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.

Miller blends humor with deeper themes of censorship, freedom of expression, and the power of literature. Lula is a relatable, witty protagonist, and the magical library setting adds a sense of wonder. The story encourages readers to think critically about the importance of free speech and the danger of silencing voices.

Overall, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is a delightful, engaging read that celebrates the transformative power of stories and reminds readers of the importance of access to diverse ideas.

This book is a liberal fantasy - don’t get me wrong it’s fun and I wish we could change the world with a little library. I. The current political climate it gave hope that people can change and that hate can be overcome by knowledge. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

This is a sweet story of the power of books in bringing a community together. In the small town of Troy, Georgia one woman, Lula Dean, leads an effort to ban books she deems inappropriate from the public library. She then sets up a Free Little Library outside her house with "appropriate" books. In reaction to the banned books, another character fills the Little Library with banned books with deceptive book jackets. I really enjoyed how this story showed various characters finding unexpected books that led to a range of personal and social awakenings. As enjoyable as this book was, it is very much an idealized world of what is possible. Things are tied together very easily, and many of the characters are simple. I am excited to read more by Kristen Miller.

I recommend this book as a heartwarming tale of a community coming together and learning how to support one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow books for providing an eARC in return for my honest review.

Such a smart, engaging and timely book. I really liked The Change, so I was hopeful that I’d love this author’s subsequent book, too. I wasn’t disappointed. I appreciated the way that each character’s story intertwined so poignantly with specific titles in literature. It made me value the ways that books really help you get through life, through difficult situations, through the crossroads where decisions need to be made. Books can fortify you when you most need direction and focus. I think this novel would lead to a great discussion at book clubs. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest feedback.

A witty and provocative collection of stories on the butterfly effect books have. Lula Dean is the “Karen” of her small town. She embodies a mom’s for liberty agenda and rises to fame while destroying uncouth books. In place, she erects a little free library of sorts in front of her house with books she assume are better for society. Unfortunately, for her, the youth of the town switch the books and the dust jackets (I guess there are no paperbacks and all the books are the same size) so that unsuspecting townsfolk will read the book they NEED instead of the book that Lula Dean dictates.

Cue a multitude of shorts of how these “scandalous” but, inevitably, helpful books transpire around the town, exposing hard truths.


A wonderful concept and fast read but not entertaining enough to recommend.

This was an enjoyable and engaging story. It starts off with a small town that starts to ban books. One woman’s library turns into a secret place for these banned books to be read unbeknownst herself. As people read these banned books it inspires them to take action in their own way.

“Only books in Lula’s library are about cakes and Newt Gingrich. I don’t know how she manages to be evil and boring, but damn, if Lula ain’t killing it”

A love letter to libraries and the magic of books, this book has it all–humor, satire, and entertaining from cover to cover. Miller dazzled me with The Change, being one of my top books of the year and this one follows suit, with her signature brand of suburban mischief and a dose of social commentary. I absolutely loved it!

Thanks to HARPER COLLINS for the early look and AUDIOBOOKScom for the audio copy. The audio was fantastic, narrated by January Lavoy, it captured the characters flawlessly.

I loved the references to so many great books that have been banned throughout, and how they ended up in the hands of just who needed them.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books is highly enjoyable read. It not only showcased a variety of banned literature but also provided insightful commentary on the reasons behind their censorship. Dean’s writing is engaging and accessible, making the complexities of literary freedom relatable. The book serves as a fantastic starting point for discussions about the importance of free expression. Overall, a must-read for book lovers and advocates of intellectual freedom

It goes overboard on the themes:, misogyny, gender discrimination, racism, homophobia, religious discrimination, discriminatory school policies, mental health, gaslighting, anti-Semitism, closet Nazis, slavery, rape, the role of the media in spreading hate, fake news, and many more. Every single theme was important, no doubt. But not all of them needed to be in a single book.

The story was to tidy. Everything worked out perfectly and it wasn't realistic. I liked the books that were featured.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for my gifted eARC.

I absolutely love books about books and I loved this one! I definitely recommend to all book lovers!

Lula Dean is a deeply unhappy woman. Neglected by her children, alone and unappreciated, she strikes on a way to gain the attention she knows that she deserves. She embarks on a crusade to remove books she deems objectionable from local libraries, and she sets a sterling example for her town by erecting a little library on her lawn, a collection of the wholesome material she thinks is most appropriate. Little does she know that one of the town’s youths has snuck out in the dead of night and inserted banned books inside the dust jackets of the books she originally placed there. Her library becomes wildly popular, and Lula hasn’t a clue why.

My thanks go to NetGalley and William Morrow for the review copy. This book is for sale now.

The moment I saw the synopsis for this novel, I knew I had to read it. The First Amendment is a hot button for many people in the U.S., and as a language arts teacher, it’s been at forefront of my mind for most of my adult life. And I think I can safely say that Lula Dean is a soft sell; readers are generally a receptive audience, and so any novel containing the word “book” or “library” in its title should, I would argue, be held to a slightly higher standard. It’s not that hard to preach to the choir.

