I absolutely loved The Change so I was really looking forward to reading this new book from Kirsten Miller.

Probably one of the most inspiring and relevant books I've read in recent times. Book lovers will know the power of words, and whilst we may not agree with everything we read, we will fight passionately for the freedom to allow people to choose what they read. Banning books seems so archaic, and narrow minded, yet we're seeing it happen in real time in many states of the US.

This book makes its point so well, while at the same time being just a brilliant story. Full of characters who find the right book at the right time, books that change their lives for the better.

What begins as a prank, is to change the town of Troy forever and will bring to the surface long held resentments and will challenge deep seated beliefs. Writing about issues of race and gender, sexuality and loneliness, Miller executes this without a hint of preachiness. I truly believe this book should be in all school libraries and I hope it makes people who might have bought into the hysteria think more objectively.

I really enjoyed this book about the American south and how closed minds and lack of education leads to prejudices and even violence. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was engaging and even thought provoking. Definitely recommend.

With the concerning rise in book banning, sometimes advocated by those that no no better, but often based on willfil ignorance, this is a very timely book indeed and the times we are living in has given Kirsten Miller the perfect tinder to set this story ablaze.

Told in many voices, with many different perspectives, the book provided an interesting way to follow each view, learning each characters feelings facing the issue in their small town.

The fact that Lula Dean wasn't the hero of the story (and not quite the villain either) was a great take for a main character. The story shows how book banning and censorship helps no one and only adds fuel to the fire of those that would keep others in the dark to retain their own upper hand.

Wow I loved it, it brought out every emotion possible, I cried, I laughed, I despaired! This is a lovely book one of which I shall be telling my friends about. I loved every minute of it and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it ❤️

This delightfully titled seemingly wholesome read takes a sharp sticky and jabs the pointy end at prejudice, sexism, racism and generally small minded folk - which the character of Lula Dean embodies in spades.

Somewhat bafflingly, Lula decides certain books are just not right for the residents of a small town called Troy, in Southern USA, deeming books like Anne Frank as 'pornographic' books and 'propaganda' and getting them banned.

Instead, she sets up her own little library filled with what she thinks are more appropriate reads - and this is where the fun begins as the actual books are swapped.

I enjoyed the style of the chapters with each persons backstory and then leading onto the book they take from the library. I had to suppress a laugh when one lad started reading a book which began with 'Are you there god, it's me, Margaret'...

There are some delightful little character driven segments, the cheerleaders for example, some of which are heartwarming and some which are sadly reflectively of some of the less educated elements of society. I started to think this had gone too far in some respects and then I remembered that Roe v Wade has been overturned and had to remind myself that these views unfortunately do exist.

Overall this thought provoking and intelligent celebration of literature and mocking of archaic views is a great read. My thanks to the author, NetGalley and HQ Stories for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A rather wonderfully satirical book for our increasingly censored times. It centres on those brave enough to stand up against the banning of books, which is not uncommon in 21st century United States. Kirsten Miller’s comedy is set in Troy, a small Georgia town where the local busybody Lula Dean is determined to ban any books she feels are unfit for children, ie “pornography and Communist propaganda”, including "The Diary of Anne Frank" and anything to do with queer storylines. When someone accuses her of not having read the books she’s intent on blacklisting, Lula Dean decides to set up her own wholesome lending library (titles include "The Southern Belle’s Guide to Etiquette") in her front garden – with consequences.

Packed with colourful characters in the local community, this is a funny and charming celebration of literature and reading as eyes are opened and lives are transformed!

A brilliant book! I loved Kirsten Miller's The Change, and this book is just as accomplished. There are so many characters in this book and every single one of them is completely true to life, textured and interesting. This seems to be quite an impressive achievement.

The novel is set in the small town of Troy, in the South of the US, where quite a few residents hold the kind of opinions stereotypically associated with the South - prejudiced, small-minded and right wing. However, this by no means describes everyone. And when one resident, Lula Dean, decides to wage war on 'pornographic' books and 'propaganda' in the town's library, it starts to become apparent just how many people don't share her views.

Lula sets up her own library in her front yard, filled with ridiculous titles that she has deemed to be 'wholesome'. When Lindsay, a gay student who would no doubt come under Lula's fire, decides to switch the books the fun begins.

The book launches into the story without preamble, beginning with someone who turns out to be a fairly minor character. It's a good way into the story. Through the battle with Lula and her followers we discover more about her past in the area, and her run-ins with other characters.

