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!

While I agree with the message and themes of this book, it was written in a way that I found overly simplistic and unbelievable. Every character had a heart of gold and just needed the right book to give them an epiphany about the importance of acceptance.

This was a tough one for me. I liked it, but I also knew that the southern aspect of the book was purposely over the top. It was a sending a message, but I am not sure the people who need this message will actually read or finish this book - the message being that book banning is not ok. This book was middle of the road for me and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I would have enjoyed it more if the characters weren't caricatures of people in a small southern town. For those that want a book to read after a long day at work, this one will do. It is not too deep and won't keep you turning the pages long after lights should be out.

I hate that I waited so long to read this book. It was adorable and hilarious and now I need a little free library! Will recommend to all of my book loving friends!

This book wasn’t for me. At first I thought the concept of the banned books and the controversial statue was interesting, but I think it was too slow and drawn out.

I love a good literary fiction and this one did not disappoint! I really enjoyed each page and every chapter!

This book is just a delight and truly very entertaining. She writes about a small southern town, that is struggling with book bans, much like many other small American towns. Lula Dean has made it her mission to rid the town of all the books she deems inappropriate and replace them with the books that has made her a true Southern lady. Lula sets up a lending library in her front yard, and fills it with her worthy literature. Then, a woman named Lindsey removes these books and adds her own. Lindsey fills it with true classics like Beloved, by adding the old book jacket. Slowly, the rest of the town gets curious and starts to borrow the books. I think this story highlights how ridiculous book banning really is, and how people are better for reading diverse books. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. Also, I would be happy to read any future works by Miller. Thank you for the ARC.

Loved this quirky book. Such a delight! I would highly recommend this to all! Super quirky and a fast read.

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is such a brilliant, timely novel that I couldn’t put it down. Set in the small Southern town of Troy, Georgia, the story masterfully balances humor and sharp social commentary while tackling the issue of censorship.

The book centers on Lula Dean, a self-proclaimed guardian of “traditional values,” who decides to purge the town library of books she deems inappropriate—without ever reading them. In their place, she curates her own “little library” filled with what she considers wholesome content. But the plot takes a delightful twist when Lindsay, the teenage daughter of a local librarian, secretly swaps out Lula’s approved books with banned ones cleverly disguised under unassuming dust jackets. What happens next is a community-wide awakening that’s as humorous as it is poignant.

What I loved most about this novel is how it celebrates the transformative power of literature. As the townspeople unknowingly read these banned books, their minds and perspectives begin to shift in unexpected ways, leading to moments of personal growth and community change. Miller’s writing is sharp and full of heart, capturing the quirks of small-town life while addressing the broader implications of censorship in today’s world.

This book is not only a celebration of the freedom to read but also a powerful reminder of how stories can connect and challenge us. It’s witty, thought-provoking, and incredibly relevant in today’s climate of book bans and debates over intellectual freedom. If you’re passionate about books and their ability to shape the world, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is an absolute must-read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller!

4.75 stars rounded up.

What a brilliant, BRILLANT book. I was intrigued by the book blurb but was absolutely captivated from chapter 1. I loved the way that all chapters / vignette wove together from start to finish.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Kirsten Miller, and William Morrow for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Kirsten Miller's contemporary satire novel "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books". It was a refreshing, well-written read that intertwined a small southern town, history, and the current climate of banned books in the US. I love the variety of characters in this novel, varying age groups, genders, financial status, and racial backgrounds. I thought it was clever of Miller to name each character after a "book" - some including banned book titles.

This is my first novel I read from Kirsten Miller. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style and hope to read more of her works in the future!

4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kirsten Miller, and William Morrow Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I liked the idea of this one more than the execution. It tried really hard but in the end I just didn’t love it.

A little too neatly tied up for the large cast. And everyone learned the perfect lesson for the theme of the book... just too neat in a world where it is so messy.

Each chapter felt like a vignette that wove together the impact of Lula Dean's book banning mission and the impact reading the secret banned books had on individual townspeople. I liked the deeper character dives and how they interconnected and moved the story forward. I also found this thought-provoking and am looking forward to discussing it more- why do people ban books? What are they afraid of? Why is change so hard? I the characters were unique and deftly described. Lots to think and talk about.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Lulu Dean's Little Library of Banned Books written by Kirsten Miller is a well researched book about old prejudices in the South, banned books, and family. The characters are well developed. I loved this book and found it to be timely on the subject matter. I highly recommend Lulu Dean. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was so cute, funny, and heartwarming. Exactly the kind of read I needed! Highly recommend.

The small town of Troy, Georgia, is home to Lula Dean. To many, Lula is a crankpot that’s lived her entire life finding fault with how others choose to live their lives. To Lula, she is a champion of the people, fighting to keep wholesome family values and the all-important history of Troy alive and well. In an attempt to garner attention, Lula goes on a book banning spree, convincing the majority of the town to pull books with “questionable morals and values” from the shelves of the local library and replace them with virtuous books highlighting family, history and honorable hobbies in her own free little library. Unbeknownst to Lula, a member of the neighborhood decides to take it upon themselves to replace Lula’s books with the banned books by switching out the book jackets. As the townspeople begin to borrow books from Lula’s new little library, Lula’s impact becomes far reaching in the town, but not exactly how she expected it.

📘I was impressed by the sheer number of characters that were included in this book and how all of their stories wove amongst each other.
📘Dealt with themes of racism, religion, morals and ethics, historical truths, and tolerance
📘This book delivered a very powerful message and was an extremely entertaining, heart warming read from laugh out loud funny to informative to reflective.

Loved this book about challenging book banning in a small town. Especially watching the villain's plan of banning books back fire.

I really enjoyed this book. The topic of banned books, fascism, far-right religious extremism, and the lack of acceptance so many people are facing is such a timely topic right now. I enjoyed the way the community came together, how the villains eventually got their comeuppance (mostly), and the way the younger and older generations learned from each other. The choices of books that were actually in Lula Dean's library were hilarious. On the whole, I enjoyed this book and my only regret is that we don't see this outcome happening in the towns banning books across America.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.