Just LOVE Kristen Miller and her insanely impressive storytelling. While this book hit far too close to home and current political landscape, I absolutely devoured it. After The Change, I did not think she could write a book that topped that story. While this story doesn’t top it, it certainly comes close. The characters are so relatable (in ways you like and don’t like) and the story is so real, but sprinkled in with her hysterical humor. Absolutely recommend picking this book up and loving it as much as I did.

Thanks to net galley for thenARC. Don’t let the dates fool you. This was a really well written book. This is a satire novel about a Southern woman who takes on controversial books. But it doesn’t end there. There are so many characters and they all become intertwined because of the “banned books”. The authors note sealed the deal for me. How important it is to take up the fight against book banning because for some people - it’s their only access to real information. And if we aren’t providing it, how will anyone know the truth. Book banning is in effect to withhold real knowledge and then have power over people. It’s so scary. Read this book. It’s cute and has real meaning.

This book is the perfect combination of serious treatment of a present day subject and comedy. Working in a school library and a public library, banned books are something that we librarians have to think about every day. This book definitely was about book banning--at the start, during the story and the end, however it didn't club the reader over the head constantly--there were humorous plot lines that kept the book light and pleasant. This story was about the characters in a small town, everyone knew a little about everyone else, but during the course of the book grew to know each one sooooooooo much better, either through dealing with them on a personal level or through DNA. I thought it was a funny read with a serious message.

This book is as outlandish as it is necessary. The quaint southern town makes a perfect backdrop for such an absurd plot, with each person bringing their own prejudice and fear to the table. Each banned book sets another story in motion and all the players pull together in the end for a satisfying ending that would easily suit a Hallmark movie. It's campy, and over the top, but lovely and perfect and timely.

Timely and more relevant than ever, this is the book I can not stop thinking about. Books bring so much good into the world: freedom, escape, and maybe even more importantly, understanding and perspective of others. Without them, I do not want to think where we would be. Books are fundamental to our growth as a society. And I can think of better things to ban than books…

Thank you @kirstenmillerauthor and @williammorrowbooks for bringing this book into my life. If I must chose 1 book for everyone to read this year, it is 𝗟𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀.

LOVE the message and following this town. It is a bit heavy at times (but it should be) and there are a LOT of characters so it should be something read fast.

I read the first 70% then switch to the audio which was excellent. Millers style of writing is very captivating and enjoyable but it is not a relaxing escapism type book, more of a culturally important type read.

3.5 stars. A fun, timely read. While the book deals with serious topics like racism and Nazis, the tone remains light and comical. My biggest complaint is there were a bunch of characters, almost too many for me to keep straight at times. But if you want a cute story about a small Southern town dealing with progressive vs conservative beliefs, you’ll enjoy this one. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC, and to NetGalley!

The message/intent: 5 stars
The execution: 1 star

I think the biggest problem with this book is that there were too many characters. Rather than following one or two characters, we are introduced to an entire town. Each chapter is essentially someone different and then we have to remember who is who... and honestly, most of the characters blend into each other. They are either the ones that are all for banning books or the ones that are completely against it. There are political themes that run through this and whether you agree or not, it is certainly not a hidden agenda.

The message is clear: books can help people. They have a purpose and people can find themselves in books. Banning them is not the answer.

But by making light of some situations and going over the top isn't the way to do it. Nor is it to introduce so many characters, we have no connection to any of them. The chapters often ended with a cliff hanger of sorts, just to be picked up again elsewhere with different people letting you know what happened. I get what the author was trying to do, but it didn't work well for me.

I would like to thank HarperCollins for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. I did try to complete it, and it’s not that it’s a bad book, I just couldn’t stay interested in it. I loved the overall theme and idea behind the book, and the writing could be really funny at times, but it just wasn’t for me. (I did not rate this book publicly since I did not finish it. However, I did leave a review)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the topic couldn’t be more important than right now! It was a simple story yet has A LOT to unpack-would be great for book clubs.

I am so very disappointed here. I read The Change by this author 2 years go and absolutely LOVED it! So I jumped at the change to read this. And I’ve been trying to do just that for over six months. I tried reading. Listening. And I just can’t get through it.

I cannot stand being preached to and that’s how this book feels to me. I will always say…tell me your story and let ME come to my own conclusions. That’s the beauty of reading, is it not? I don’t need to be told how bad something is. I should be able to come or that conclusion all on my own through the writing.

Thank you anyway to Netgalley, William Morrow Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so much fun to read! It captures all of the loveliness of connection and tradition in a small, Southern town and all of the behind the scenes mischief.

There is something in it to offend everyone…but in the best way!