The writing is at times hilarious and ridiculous, right wing ideas really come in for a battering. I especially liked the send up of transphobic views, with Lula bemoaning the fact that people should be able to decide who they are for themselves and have freedom in their lives. 'Without the Lord of the Flies, kids wouldn't be getting kidnapped or groomed or given double mastectomies.'

There are lots of touching elements to the book, with characters growing in confidence as they come to realise that more people in the town agree with their progressive ideas than they might have thought. There are many great characters. The black postman, Delvin, has become something of a hermit because he has seen the hate that too many people harbour. He is transformed when he realises he has more allies than he thought.

Ken and Kari, a couple who are taken in by fake news, are brilliantly drawn, and I love how Miller shows that they aren't in fact reactionary, just ordinary people who have been taken in a little by the media. Crystal discovers her husband Russell is having an affair and, rather than this mark the end of her life, she embraces the spur to transform things and instead decides to remember the best of her marriage, while accepting that their relationship has reached its natural end.

Lawyer Wilma is brilliant as is Beverly, head of the school board. Both take on Lula and also give confidence and encouragement to younger people to stand up for themselves too.

There are many more characters I could mention but this review would go on way too long. Suffice to say this is a brilliant novel with a great message that leaves the reader with hope for the future.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

Well.. I couldn’t put this down. The author has an incredible way of talking about a serious topic in a very funny way. This created a light, emotional, funny and thought-provoking plot, peppered the whole way through this book. Whilst there are main characters who appear throughout, each chapter seems to be focused on a different person or family dynamic that is directly impacted by the book banning, or simply discrimination in a small southern American town. Censorship, unfortunately, is something that is a real concept in the world we’re living in - it’s always been there, but I’d like to think that those people are the minority. Books, whether fiction or non-fiction allow us to learn, see a different point of view, feel empathy, and allow us to be confronted with our history which we must learn from - good or bad. I loved this book, it was powerful and a must-read.

I loved this so so much! A powerful and timely novel about the power of books and community, I cannot recommend it enough to everyone I know! I cried with joy on multiple occasions, a book for the soul.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It's a must-read, especially in today's world. I love all of the different issues this book seamlessly tackled.

My review for this book is overdue due to issues I had with the ARC, like many reviewers the text in the proof copy was unreadable. However, I was really curious about the story, so I waited and borrowed a copy from my local library. Considering the plot of the book, this seemed fitting, and I’m really glad I did.

The town of Troy has been contaminated however not with the liberal agenda but with the dogma of the past. This unwavering dedication to the traditions of time that was only ever grand for part of society is something that is replicated time & time again in the world around us. The insidious banning of books in this novel sadly reflects the incidents that we consistently see from communities that follow the dog whistles. Miller has perfectly captured the various forms of the manipulation that is sadly part of a slice of life in today’s society.

This is an impressive book which contains so much power within its pages. The people that really need to hear this message probably won’t as it’s captured within the pages of a book that in essence challenges the right wing massive to be better people.

Like in the novel, the fight continues.

In the small town of Troy, Georgia, where tradition and scandal often intertwine, Beverly Underwood and Lula Dean are locked in a fierce rivalry. Beverly, a member of the local school board, is committed to the town’s educational progress, while Lula has made a name for herself by crusading against what she deems inappropriate literature. Her mission to cleanse the public libraries of “unsuitable” books has become a town spectacle.

In retaliation, Beverly’s daughter, Lindsay, embarks on a covert operation. Under the cover of the night, she sneaks banned books into Lula’s newly established little free library, cleverly disguised with innocuous dust jackets. Among these literary subversions are classics and controversial works, their true content masked by covers promising genteel Southern propriety. The transformation of Lula’s library into a clandestine hub of forbidden knowledge sets off a chain reaction, altering the lives of many unsuspecting townspeople.

As the townsfolk—ranging from the local postman and the prom queen to a farmer and the former DA—read these subversive books, their perspectives and lives begin to shift in profound and unexpected ways. The hidden library becomes a catalyst for change, illuminating the power of literature to challenge, enlighten, and transform.

With the local election for mayor approaching, Beverly and Lula face off in a battle that promises to shape the future of their town. As the revelations about the library's contents come to light, the community is forced to confront their own beliefs and biases. The town's fabric, previously held together by tradition and conformity, begins to unravel as secrets and revelations come to the fore.

