3.75 stars

This story is a combo of laugh out loud funny lines and very serious situations. The author is a Southerner who is honest about the down side of her heritage.

This deal with contemporary issues: racism, book banning, homophobia, the political divide, date rape, BLM, and Confederate statues among other things.

Some of the characters are a tad stereotypical - you have the closet Nazi sympathizer, the anti-woke mom pulling books off the library shelves, and the troubled heavily armed young malcontent. But the plot doesn't always unfold in a predictable way.

Lula Dean has spent her life trying to be noticed and appreciated. Her book-banning crusade plays on the community's fears and she uses it as a platform to thrust herself into the spotlight. In the meantime, the Little Free Library she starts full of wholesome books gets hijacked when someone substitutes more provocative titles hidden in the dust jackets. And that sometimes changes attitudes and lives.

This was a fun but thoughtful read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books is the kind of book that reminds you how much you love to read.

Lula Dean is the town busybody. She's the leader of a the Concerned Parents Committee, a committee that SHE founded. Her mission is to remove all 'offensive' books from school and libraries. In order to encourage people to read 'better' books, she sets up a Little Free Library in her front yard.

At the same time, her archenemy's daughter takes the books and switches the dust jackets onto books that people actually want to read. The town and it's people learn and heal....all while a mayoral race between Lula and her arch enemy heats up.

While this was a fun read, it touched on real hot topics that are affecting our nation and education system. Topics like race and sexism are touched on as is the rise of the alt-right. While the end felt a little TOO cute, this is still an important story to tell.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book .

⭐️: 5/5

In a small town in Georgia, Lula Dean has made it her mission to remove all the public libraries of books she deems inappropriate, and starts her own small lending library in her yard, full of “safe” books. Lula’s rival, Beverly, opposes this ban, and her daughter Lindsey switches Lula’s books with the banned books. As one by one, the neighbors borrow books from Lula’s library, they find their lives changed irrevocably, all as the tensions within the town begin to reach a boiling point.

Having the option to read a book with a physically or digitally is honestly elite reader status, so I loved getting the physical ARC in addition to the eARC of this one! Even if I just had one, I would’ve loved this book. It’s kind of a narrative told primarily via a bunch of short anecdotes about various people in the town and how the little free library personally impacted them, which centers on them and their lives, but also moves the overarching story along in an interesting way. I feel like this could have made the whole thing feel choppy, but it didn’t at all! This did have all the hallmarks of one of those “in a perfect world” books where the people in the wrong always come around to the way of the people who are clearly in the right, and everyone who doesn’t is clearly worse off because of it. It’s highly unrealistic, but also super cathartic when reading it, because isn’t reading essentially escapism? Sometimes we want to be able to pretend that the world we live in isn’t as shitty as it actually is. Anyway, this book was funny, relevant, and engrossing, and I will be recommending it to everyone!

Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for this free ARC for my review!!

Beverly Underwood and her arch enemy, Lula Dean, live in the tiny town of Troy, Georgia, where they were born and raised. Now Beverly is on the school board, and Lula has become a local celebrity by embarking on mission to rid the public libraries of all inappropriate books—none of which she’s actually read. To replace the “pornographic” books she’s challenged at the local public library, Lula starts her own lending library in front of her home: a cute wooden hutch with glass doors and neat rows of the worthy literature that she’s sure the town’s readers need.

What Lula doesn’t know is that a local troublemaker has stolen her wholesome books, removed their dust jackets, and restocked Lula’s library with banned books: literary classics, gay romances, Black history, witchy spell books, Judy Blume novels, and more. One by one, neighbors who borrow books from Lula Dean’s library find their lives changed in unexpected ways. Finally, one of Lula Dean’s enemies discovers the library and decides to turn the tables on her, just as Lula and Beverly are running against each other to replace the town’s disgraced mayor.

This gem started out a little slow for me, but I am so glad I kept at it. This book is a gem, and it speaks to important issues we are facing today in the US (and around the world). Such a fun and creative premise. I loved the writing, the characters, and the plot. Chef's kiss brilliant!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I gave Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books five ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Net Galley, Harper Collins and Kristen Miller for the ARC. These are my honest opinions.

I loved this book! I’m not even sure exactly what category this book fits in. The storytelling is great! It was funny, but serious at the same time. It captured my attention right off the bat and I had a hard time putting it down.

It was a light read, but also heavy. Which doesn’t make any sense, I know. But, it tackled some very heavy ideology, but in a light way so it doesn’t feel threatening. But, it still drives home what needs to be discussed.

The characters are rich and entertaining and even though, there are a lot of them, it was easy to keep up with them.

Just an all around good book that needed to be written. Thank you Kristen Miller!

