I loved this book, ploughed through it in two sittings!
Powerful story lines and highlighted lots of the issues we are facing today.

I loved reading this book, it had moments of empowerment that show how we should work and help together as a community, such an important message.

This was a really nice, quirky book but deals with a number of difficult issues in such a readable manner.

Thoroughly enjoyable and would recommend to all

I enjoyed "The Change" by Kirsten Miller so I was happy to read her latest offering, "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books". It demonstrates the power books and reading have over a community - whether by banning books deemed not suitable for certain people's eyes or providing a list of books suggested to improve ones outlook. What happens when a carefully curated list of books is put together and someone swaps them for banned books? Life changing events! A light-hearted look at deeper issues within our culture current and past.

Monsters are often just ordinary people.

In Troy, Georgia, Lula is known as the town crank while Beverley Underwood is seen as the pillar of the community. One thing is for sure, Lula likes attention and has decided the children of Troy are in terrible danger from a list of books that have no place in a “God-fearing” town. As a consequence of her campaign, books are taken off library shelves until a final decision can be reached, and as a further challenge, Lula has created her own ‘worthy’ lending library outside her home. However, what she doesn’t know is that Beverley‘s daughter, Lindsay has swapped the wholesome novels, replacing them with banned books, hidden behind covers such as The Southern Belles Guide to Etiquette. I’d love to read that – not. This deception, which comes from a good place, is just the start of change and a voyage of self discovery in Troy. Things are about to get REALLY stirred up if not all hell breaking loose. It’s a tale of unintended consequences and is done in a highly entertaining way.

This is a clever novel which I enjoy very much as via the polar opposites of Lula and Beverley, the author has created a thought
provoking tale. It partly exposes hypocrisy, and definitely misogyny, racism, antisemitism and affiliations to the Alt-right and is part caricature and carries an excellent message. It’s safe to say the author doesn’t hold back which will inevitably means it will divide the crowd! It is far-fetched though creates scenarios that aren’t beyond the realms of possibility and it is certainly an ambitious novel.

Via the books, Kirsten Miller shines a spotlight on a small southern town, and its different inhabitants and the divergent views and lives. This inevitably means there’s a large cast of characters and some stories chime more than others, especially those which show examples of bravery. Some stories are funny and make me laugh out loud and some of the exact opposite of that giving chills and sending shivers down the spine. I cheer when some of these characters get their just desserts or see the light via the banned books. If only. Lula is clearly a fool but she knows how to work a crowd which leads to some dramatic scenes. Throughout the storytelling is lively, it’s a never dull moment read, you laugh, you cry and you’ll probably rage at times as it sets out to challenge.

Overall, this is a relevant book, which makes powerful points about knowledge and understanding versus ignorance and it delivers a good message, especially at the end. I strongly suspect that it will be banned somewhere, probably somewhere Southern! I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to read it.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books
I need Kirsten Miller to write faster. I loved The Change, and her latest offering is my favourite read of 2024 so far.
It publishes in June and you need to preorder your copy now.
It’s set in a small Georgia town. The story is told from different residents’ perspectives as they each discover a book in Lula’s library that isn’t quite what they’re expecting. The impact each book has on their lives and those of their fellow citizens is life-changing in all the best ways. One reader is a young boy called Beau. His conversations with his elder brother about women will have you roaring with laughter.
There are some beautiful moments in this story and the final chapters are emotional and uplifting. The only reason I didn’t read this in one sitting is sleep, and having to be sociable this weekend!
This is a brilliant, brilliant, feel-good read with a very serious underlying message about the danger to individuals and society when others try to control or restrict access to books, whether their intentions are honourable or otherwise.
If you love books, believe everyone should have access to reading and enjoy a wonderful story that’s perfectly written, you really need to pick this one up.
Huge thank you to HQ and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC. Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books publishes in the UK on 20 June 2024.

A novel set in a small Southern US town, it weaves a tale of banned books and militant conservatism. I enjoyed the writing style, the narrative pace and the characters. The resonance of the power of books to educate and communicate flowed through the book and delivered a strong message. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Raced through this book in one day, loved the writing style and the way the residents of Troy’s stories wove together.

Sone really funny parts, some sad and quite controversial considering the book banning that’s going on in the US.

Definitely worth a read

I really like the sound of this book, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The book began well with the story behind Lula Dean and her chosen books. I liked the first couple of stories, and enjoyed meeting the different characters. The chapters alternated with the different characters stories and the books that they took from Lula's library. The stories were interesting but weren't very happy reads. I did though struggled with the book as a whole and lost interest half way through. It does seem that I'm in the minority of not enjoying this book, but it just wasn't for me.

An interesting read that covered different topics, many being highly relevant to today's Western society. How we approach censorship, racism, and difficult histories are discussed in an intriguing and insightful way. The author tries to show different points of view through different characters. I especially liked the focus on reading to helping a person develop their own beliefs and opinions.

Many thanks to netgalley, the author snd Harper Collins for approving my request to read this book.

I absolutely loved this story, it was funny as well as being very emotive in places, it made me laugh and cry. Wonderfully written this story had everything I love in a book, I loved every last page!

I'll most definitely be recommending to others.

A very pleasing book about the power of books and stories, and the importance of knowledge of community.

This was a really entertaining mischievous read.

Lula Dean started a campaign in her southern town to ban any controversial books from her town and school libraries. She sets up her own mini library of books which she deems appropriate. Unknown to her, her choices are switched and the books begin to have an impact on the readers changing the city and its inhabitants.

They challenge people’s beliefs and perspectives and give them new role models to follow.

This book challenges racism, antisemitism and the rise of the alt-right movement but done in a gentle way which makes you think while smiling!

An entertaining read.