The Library of Rebellion delivers a compelling commentary on the clash between knowledge and ignorance. It highlights how literature can challenge societal norms and provoke change, often in the most unexpected ways. This novel's thought-provoking narrative and engaging characters make it a poignant reflection on the enduring struggle between progress and tradition.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Being familiar with Troy, Alabama (a university town), I was intrigued to be offered an ARC of this unusual novel, set in the fictional Troy, Georgia. Like a university, this novel is equally concerned with educational learning, or perhaps the interference of it: the subject-matter concerns the banning of books that the pillars of the closeknit Southern Society do not consider worthy of readership. Pitted against each other are the fearsome empty-nester Lula, who is on a book-banning mission to make her hometown more ‘wholesome’, and her rival since school days, Beverley, who is determined to sabotage those efforts in ingenious ways with the help of her effervescent daughter Lindsay. As other reviewers before me have written, this book is the rarely successful literary tightrope act of humorous writing style underpinned with serious messages – in this case xenophobia, ultraconservatism, and misogyny. An unusual read from a writer to watch out for! My thanks go to NetGalley and HQ for the much-appreciated ARC supplied in exchange for this unbiased book review.

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is perfect for our times and imho, sweet, funny, reflective, wholesome and thoughtful

Lula Dean sets up a free library of wholesome books in a small southern town when the books begin to be replaced by "banned" books. Battles on social media, confrontation and conversation in the streets and ultimately a compromise of why all books should be available to read

Timely, poignant, perfect

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author Kirsten Miller for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

READ THIS BOOK! 🤩

Hands down one of the best books of 2024, it was funny, serious, heartbreaking, anger-inducing, heartwarming and everything in between.

Lula Dean’s making a mark for herself as she leads a book banning committee. Her ‘wholesome’ little free library falls victim to a prank though, as those wholesome book covers hide banned books that cause waves across the little town of Troy in Georgia.

It’s told in short chapters, focusing on different residents’ stories, and honestly what a book that sends some incredibly important messages.

Read this book!

Thank you to the author, publisher & Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

An unusual book but, one, that I really enjoyed. A clever series of interlocking stories about people and their lives and all coming together. Brilliant. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

"Aside from the fact that people should be free to read whatever they like, can't you see how fucking stupid this shit makes us look?"

Whenever I see an article of Instagram post about a book being banned it always saddens me. One of the main reasons I love to read is because it expands my view of the world and gives me new perspectives on topics I might not have previously considered. Some of my all time favourite books have been on a list of banned books, many remain on them. This is why I was so excited when I saw the blurb for Lula Dean's Library of Banned Books, and it lived up to every one of my expectations.

Lula Dean's Library of Banned Books is a love letter to books and reading, but it also repeatedly makes the point that whilst books explore ideas they don't make people do things. A book cannot make someone gay, for example. A book doesn't turn someone into a killer either, prejudice and hate have much more of an influence on whether someone turns to murder than a book ever could.

The book begins with two people taking books out of Lula Dean's little free library and swapping them for banned books. Lula Dean is a bitter and loney woman who starts her little free library after someone discovers a pornography book hidden among the bakery books in a local library. Lula takes to facebook and all hell breaks lose.

"What should we do with this filth? Lula asked her followers. Beverly scrolled down through the replies. The most common response appeared to be: Burn it!!!"

Lula Dean's Library of Banned Books follows the lives of a group of people who take a book out of Lula's library and instead of the book they expected they find one of the banned books in the cover of an approved title. The book then goes on to outline the positive impact these banned books have on their lives.

We soon learn that when Lula and her Concerned Parents Comittee pulled books of the shelves in the local and school libraries they were acting based on a list of banned books they found on the internet rather than of their own volition. Likewise, the books Lula replaced them with just happened to be the books she found cheapest in a thrift store. Netherless, the actions of Lula prove divisive in the small town of Troy, Georgia and tensions buid until the explosive conclusion.

The Little Library of Banned Books outlines the sheer absurbity of the reasons used to justify banning books. There is anger in there but also a lot of humour to balance it out.

"Recognize this?" Lula called out. "Y'all know who the Lord of the Flies is, don't you? You think it's a coincidence the book's named after the devil? He's been right here in Troy, and he's opened the door to a whole slew of demons. Anarchists and pedophiles and socialised health care. He's the reason your children complain about going to church. He's why your doors have to be locked when you leave the house. Without the Lord of the Flies, kids wouldn't be kidnapped or groomed or given double masectomies."



I think my favourite character was Wilma Jean Cummings, an elderly lady who is so fed up of her family scheming to get their inheritance that she has decided to just stop speaking...until she encounters one of the library books...