I love the premise of this story, and I laugh out loud more than once at the beginning. After that, though, things flatten out a bit. There are a lot of characters here, and whereas I have no difficulty keeping them straight, their numbers may have prevented author Kirsten Miller from fully developing them. I feel as if I am reading, for the most part, about cartoon cutouts rather than real people; had I felt as if the characters were real, I would have been more deeply invested in their outcomes. However, everyone in this thing is either a fine, enlightened character or a despicable, ignorant blowhard. It accurately represents the way many Americans regard those around them, blue versus red, and that is not helpful. Two characters that stand out better than others are side character Beverly Underwood, and the young Elijah. However, even these are not dynamic characters. Nearly everyone here is the same going out as they were coming in.

Those looking for a short, funny novel to toss in their suitcase over the holidays could do worse; they could also do better. The sad thing is that had this been written in a more intentional way, with the literary standards one would hope to see in any novel, it could have been impressive, might even have changed a few hearts. This book isn’t going to do that, and so I see it as an opportunity squandered.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book's look at a small, Southern town and it's battle between those who are wanting to ban books of certain topics and those who are opposed. It begins with several laugh-out-loud anecdotes regarding specific townspeople and the controversial books to which their behavior is attributed (mostly real titles of challenged books). As the book progresses, and we see the power that books do and do not have over people, the treatment of themes such as censorship, racism, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexual assault, and violence becomes more serious. Prospective readers should definitely consider the many trigger warnings, as their treatment may only anger those who are ultra conservative.

Lula Dean's Library of Banned Books is a captivating and thought-provoking read that shines a spotlight on the often contentious topic of censorship. With its unique narrative structure, the book unfolds through alternating stories of diverse characters. This clever storytelling technique not only keeps readers engaged but also illustrates the interconnectedness of their struggles and triumphs.

What I loved most about the book is how it balances humor with weighty themes. The characters are vividly drawn, bringing a mix of wit and wisdom that makes their journeys both relatable and enlightening. Lula Dean’s exploration of the reasons behind book bans is insightful, tackling issues like freedom of expression, identity, and the power of storytelling in a way that is both accessible and profound.

As the chapters progress, the threads of each character’s story begin to weave together, culminating in a satisfying and poignant conclusion that reinforces the importance of literature in our lives. The humor laced throughout lightens the narrative without undermining the seriousness of the subject matter, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the cultural implications of censorship.

Overall, Lula Dean's Library of Banned Books is an essential read for anyone passionate about literature and the freedom to read. It's a delightful reminder of how stories can connect us, challenge us, and ultimately, empower us. Highly recommended!

This was a timely book considering how schools and libraries are still banning books. It had serious subjects, but it also had some hilarious parts. The end had me in stiches!
I really enjoyed reading this book and have recommended it to a lot of my library patrons.

This wasn't really what I was hoping for it to be and that let me down big time. This was very politically driven and I felt myself rolling my eyes and getting mildly frustrated with the way the author was portraying some of the characters. I think that this is something I'd enjoy if I was in the right mood for it, but when I read this ARC, I simply wasn't there. It was well-written and I felt a connection with a few of the characters, so this is one I might come back to one day, but for now this is going to have to be a DNF with future potential for me.

Do you have a favorite banned book? A LOT of my favorite books have been banned at one time or another. In honor of banned books week this past week, I’m finally posting a review of a book I read and loved in August.

Lula Dean has never read the books she wants to ban, but she has heard that they contain dangerous ideas. She takes her outrage out by getting many, many books banned. She becomes a local celebrity for “saving” the children. She puts a little library of books she deems appropriate in front of her house. Her lifelong nemesis, Beverly Underwood, has a daughter named Lindsay. Lindsay goes to Lula Dean’s little library and puts banned books within the slip covers of the appropriate books. What will the town readers think when they read the banned books?

My thoughts on this book:
• Different characters in town read different banned books that open their eyes to a wider world view, and it changes their lives.

• This was a well-crafted social satire novel. It was very engaging and humorous.

• I enjoyed all the different characters and subplots.

• It was fun seeing what different books that have been banned in the US were found in the little library and how they changed lives. For example, the wife of Nazi sympathizer reads a copy of The Diary of Anne Frank.

• This book is very timely and deals with current issues. Do not read this if you don’t like to read about politics.

• The citizens of the small town have different politics, but they can explore their differing opinions and change their perspectives.

• There is a great author’s note at the end that discusses her inspirations, being from the South herself. There is also a list of the books named in the chapters and whether they are banned.

• This book is very inclusive in the types of characters that live in the small town.

Overall, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is a timely social satire that was a great read.

Book Source: Review copy from NetGalley. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.