ery clever plot, great characters, and a HEA. Unfortunately, I think I am so jaded from the current state of America, that it just felt so sad and unachievable. That isn’t fair to the writer- and hopefully others with a more optimistic approach to the future, were able to enjoy it more than I!

The story introduces Lula Dean, the town Karen, a complete stereotype of the suburban book-banning matriarch. She was everything we've ever seen our heard about in our real lives, especially to those of us that have one in our town. Well written, properly crazy, but, this depressed me.

Several characters were introduced who are also duplicates of our real lives, to serve as foils or support to our awful main character- the local gay teacher, black families, a couple of closet nazis, anf white families who just "stay out if it". all of these characters interact or have history with each other, making a neighborhood that gossips, helps, ruins, or saves each other, all because of a little free library a young woman slipped banned books into. Each book found coincidentally changes the course of its reader's life, and chaos ensues amidst an election for local mayorship.

Good book, no regrets, but despite the HEA, I just found myself even more depressed about America because no one living like this in real-life towns facing these issue will ever change their mind so easily.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars! Loved the description, and the book did not disappoint. If you are ok with book banning....maybe don't read this book, you'll probably be offended (but then that means you should read it....). The book switches focus to different characters throughout, making it an engaging read and covering multiple different viewpoints without losing the reader. Enjoyed the diverse cast of characters (and the cast of books in the little library).

I am a big fan of Kristen Miller’s previous book, The Change, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books. This book took small town characters and pairs them with large and difficult issues/conversations. This book shows the power of books and the power of those who believe in each other and can ban together to create a change.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!

Lula Dean‘s Little Library Of Band Books by Kiersten Miller is about the Little town of Troy Georgia and it’s residence. Lula Dean is a widow who has always try to garner attention and it’s usually by causing someone else grief. She once called the cops on Girl Scouts for selling cookies in Jackson Square saying they were doing business on government property she tried to call out Amazon because they sold butt plugs and when she found a cake book that told how to make penis cakes she started a family coalition and went around banning and removing books. In Lula‘s mind Beverly Underwood is her rival from the man she married to being president of the school board ever since high school she has always compared herself to Beverly and never felt as if she measured up and it didn’t help that her grandfather lost the local mill and made her a middle class citizen. After banning the books she put a little house shaped box on a post in her front yard and put acceptable books that she claims she read inside of it like chicken soup for the soul, the new contract by Newt Gingrich and A Southern Ladies Book On Etiquette just to name a few, but little does Lula know all the books have been replaced and covered up by the dust jackets of her own thrift store books. As people in the town take books ironically little do they know the book they pick will affect their life tremendously. Soon things in town start going crazy from a woman doing spells in the woods naked to another woman calling out her husband for being a Nazi sympathizer and that is just the beginning. This book is definitely going to be one of those books that when someone ask do you know a good book I can read I am going to recommend this one. They do have a lot of characters in this book but I think Kirsten Miller did a great job giving them backstories, not only with the good guys those deemed the bad guys as well. I wish I could wax poetic about the great insight Kiersten Miller had in creating all her characters. I do want to say however I at the end of the book was still not sure what Lula‘s daughters did I kind of thought they were strippers but then they to said they were doing gods work… So I DK if someone else knows please tell me. This was a great book and although I usually name my favorite characters they were just too many good ones to pick from but if I was forced I would have to pick the doctor I loved him! I think people say the book is too political because they don’t agree with the sentiment because I just found this to be a great entertaining funny read I cannot think of one bad thing about this book it was totally entertaining heartwarming a quick fun read. I want to thank William Morrow for my free arc copy via NetGalley. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I first was introduced to Kirsten Miller from a friend who suggested we read The Change for book club. It was incredible and just like it, Lula Deans Little Library of Banned Books was amazing. I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book, but as a resident in a small town in the South, it hits every single point. Why reading is so important and access to materials is just as important. I loved the characters that came with each book and the story overall. Definitely a hit and will recommend to anyone!

This was very cute and humorous, with hints of Carl Hiaassen or Christopher Moore. Good distinction between characters, however they did evolve into caricatures of every hot topic in the US. I’ve recommended it to two customers, one wanting something funny and one who wanted a lighthearted story.