"It was round the age of her 80th birthday that WIlma Jean Cummings noticed a change. She was still the same, of course. It was everybody else in the family who'd lost their damn mind. They leaned in so close when they spoke to her that she could read their breath like a Chick-Fil-A menu. Then their voices would go soft and sweet as marshmallow fluff, and they'd avoid words with more than one syllable."

The small town of Troy is filled with secrets and the little library is about to blow them all up. Lula Dean's Library of Banned Books is a love letter to the joy of reading and has a host of characters that leave you wanting more. It is also absolutely hilarious. A definite hit!

An absolute gem of a book that I am already pressing into customers’ hands. Fast-paced and genuinely funny, this is a powerful, feminist read that celebrates the power of education and the coming together of community. An engaging read that taught me a lot about American history and the lessons we should all be learning from the past so we don’t repeat them now.

I can honestly say, that this is one of the best books I've ever read!! Wow! It really hit the emotions and I think everyone should read it! Powerful.

Thank you so much to netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a fabulous book this one is, I saw this and the synopsis and thought this looked good. While it has some humour, there is also a very serious message behind it.

The thought of having books banned is abhorrent to me, but in today's world, someone will always be offended by a book. Books challenge our opinions and they educate us, but what if a small group decided to ban books based on their own opinions? What if those opinions are more extreme than you realise?

This book started as a fun read, the thought of having a prim and proper selection of books outside someone's house to be exchanged for books that are completely different. The author uses a small southern US town that has a long history and has different backgrounds depending on who you are and what family you come from.

With each of the books that are borrowed from the "accepted" books in the little library, we are introduced to the character that borrows said book. This gradually builds up several characters and their stories intertwine and give the story the serious side to it. The characters have a range of backgrounds, abilities and beliefs. These beliefs can be challenging to others and there are mentions of racism, homophobia, woke society, far-right and many others. It is a crosshatch of stereotypes that may be found in communities anywhere in the world. The author does take this one further than would possibly happen, but then as the saying goes "You never know what goes on behind closed doors!"

I think this is where the crux of the story and people's beliefs come into their own. Living in an idea that one person believes is right, does not mean it is right for everyone. Having access to all the facts and not questioning what you read can lead to a selective idea of the world around us. This is where books come in, whether fact or fiction, they give readers alternative ideas, that is if you have access to them.

The author does mention at the end of her book how she came to write this book and the things she discovered along the way. It gives an eye-opening moment of reflection and it is well worth spending the extra time reading it.

This is a fabulous book that I soon became engrossed in, it is one of those books that was an unexpected one as the synopsis felt different to the actual story. Ideal for those who like contemporary fiction and one I would definitely recommend.

What an incredible Book it's inspiring , uplifting had me splitting my sides with laughter, crying, getting really angry at some of the characters whom I wanted to slap & others have put in uncomfortable situations until they changed their ways or else be locked up for committing so many wrongs against humanity in the 21st century & this is actually happening across the US & other Countries too. But enough of that, this book is beautifully written & I am recommending this book to lots of friends & it's a book I'm even going to get my almost 16 year old granddaughter to read too. #NetGally, #GoodReads, #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk , #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

What an amazing read! I thoroughly enjoyed the story about the people living in Troy. It highlights the perception we have of people around the world and their behaviours of racism and homophonia. This book also highlights the past history of slavery and the treatment of people by men in power. Also very relevant in our current times is the book banning taking place in states across the USA.

The formidable and strong women in this book especially Wilma Crump and Beverly Underwood will make feminists out there want to be like them. Lindsay and Bella show that their role models are their mother and grandmother who have taught them to be strong and stand up to the bullies.

There's laughter, joy and sadness but mostly the coming together of a community in this wonderful book. I also loved each chapter title and at times had to try and remember all the characters as there were many. I loved Dr Chokshi and his words of wisdom to Mitch Sweeney.

It was lovely to have a beautiful ending to the story.

I love this book which looks into small town America where the Lulu Dean of the title has been instrumental in causing lots of books to be withdrawn from public libraries and banned. She sets up her own tiny library outside our house and fills it with what she feels to be appropriate books for the population mischief and merriment occurs and these books are taken out of their book jackets and replaced by the very books that she’d banned.
I love the way that you met the population of the town gradually as the story unfolds and learned how they have been affected by the book banning . Person who needed the books to find representation of themselves within the community, the person who was raped and needed the books to find their voice.
I love the way the actual books were “quoted in the novel and as a reader I was surprised how few of them I had actually read. There were definitely a few that I had to be read list after reading this novel.