Do Not be fooled by the title. It hides a treasure. Lula Dean is only one character and not the best one either.
I would give this book more stars than 5, it's that good. Stellar in my opinion. At first, I wondered where we (I was just going along for the ride) were going but after one chapter (ok, i'm slow but so what) I was rocking with each new "book." Got to the end and kinda hoped there was more. But a nice feel-good ending was appreciated.
No spoilers, but everyone needs to read this, more than once would be excellent. I highly recommend for all ages, sizes, shapes, and colors.
This one is on my shopping list to give to all my family and friends.

Stars times infinity. I loved this book. So many hot topics were covered in this book-sexual orientation, race, statutes and history, ignorance, bullying, family relationships-just to name a few. Kirsten Miller did a fabulous job supporting both sides of the situations in realistic scenarios. I recommend this novel for everyone regardless of how you stand on book bans. While reading I envision that Lula Dean was based on a Georgia politician with the initials MTG. This book is my new recommendation when people ask, “got a book suggestion?”.

The author's note at the end is so on point for issues that are in the news today. Now.more than ever, it's imperative that individuals and groups fight book bans and books being removed from schools and libraries by a minority of squeaky wheels. I almost put down this book about 25% in as it was SO sugary Southern but I am glad I stuck with it. Replacing horrible, unwanted books with books that make people think was brilliant. Hopefully this book inspires lots of resistance to book bans/book challenges by librarians, parents, teens and caring individuals.

An intriguing, captivating, thought-provoking, entertaining, hilarious read! Kirsten Miller explores several critical topics with grace, gravitas and glee. I loved reading about the Southern culture conflicts and how a small town copes with drama after drama.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this ARC.

In a small Southern town, Lula has made it her mission to replace the "pornographic" books she's challenged in her town's library with access to a quaint lending library in front of her home. This little free library offers lessons on southern charm and good family values that she sees as missing in today's world.

However, many people in the town aren't happy with the changes in the library system, and one resident decides to pull a literary prank unlike any other. All these charming and carefully curated books retain Lula's covers, but the books are replaced with banned novels that offer experiences for each of the residents who pick them up.

What unfolds is the discoveries that each person makes about themselves, their family members, and the town's heroes, which will change the lives of everyone forever through the power of these stories.

There are heartwarming moments like Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret, which teaches a boy about periods and what his mom's "bandages" under the sink are for. There are also more pivotal lessons, like a wife discovering The Diary of Anne Frank and understanding her husband's collection of Nazi memorabilia with a whole new lens. At its root, the books (some real, some fictional) showcase the empathy we discover when we read these novels for the first time.

Set up as short stories that entertain, some are beautifully fleshed-out experiences, while others offer readers unusually tidy or less well-developed endings. She provides a chapter for every hot-button topic in the news at a dizzying pace.

The story takes provocative turns that sometimes alienate conservative readers from conversations that could have happened in book clubs around banned books- halting what I believe could have reached a wider audience.

If you are left-leaning, this book will be a sheer delight.

An Important Message

"History is full of unintended consequences."

In a small southern town, a woman leads the cause of a concerned parents' group to ban books from schools and local libraries to protect children from unwholesome beliefs. She then builds a free little library promoting books with values that align with their "wholesome" beliefs. Unexpectedly, someone switches out the approved books with the banned ones, causing readers and townspeople to reassess their lives and understanding of their truths.

The novel's structure plays a significant role, as each chapter is titled based on a banned book or the title of a "wholesome" book. The character at the center of the chapter reads a book that changes their lives in ways they could have never imagined. For instance, a wife realizes that her husband is a Nazi sympathizer, a brother tries to understand the belief that a book turned his brother gay, and a woman concludes that her marriage is over, and so on.

The cast of characters is quite large and eccentric, especially the title character herself.

Around the halfway point, the structure changes as we revisit some characters from the earlier chapters to see how their lives have changed since reading a banned book.

This novel isn't without flaws: the structure gets repetitive, parts are preachy, and the ending goes off the rails; however, I am willing to overlook these aspects because of the impactful message.

The tone is serious, but there is also a lot of fun and humor woven in to lighten it up. Through the banned books, themes of racism, gender roles, sexuality, antisemitism, and others are explored. In essence, this novel serves as a powerful commentary on the dangers of banning books.

"Gather as much knowledge as you can, because information is power. And choosing how to use it is freedom."

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and William Morrow in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

“They were just ordinary people. That’s what makes them so terrifying. Monsters you can fight. But when the people who come for you in the night are your neighbors and coworkers and classmates…when you never know who’s sick and who’s not…” he shrugged. “Hate is a disease, Dawn.”

“When you have everything, the only luxury left is taking things away from others.”

“And as far as I know, Jesus never said a damn thing about gay folks or barbecue. But he sure did talk a lot about love.”