This was one of those books that left me unsure of how to feel once I finished it. It made me realize I haven’t read many books set in the South, which was an interesting perspective. When I started, I didn’t expect to get so many different points of view. While I was hoping for a bit more interconnectedness between the characters, it felt like there were a few storylines introduced but never fully resolved. It might have been stronger with fewer characters. That said, it’s definitely topical and relevant to the issues we’re dealing with today.

“It’s hard to believe we live in a world where parents let their kids beat sex workers in Grand Theft Auto and then worry that a graphic novel about a nonbinary person is going to screw them up.”
I loved this realistic fiction novel by Kirsten Miller. As a school librarian, book bans and book challenges are part of my existence. So this book really hit me in the heart. When Lula Dean decides to jump on the book banning wagon, she sets off a firestorm in the community, and later on in the country. Miller does a great job of incorporating the little library of books into each person’s story in the books. While featuring many different characters, she manages to weave their stories together throughout the book. This book would be an awesome read for book clubs. I highly recommend this book! 4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.

This was not what I expected. Very clever, lots of lessons and ethics, not so much a book about books as a book about people.

Kirsten Miller’s latest novel is a sharp, hilarious satire that takes on book banning and censorship with a clever mix of humor and social commentary. Set in the small town of Troy, Georgia, the story centers around the rivalry between Beverly Underwood and Lula Dean, two women with opposing views on what’s appropriate for their community. When Lula starts a little lending library outside her home to replace the "inappropriate" books from the local library, things quickly spiral out of control as her books are swapped with a collection of banned ones—everything from gay romances to witchcraft, from Black history to classic novels.

The true strength of the novel lies in its exploration of the transformative power of books. Miller does an excellent job showing how the right book can spark change, ignite new perspectives, and push people to challenge their preconceived notions. The humor is sharp, and the characters are well-drawn—Miller's witty writing brings life to everyone from the likable protagonists to the more disagreeable townspeople. The dynamic between Beverly and Lula, with their contrasting views on knowledge and control, is an entertaining and engaging central conflict, but as the story grows, so does the battle for who gets to control what people read and know.

The pacing is excellent, and the way Miller juggles multiple perspectives and subplots keeps things moving without feeling overcrowded. The novel touches on important themes like censorship, homophobia, racism, and the right to knowledge, while still making readers laugh. It’s a thought-provoking yet light-hearted read, with just the right balance of humor and social relevance. The book addresses tough topics without feeling too heavy-handed, making it a smart, accessible read.

However, while I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I felt some of the secondary storylines could have used a bit more depth. With so many characters and perspectives, a few of the side plots didn’t feel as fully realized as they could have been. Additionally, some readers may find the shift in tone from humor to serious topics a little jarring at times. The ending, though satisfying, felt a bit too neat given the messy, complex issues the book explores.

Overall, this is a wonderfully entertaining, timely, and insightful read that packs both humor and heart.

4 stars. It’s an engaging story with a meaningful message, though it could have explored certain aspects a little more deeply.

I absolutely loved Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books! Banning books has been such a hot topic, and I enjoyed reading about a proponent getting what she deserved. Great read!

Thank you for access to this ARC. Unfortunately I will not be able to read this and give it a proper review. I apologize, and if I have time to properly review it I will return to it.

4 entertaining and informative stars
“The trick is getting to know people well enough to tell their stories. You can’t just assume you know what they’re like. You have to pay attention. You got to watch and listen.”

Miller does an excellent job paying attention to Southern culture and current American problems. The characters’ backstories explain and humanize them. Serious topics are tackled with humor. “The family trees around here are as tangled as a box of Christmas lights.” “Since the town’s newspaper had gone belly up three years earlier, Facebook was Troy’s sole source of local news – if that’s what you wanted to call the gossip, hearsay, wild speculation, conspiracy theories and general insanity that Jonathan’s neighbors tossed with their fact salads.”

In the important Note from the Author at the end, Miller writes, “Even now in the digital age, the written word remains the bedrock of all learning. Books and the libraries that house them are among our most precious resources.” She tackles book banning and Southern statuary with a humorous, informative hand. I like that the chapter titles are often references to books, some of which have been banned. The end got a bit predictably goofy, as expected, but Lula’s Little Library with the cumbersome title was a fun and informative read. Lots of good material for book clubs.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I can see why people loved this book but it didn't really work for me. I really appreciated what Kirsten Miller was trying to convey, and the messages in this book are very important, but I did not enjoy it. I had a hard time caring about any of the characters.

But I do love where she was coming from in writing this book and think there are very important topics approached that people need to be discussing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!