I wanted to love the authors previous book The Change but although I loved the premise I didn’t enjoy the book .I was willing to give this one a go however when I saw it on NetGalley UK and I’m so glad that I did

I would recommend this novel for those that are primarily based. The character development is precise and developed in a subtle nuanced way. The people all feel very real and you feel like you know them by the end of the novel. I suspect that this novel will be very popular this summer. I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes it onto the best sellers lists
I copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published on the 20th of June 2024 by HQ
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.WordPress.com. It will also appear on Amazon UK.

If you fear for our freedom to say and think as we wish Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books has got to be top of your reading list this summer.
In a town in America, a provocative baking book placed in the local library as a joke gives Lula Dean enough ammunition to persuade a group of citizens to “cleanse” the library of unsuitable books.
Soon, many of the residents begin to fight back, helped by a clever act by one of the younger people who manages to get the banned books into the hands of exactly the people who need them. As the books work their magic the town is changed forever and long buried secrets emerge.
I loved this book - the first few chapters read as interlinked short stories as we get to know the key characters but as events move on it becomes more of a whole. There are some unforgettable people -in particular the 80 year old lawyer Wilma Jean who is fighting her family’s attempts to put her in a home and proving that age is no impediment if your brain is still agile. It’s very funny and an absolute page turner but carries a serious message, ignore it at your peril.

This book was so hard hitting at the same time as being a really enjoyable read. It had such a strong message against all kinds of hate and prejudice. It had characters from many different walks of life featured, but without the reader having to stress out about who is who. It was a really powerful book.

I loved how the different narratives weaved into each other. At the start of the book it almost seemed like a series of interconnected short stories, but as the book progressed the events of the chapters started to overlap and bring it all together. It was a really effective way of showing how all the banned books that people got from Lula Dean’s library were affecting the whole town and bringing them all together to fight against Lula Dean herself.

It was a really easy to read book, that grabbed me from the first chapter. There were parts which were told from the point of view of some not so nice people or in some cases people with views who were changed over the course of the book, but having these people challenged by others or changed by the books they read made me happy, because it really showed the power of books and words.

Don’t be put off by the hard topics covered in this book. It is a book of power, a book of joy and a book of rebellion.

I absolutely loved The Change by Kirsten Miller, it’s a clever and powerful book that ignites all your emotions. I was curious to see if this book would hit me with the same ferocity - spoiler alert it did!

From the first page it is a tour de force. It cracks open the prejudices, the histories and the rivalries that exist within a small town. It shows the importance of using history to educate and improve and it warns of the dangers of miseducation and manipulating history to follow a personal agenda.

Whilst it tackles some heavy themes, it does so with humour and whip smart comments, which were so satisfying they made me green with envy that I didn’t write them!

For someone who spends a lot of their time championing books and celebrating the benefits of reading; the banning of books is a truly frightening thought. Kirsten Miller argues our cause in this novel. Through her cast of characters we see how books and reading educates, inspires, enlightens, comforts and above all entertains and brings joy.

One of my favourite reads this year, it’s a must read for all book lovers but not for those who are easily offended by phallic shaped baked goods!

“He said dress codes are necessary because if girls are allowed to wear what we want, the boys won’t be able to focus. I said why not let the girls dress comfortably and send the boys home until they can show self-control.”

Troy, Georgia. Lula Dean has a chip on her shoulder from way back..something to do with Beverley. Lula is on a mission to eliminate the corruptive power of reading, has stripped the school library of inappropriate books and set her up own little library with ‘safe’ fiction. Dawn’s husband has a basement full of memorabilia which she gets to dust once a week. Isaac has told his family he’s gay..and Wilma Jean knows her family are after her money and want to put her in a home…

I introduced my review of The Change with the following sentence, ‘This is one of the most delicious, original and absolute badass books you will read this year…’ I don’t think I can improve on that as an introduction to Lula Dean. Kirsten Miller has done it again with another fabulous and piercingly insightful novel in which she takes on ‘book banning, white nationalism, anti-semitism..’

This is a book about stories, about narratives - the kind of narratives that people tell about their lives, about history and which obscure and rebrand the truth. In the course of the novel the residents of Troy read Lula’s books and in so many ways Troy’s residents discover what’s really behind the covers.

This is a book which grabs you on page one and never lets go. In some ways it reminded me of Desperate Housewives with the petty jealousies, secrets, domestic struggles and lies with a blend of drama and comedy. But this goes far deeper, stripping out deeply rooted prejudices and age-old histories. And, of course because it is America, there is always a gun somewhere…

The author has a wicked and wonderful sense of humour which had me howling, whilst the issues she addressed left me saddened and frustrated. Her characterisation is superb and never over-shone by the issues.

