do not even read so this fits perfectly.

Books take you to another world and this book is written very well and i am so glad i got the opportunity to read this.

Great read and everyone should read this book.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Oh my gosh, this book was everything I wanted and more.

Lula Dean is leading the charge of banning books in her small town and decides to start a Free Little Library and fills it with “wholesome” books.

One resident decides to prank Lula by switching out the books with the banned books.

The story takes off from there.

I loved all the characters. They were so rich, entertaining and lovable.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy of this book. It’s a very thoughtful and thought-provoking story. Lula Dean is mad at the blows dealt to her perfect life in her small Southern town of Troy, Georgia. Her husband dies then her twins desert her. She turns her focus to taking on the unwelcome social change she sees happening. When a pornographic book is discovered in the “Cooking” section of the local library, she sets out to ban books and establishes the Concerned Parents Committee. To offer an alternative, Lula builds a small free library in front of her house—Lula’s Little Library. As a prank, local Lindsay Underwood replaces all of the Lula's books with “banned books” covered in Lula’s dust jackets. The banned books have a profound impact on the folks who borrow them as they deal with the issues of white nationalism, anti-semitism, women, and LGBTQ.

It’s an amusing premise and serves to move the story along with great humor. When Lula decides to take her crusade further, she takes on her long-time nemesis, Beverly Underwood, in a run for mayor, pitting the town residents against one another. Lindsay’s prank caused a chain reaction. “The books she’d put in that library had opened eyes, granted courage, and exposed terrible crimes.” There is so much to enjoy about this book. It’s simultaneously maddening and heart-warming and definitely worth the read.

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, by Kirstin Miller checks off all the boxes for a book written in 2024. Lula Dean wants a cause to give her life meaning and when banning books to protect children becomes popular, she joins in. She also follows the trend of little libraries and puts one in front of her house with “proper books.” But the prankster daughter of her chief rival takes those books and replaces them with the banned books removed from the local public library, there are unforeseen consequences. The banned books are disguised in the dust covers of the original books. The first several chapters felt like short stories about local townspeople and the effect of reading the banned books they chose. There are other current cultural issues, like racism, LGBTQ+, poverty, civil war ancestors, etc., all combined to make a great story with interesting characters and how a small southern town ultimately addresses these themes. I highly recommend this book for all ages!

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to receive this b ook for an honest review.

For such a serious topic of things going on today with banning books I found the book funny with the cast of characters.
I enjoyed this book all around and it has bme re thinking the world of banned books.

I live in the American south. In my town, books with LGBTQ themes are being removed from the children and teen section of the library. In mine and surrounding counties people are harassing librarians and calling in bomb threats to queer spaces. So this book hit very close to home.

You might read the book and think the author exaggerates. Surely anti-gay activists and misogynists and white nationalists aren’t working together to ban books! But everything that the author describes has happened in the US in recent years. Maybe not all in the same small town, but still. It’s real.

The characters in this book were very memorable. I loved their interactions with each other. There was quite a large cast. And yes, they felt like stereotypes at times. But again. They’re all based on real people. I appreciated how the author took the time to dig into the backstories of both the heroes and the villains to help us understand why they were acting how they acted.

My favorite thing about the book was how hopeful it was. Living where I do, it’s easy to get discouraged and feel like nothing will ever change. But the book encouraged me to keep hoping. And to work to change the minds and hearts of good people. Maybe the future the book describes is possible!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher @williammorrowbooks for my review copy.

This may honestly be my favorite book so far in 2024. It was so relevant to things that are going on in the world today. People who can’t even be bothered to know what they’re talking about want to decide what everyone else should be reading. And how a little education and magically the right books finding their way into the hands of those that need them most at just the right time can change the world.