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.

Banning books was all the rage a little while ago. Very trendy and ‘woke’ (or anti-woke, it’s hard to keep these things straight, no pun intended) those who were decreeing what a person could and could not read claimed. That doesn’t get quite as much attention lately, though. Now the trendy thing is to ban book bans. And personally, I am fully behind that.

Because honestly, the people saying what we can and can’t read would be the first people to rise up if someone said “you have to read this!” (and literally no one is forcing them, or their kids, to read the books they’re banning).

In any case, book bans and the movement to stop them are the central plot and theme to Kirsten Miller’s novel, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books.

To add a few more details, Lula Dean likes to read dinosaur erotica but she’s also got some issues with her social standing in the little town of Troy, Georgia so, after an erotic cookbook is found in a library, she jumps on the book banning bandwagon to make herself feel just a little more important. And she is fully behind the idea of books like Gender Queer and Beloved being absolutely inappropriate for any and all, though it’s pretty clear she hasn’t read them. Lula never sees the hypocrisy of her crusade until she’s figuratively tied down and made to look. And then she runs away.

The message of the book, that of the idea that book bans are little more than a means by which one group of people seeks power and control over another, is a good message.

The plot of the book; the battles between Lula’s faction and a motley melting pot of other people, is also good. It does, at times, get a little heavy-handed in delivering the message, and that’s not always as good as it could be. If I’m against the heavy-handed, tunnel vision means by which book bans are fought for and put in place, I don’t really want to be strong-armed into thinking the other way either. If you’re giving me credit for being smart enough to choose what to read and what not to read, give me credit for being smart enough to figure it all out.

And Miller, for all the benefits of her message, is borderline at times.

That being said, I do give Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books four stars because that motley melting pot of characters are so unique, so relatable, and so interesting to read about as they fight for the cause they know is just. And, in the end, there’s always something compulsively readable about the ‘ripped from the headlines’ sorts of stories.

— publication date for Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is June 18, 2024

***I received a copy of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books through NetGalley and William Morrow in exchange for an honest and original review.***

So, this book had so much potential, but in the end, it felt like a "serious topic" chick lit book vs. an insightful novel with social commentary on the real impact book banning and curriculum challenges are having on our kids and communities. Some of the characters were right out of central casting and a bit stereotypical. It was fine, but not a book I am going to run out and tell everyone to read. It did, however, reinforce my love of little free libraries. So there's that. Three-and-a half stars.

Lula Dean was a little gem of a book.

Set in the sleepy town of Troy, Georgia, Lula is on a mission with the Concerned Parents Committee (CPC) to remove all books unsuitable for the town's teens. She starts a Little Free Library with wholesome books only, but a mystery person secretly replaces all the books with banned ones, but keeps the original book jackets. The town is suddenly buzzing as folks read the unapproved books and changes start to happen in the town.

There are a lot of characters in this book, but the way their stories come together and impact one another is perfect. This book is infuriating and impactful, annoying and absolutely delightful. The people of Troy are charming and zany, and Miller paints such an important and clear picture of the negative effects of book banning. It's a little outlandish, but I found this to be very heartwarming (especially the ending). Miller's writing is quite polarizing, so some readers might not enjoy the writing style, but this book is worth reading for so many reasons. I'll think about this one often.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy! I can't wait to get a copy of this one on 6/18!

This novel follows a small Georgia town, the surprising books that changed its trajectory and the ways in which a community can atone for and heal from its checkered past. This books is full of fantastic characters that feel real. The ending does wrap up maybe a little too nicely but as one character in the book mentions; maybe in this day and age, a story that ends happily is what we need. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

ula Dean is unhappy and resentful of others in Troy (GA) where she grew up. She and Beverly Underwood have a history going back to high school so when she has a chance she strikes. The chance comes over books she considers inappropriate in the school and public libraries. To show off what she considers appropriate books, she opens a little free library outside her house. But then someone slips the banned books into her library by switching book covers and mayhem slowly ensues. Old wounds come to light, the dark underbelly of the town and its history are slowly revealed as townsfolk interact with the books. The author manages to use the titles of books along with a diverse cast of characters to create an interesting mosaic of a story that kept the reader's attention. Plus, the list of chapter titles provides the reader a list of books they might try reading for themselves. A very good weekend read!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!