Oh, this was a fun, timely read! This is a book for book lovers! I loved how Miller took such important topics (book banning, racism, homophobia) and wove them so carefully through the use of other books. For such heavy topics, there is also so much humor and warmth in this story.

This is a fantastic timely read.  When Lula decides to start a crusade against books in her small Georgia town she puts a free little library in front of her house filled with "wholesome" books. However someone has switched out all the book covers and replaced the books with books on Lulas banned list. As the town starts finding reads in Lula's library they discover more about themselves and the world. 

As we all know the more you read the more your eyes are open to the world around you.  The more you learn the more open to new experiences you become.  Banning books keeps people ignorant and ignorant people are easily led. As the town starts to learn, their eyes open to what is going on around them, secret nazi's hiding in plain sight, disturbed young men in need of guidance, queer young people who need acceptance, older people becoming brainwashed by the fear mongering media and women who realize they are worth more than being subservient to the men in their lives. 

I want to stock every free little library in my town with this book! Reading is the key to acceptance, empathy and compassion.

⭐️4/5

This book is so timely and relevant for all the discussions that are happening around book banning right now. While parts might be a little idyllic, it’s really important in driving the gravity of the situation.

This book has a huuuge number of characters and I really thought I was going to get lost trying to remember them all. And there were times when just the mention of somebody’s name didn’t trigger who they were to me. However, the way this book was written was so good, in that I was able to be reminded who was who within less than a sentence of a character being mentioned. It really did feel like I knew the whole dang town by the time I was finished.

Sometimes this book was super cheesy and sometimes it was super serious, and sometimes it felt like I was getting whiplash going between the two. I’m not sure how this could’ve been avoided, but it did have me rolling my eyes at some parts and just cringing at others.

Overall it’s a feel good book with the always needed reminders to look inward while also trying to care for those around you.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review

I loved this wonderful book from Kirsten Miller. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it just made me happy in the end. The characters, while sometimes stereotypes, were all so real - every town has a Lula, a Beverly, a Logan and couples like the Wrights or the Kellys. It did a great job on focusing on so many issues that are dividing our country today. The message really came through that books don't hurt people - only people hurt other people. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

This book was so entertaining!
The overall concept of a little free library full of banned books is truly unique and the execution was delightful. This book dives into book banning and the ripple effect it has on a community. I enjoyed how each chapter was a different vignette within the community and it was interesting how all of these individual stories intertwined and built off each other. I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a fun story about a relevant topic.

"I don't know how she manages to be evil and boring, but damn, if Lula ain't killing it."
Somehow the author manages to tackle truly serious and sometimes dark subjects such a racism, homophobia, and much more, yet keeping it light and not suffocating. The story of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books takes place in a rural town in Georgia. Lula has taken it upon herself to ban books that "...encourage our children to use drugs, have sex, and pursue the homosexual lifestyle." We have a phrase that we use here in the south to refer to someone like Lula, "Bless Her Heart."

A 2013 NIH study concluded "The study shows that fictional narrative experiences have effects on people’s skills, such as empathy." By banning books such as the "smut" known as The Diary of Anne Frank (um, alrighty then Lula,) how can we correct and learn from past mistakes? How can we learn to accept people that aren't like us if we don't know their stories?

The author weaves together the lives of many townspeople throughout the story, and while it can be a tad confusing keeping up with who is who at times, it all comes together with a wonderful and powerful message of inclusivity and oftentimes with a humorous undertone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the stories of the diverse cast of characters we meet along the way. But let's keep this book a secret from our friends in Florida, we wouldn't want this one to get banned too! /s

I read The Change and absolutely loved it so I was very excited to get a copy of this book.

This is a light hearted take on social issues. It’s written with both comedy and warmth and has a good message of kindness.

The book takes place in a small town in Georgia. Lulu is a hardcore conservative. She goes overboard with her ideology and starts a campaign to ban books that she has never even read. She creates a little library of wholesome books for the community to borrow but then someone switches them for the banned books.

