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.

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.