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!

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.