Each chapter introduces a new town resident that is struggling with their own issues and finds comfort and motivation from the banned books. The issues addressed in this book range from homophobia to racism.

Overall I did enjoy this book. The author is funny and her humor shines through in the pages. I found the characters interesting. I do have a few mixed feelings about this book though. I felt like there were a lot of characters and I wanted to see more of a concise plot. At times I felt the book wandered off point. I can say that I recommend this book though.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

I work at a library in a small Southern town, so this book touches on my biggest concerns - a “concerned citizen” with an agenda. Definitely relevant, and thought-provoking, but also funny. Loved it.

As an owner of a book store, bookseller and Library Board Member, I was anxious to read this book. I so enjoyed this story. There is, of course, the antagonist and her followers and the good guys. (My opinion).there are many intertwined stories involving the young, the middle aged and the aged and their back stories. As in many small communities there are many grievances from the past that seem to reappear in the current story. It is such a timely story and is handles with humor and compassion.

While dealing with a very serious subject - book bans, Kirsten Miller delivered a fantastic story
full of humor, some mystery and plenty to think about.

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. The topic is so important and this book really got me thinking more about book bans.

The novel kicks off in small-town Georgia where two middle-aged women who have been feuding since high school are battling over what books are appropriate for the town’s children. You know the classic stuff - fear mongering, scaring people saying there are books that will “turn you gay,” “books pushing CRT, “ etc. - that garbage. The neighbor who is working to ban books puts up a Little Free Library full of “wholesome” books by Trump, conservative politics and baking/craft books. It quickly moves into a young woman “infiltrating” this Little Free Library (LFL) by taking banned books and placing them in the “wholesome” dust jackets and placing them back into the library. The town starts reading them and comedy, drama, and chance ensues!

The plot moves well, there are well developed and diverse characters, the writing is great and the topics explored are fascinating. This is a must-summer-read!

We all see the little free libraries out in our communities, but it wasn’t until I read this book that I thought one could be a tool for change. I’m going to put some important books in my local LFLs this summer… including this one!!

This book is going to get banned! And that is probably the highest praise! Seriously, if it is a subject that riles up the conservatives looking to control what people have access to reading, then it is in this book! Between that and the constant grandstanding against racism, sexism, homophobia, witches, indigenous people, transgender, sex work, etc (did I leave a box unchecked?), this book hit all the book banning boxes! And, before I start telling you all the things that maybe I didn't like about the book, I will tell you that I really really really enjoyed it! I loved the characters. Some felt more nuanced than others, some felt a bit typecast, but being set in a small town, the reader is told about interpersonal histories that still impact relationships now. And I liked that it discussed topics that exist everywhere but aren't visible to those not directly impacted by them. But, then at times it got a bit too heavy handed and preachy. At some points it made me chuckle but at other points it felt a bit too forced, like there was a list that needed to be checked to not miss a subject. While all the stories were resolved by the end, I would have preferred fewer of them. Some times this felt more like a collection of connected short stories instead of a solid book. The reader almost forgets what the main plot was while enjoying all the random stories that popped up. End result: I loved the book and the subject! I wish many of the topics had been touched with a lighter hand, or maybe fewer of them. But if that is what it took to have this book to read, I'll take it!

The world is a crazy place these days and this book tackles all of the controversial issues facing society. It was funny and satirical while still being serious about the “hot topics” in our nation. Lula Dean is leading the charge banning books in a small town in Georgia, but what occurs after she opens her little free library is unexpected. All of the character’s storylines were weaved seamlessly into one major plot. Bravo Kirsten Miller! Save the books! This is a story that needs to be told. I was so lucky to read the ARC of this one! Thank you to @netgalley, @williammorrowbooks, and @kirstenmillerbooks. This one may get people talking but I think that's the goal right? Have the conversations about the tough topics!

Thank you to netgalley and William Morrow Publisher for allowing me to read this book. This book is fast paced and full of humerus stories. The book has some serious issues as well but funny stories outweigh it. Lula Dean has a little free library in the South but, it is not the little free library that everyone is accustomed to. I enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down I was lucky to read an advanced copy. This book will be popular when it comes out.