Lula Dean has a new fight in town. She needs to get rid of all these inappropriate books that are ruining the lives of the children in town. Beverlys daughter however, sees what she is doing and fills the library with the banned books, wrapped in the dust jackets of the books Lula deems “appropriate.” Suddenly the people in town are opening their eyes to a different way of life. One with less racism, homophobia, and sexism. When it comes down to Lula and Beverly fighting for the position of Mayor, who will prevail?

Oh man this book was just perfectly quotable! Seriously, I had to stop myself because instagram will only allow so many characters! I loved every second of this book! I was infuriated by Lula, and several other characters to be honest, but I just loved the way the “secret” books got passed around and how they changed the people in town. I also really enjoyed that almost each chapter was a different persons story, but they all wove together throughout. There is really nothing else to say except that you need to read this book!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What starts out as a nasty feud between two grown women who haven't liked each other leads to book banning, divorces, Neo-Nazis, and a whole lot of mess in Georgia.

Lula has hated Beverly since high school, so when she sees her chance to be seen as the protector and savior of children in a small town by challenging and then pulling any questionable book in any library in town, leaving Beverly, the head of the school board, to fight her. Lula then sets up a little free library in her front yard. Lindsay, Beverly's daughter, thinks that it is a hilarious idea to swap the "approved" books in the LFL with banned books, switching covers so no one is the wiser until they start to read them.

Different chapters show what happens to different people when they read a banned book that changes their way of thinking. Good book, a little heavy-handed at times, but enjoyable.

This book was super cute. It did start out a little slow and I was worried that the chapters did not flow very well. But by the 6th or 7th chapter it did all start to flow together. It tells about what happens when racism and bigotry get in the way of kindness. It is a really quick and great read

𝚊𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐.𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎.𝚎𝚗𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐.𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎

This novel delivered on every expectation I had, and then some! Miller transports us to a small Southern town in Georgia, and introduces us to a richly diverse cast of characters. The story tackles several politically charged and human rights issues that have dominated recent discourse.

We witness a group of progressive youngsters take the reins in combating Lula Dean and her goal of banning books she doesn't agree with. Miller masterfully uses these characters and themes to illustrate a hopeful vision: a world that is united because of, and despite, the differences of the individuals that make up the society.

The narrative highlights the human tendency to resist change, clinging to familiar comforts and privileges. Yet, through the eyes of Troy's citizens, Miller reveals the ease with which we can create positive transformations.

While all the characters resonated with complexity and depth, Wilma emerged as my absolute favorite. Her spirit bears a striking resemblance to Aunt Ada in Sara Goodman-Confino's "Don't Forget to Write." In fact, I would love to see more of Wilma and the other residents of Troy – a testament to Miller's captivating story-telling and character development.

I want to thank Kirsten Miller and William Morrow for the advanced reader copy of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books. The opinions expressed are my own. This book is scheduled to be released on June 18th. Pre-orders are available now!

This
Book
Is
SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOD.

In the town of Troy, Georgia, Lula Dean has decided that all books that are harmful to children and may cause them to stray from the path of righteousness (deemed by God- and Lula) should be removed from school and community libraries. As an upstanding citizen (insert thick sarcasm) Lula puts a lending library on her property to share the books that “have made her who she is”. Little does Lula know that one of Troy’s own has swapped the jackets and the town’s folk are taking home those banned books. They’re being read, discussed, embraced, understood and are changing people’s lives.

This satirical comedy will hook you from page one. At Wilma’s 85th birthday party you’ll laugh hysterically. You’ll worry about the safety of the characters fighting for minority representation and rights. You’ll fall in love with characters and you’ll despise others. The multiple POV style is woven with such skill. As @kirstenmillerbooks untangles the web that connects the people of this small town, she gifts all the insight, explanation, and detail.

This book represents what books are meant to do- how stories bring us together, allow us to share in each other’s existence, learn, grow, be challenged, find ourselves, and even find one another.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@netgalley and @williammorrowbooks thank you so much for the gift of this #advancedreaderscopy - pub date is 6/18/24 and can’t wait to buy my copy!

A light, overly simplified story about a small Southern town coming to terms with it's past. It's an amusing read, where everyone learns a lesson and becomes better people. If only it was so easy!

Were all the situations a little to pat? Yes. Was it a little too light for such a serious topic? Yes. Was it a bit unrealistic and predictable? Yes.
BUT, did I love it? You bet! I afraid all the wrong people will read this book, but even then it will give them more ideas of how certain books are so crucial for the right people.

I was so curious about Kirsten Miller’s new book Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, The Change I thoroughly enjoyed so I was quick to request her latest!

I didn’t even read the synopsis and just dove right in… what I quickly gathered is that each chapter is a short vignette of a resident in a small southern town… lots to keep up with but I was really impressed by the flow of the whole book… if I had no responsibility I would have read this in a day!

If you love books… are a supporter of sharing knowledge and experiences through literature, love a book with depth and topics that are hard to achieve with humor and hope. This is the book for you!

Thank you William Morrow
Releases 6/18

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