I loved loved this book. How delightful the tables were turned on Lula Dean when she thought to influence the good people of Troy, her hometown. Lula Dean began a campaign to rid the town's library and the school's library of books she felt were harming our youth and putting bad ideas in to their heads. Hence she wanted to gather up all these "banned books" and have a town book burning. But the head of the school board held her off and confiscated them to review the decision for later and thus store them for safe keeping in her basement. Lula, trying to be important, wanted to show what books were read by good upstanding citizens who love their country and the good old way of life by opening up her own personal lending library filled with books she personally picked out. Picked out of the trash bins at the thrift store from the next town over that is. Instead, a forward thinking youth, who happened to be the daughter of that School Board president, thought to take those banned books and switch them out in Lula Dean's library, unbeknownst to everyone in town. As a prank. But then people started borrowing the books, to the delight of Lula, and things began happening in town such as never seen before. People found their voices, and changes were in the works. This story is so timely and takes a delightful but truthful spin on what is happening today, the banning of books that people have never read but they feel they have the right to force others not to every read them. While this book shows the humor of the situation, it also points out the seriousness and sadness of those who are ignorant and afraid, wanting to take away people's choice in what they read. This is a must read and would lend itself to a great discussion. I highly recommend it. Many thanks to #netgalley #kirstenmiller #luladean'slittlelibraryofbannedbooks #williammorrow for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
The description of this book may make it seem very lighthearted and charming, but be aware this is a challenging masterpiece of a book. It is lighthearted and charming and funny, but it also deals with horrible topics such as anti-Jewish actions and beliefs, racism toward many groups, homophobia, infidelity, suicide, and sexual assault. There are literal neo-Nazis and folks dealing with a lot of issues in the book and sections from different perspectives.
At its heart, this book is about community and the power of books to heal. Books are under a lot of attack in the US right now and this book is very much in tune with the conversations around book bans and the different opinions about the topic. While set in Georgia, and aware of the particular issues that Southern areas face in terms of history, this topic is relevant and playing out across the US, which the author does acknowledge and reflect.
The book is meant to have a funny and uplifting tone when it can and it does succeed. There are sections that made me laugh out loud. And while sections were illuminating and insightful, they did not feel preachy or heavy-handed to me. Just as books within the book slowly encourage different perspectives, this book shows ideas without blowing down a door, in my opinion.
The characters are Southern and richly developed in just a few pages. I loved the different relationships and the ways that connections were teased out or created between the characters.
I read this in one day, in basically one sitting, because it is really good. It is challenging and funny and amazing and definitely relevant to a lot of what’s going on right on in the US.

Lula Dean is a social climbing ding dong on her best day, and one of those terrible people we all know that peaked in high school (and if you don’t know someone like that, its you, sorry). She goes on a mission to scrub the school of any literature that is educational for young kids (think Florida vibes) and through a string of unfortunate events, ends up running for mayor against her high school nemesis.

I feel like this one is cute and an easy read but definitely more of a library check out book than pre-order and go get. The character list was like 1000 characters long at times, which meant that we really didn’t get to KNOW any of them and the whole plot twist in the middle could have been so much more powerful if the back story and character development was just a little more robust. I think we need books like this to remind people that all reading is good reading, but this one wasn’t it for me.

I absolutely loved everything about this book! It mad me laugh, it made me cry, it was so refreshing to read because I mostly read thrillers. Thank you NetGalley and William Marrow for my free advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!

“Her daddy had been a man of God. He’d even handled a snake or two in his youth, but he’d never censored his children’s reading material. As far as he was concerned, if your faith was shaken by foul words or sex scenes, then you must not have had very much to begin with.”
This book. Kirsten Miller takes important topics - book banning, glorifying bigotry and the creeping comfort with ignorance - and weaves them into a story that is equal parts razor sharp and FUNNY.
We meet the cast of characters of Troy, Georgia, where a local woman has started a campaign to pull “inappropriate” books out of schools as part of her efforts against the spread of the liberal agenda. (Please insert my largest eye roll here.) Lula Dean has installed instead a Little Free Library filled with more “wholesome” books. When a local resident secretly inserts the banned books into the palatable book jackets, the entire town starts reading the contraband materials - with fast-moving consequences.
Kirsten Miller introduces a full spectrum of people, but they interface beautifully so you can quickly get a snapshot of Troy, which could be Anytown, USA - down to the statue of a Confederate general adorning town square.
Out June 18, this will definitely be a buzzy book - and one that I’ll be delighted to drop into my own Little Free Library.
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an objective review.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for this e-ARC!

Happy @littlefreelibrary week! I made the decision to add a Little Free Library to our property during the pandemic and I have loved sharing books with our community. If you have thought about getting one yourself, make the leap. You won't regret it.

During Little Free Library week, I read Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books. I love a book about books but even more how books help people and their situations.

This is a story about a small community in Troy, Georgia. Although fictional, the close mindedness can be seen in our everyday lives. The community has been living in the past when it comes to beliefs and values around their supposed home town hero, when the young generation uncovers some long buried information about said hero.

"You get to choose whose footsteps you'll follow. Find a set in the right direction. Somewhere out there, you have an ancestor who made the world better. Whoever they are, decide to take after them."

I enjoyed learning about the diverse group of characters and how so many banned books helped them in each of their unique situations. This book also had some great quotes. I wish I would have a had a physical copy to tab. I will say that I wasn't expecting the first chapter and how it started but stuck with it and glad that I did.

Hilarity mixed with relevance make for such a fabulous read. This was a great book. I highly recommend for those who love a page-turner

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“And when the parks department started offering those baby yoga classes, she’d made sure everyone in town knew it was anti-Christian. Unfortunately, they were still grooming infants to be Hindus down at the rec center. That Indian doctor who’d recently moved to Troy was probably behind it all. Even Lula couldn’t win every battle.”

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while and I absolutely did not want it to end! I laughed out loud, cheered for the heroes, booed the villains, and enjoyed this story from cover to cover. I can’t wait to watch where this book and Kirsten go from here!

With book banning such a hot topic right now, this book was just right! Little does Lula know that her daughter snuck into her lending library and replaced all the books in it with banned books. Those who read these books have their lives changed in various ways.

This was unexpectedly delightful. Nosy neighbors, banned books, free libraries, and a mayoral race—it all came together in such a charming way. I really enjoyed the small-town vibe, and I'm glad the book was set in the South—it added a unique flavor to the story.

This book dives into the hot topic of book-banning. We meet Lula Dean who wants certain books removed from her “God fearing” town. Lula has a little free library in front of her home of books she deems appropriate reading material. Little does she know, a girl in town switched out the books with banned books, but kept the “safe” book covers. We are following the townspeople as they read these banned books and how the stories affect their lives.

I enjoyed reading this book. I don't agree with banning books, many of the books they want banned are our history and we can’t just ignore our history and pretend slavery or the Holocaust didn't exist. I think the author did a good job explaining the reasoning behind the book bans and tied it into current events. I think this would make a good book club pick for a general fiction book club because it would enlist some necessary discussions.

Thank you to William Morrow publishing who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The first few chapters might lull you into thinking this is a fun romp through the gleeful aftereffects of a prank, but things turn serious and violent soon enough. An unfortunately accurate portrayal of the current state of American culture wars.