“As far as he was concerned, if your faith was shaken by foul words or sex scenes, then you must not have had very much to begin with."

For book lovers and haters book bans everywhere!

Huge thanks to HQ Stories and Netgalley for my digital copy of this wonderful book.

This year I've been pretty lucky with the amount of books I've been getting in advance, and this book is no exception and probably one of my favourite books of the year if I am quite honest.

Set in Georgia, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books takes us on a ride with one of the most on the pulse 'culture war' topics that is currently going strong right now, the banning of book and uses it to expose the hypocrisy and the prejudices of the community this book is set in. Brilliantly witty and fantastically paced this book is exceptional.

The characters of Lula and Beverley really are so different and so brilliantly written, that it is almost cinematic as these scenes jump off the page (I would love to see this as a show, I think the drama would be brilliant) particularly between these two, however as this book focuses on a small town the array of characters allows for more perspective which I found so interesting and so enjoyable - to see the growth of these characters via the power of books is such a pleasure to read.

One of those books I'm probably gonna make everyone around me read, this book was one of my most anticipated reading the blurb, and I need to own it physically for my own library collection - and I want everyone to find it!

(thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC).

A novel that deals with a serious topic like censoring books but it's also the heartwarming and very funny story of people and of a small town.
Well plotted, excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

What a pleasure to review this wonderful book. It was inspirational and so well connected with lots of hidden meanings to life. How we can turn a blind eye or make assumptions about things we don’t know or understand. To be opinionated, extremist, racist and homophobic and how this affects small communities and interpersonal relationships. All so
Powerful through the medium of books! Books that are read; educate us, are relatable, part of life experience and create a ripple effect. Makes you realise how important books are to inform us and to relate too.
I loved this book and the author. Her style of writing made the book so easy to read!

Having read Miller’s debut novel earlier this year, I was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest release. I was bit uncertain to start with: enjoying a first book so much, I was anxious that the next read would be just as good. And I was definitely not disappointed.

This is a clever novel that made me laugh, shudder and everything in between. Exploring racism, censorship, LGBTQ, slavery and more, this story shows how books can change your life. The idea of books being banned is not uncommon, even in today’s more liberal society and in this read, Miller explores how much of an impact the written word can have.

Lula Dean is part of a committee that has successfully removed books that are considered as harmful to the young children of Troy, Georgia. She sets up a little library at the bottom of her driveway, containing all the books that she considers as wholesome reads for the community. Except a prank that sees the books replaced by some banned ones has an impact on the people of Troy forever. As these banned books move back into circulation, lives change, secrets are exposed and families are not the same ever again. All thanks to the power of the written word.

This was a fast-moving and engaging story. I was entertained throughout the story and even with the deeper, more sensitive topics, I still felt that Miller presented them in a way that made the plot just as interesting – to the point that I couldn’t put the book down and I raced through it. I liked how the chapter titles were names of these banned books and the content matter became relevant to the theme of the story. I could not foresee how the book would conclude and loved how Miller kept giving surprises all through the narrative.

However, there are a lot of characters in this book to be reckoned with. After all, this book deals with the entire town of Troy, even if it is considered to be quite small. You do need to concentrate with this one as, after a few chapters, the characters start to blend across one another. In this way, I think it would have been helpful to have a character list at the start of the book – I ended up making my own character notes so I didn’t get too confused. This certainly helped and I think I would have enjoyed the book less if I became confused by all the people.

Miller explores really interesting and relevant topics and I enjoyed how the story concluded. The characters all learn something about themselves and I loved seeing how Troy had completely evolved by the end. Not only does the novel present the power of the written word, but also ignorance versus knowledge. Censorship has lead to control and this book shows that having little exposure to information can be more dangerous than knowing nothing at all.

This is a story that will stay with me for a while. There are so many layers to this story that made it more enjoyable and thought-provoking. Another great book from Miller.

With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book.... it reminded me of the petty attitudes of some people, and their intent on everyone following the same rules!

Quite funny in places.... the penis cake I don't think I will ever forget!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the excellent book. A 4.5 star read for me.

Warning: if you are racist, homophobic, misogynistic, antisemitic, sexist or an otherwise alt-right leaning bigoted idiot then this book isn't for you!

This book tackles incredibly difficult and important themes but managed to do so with humour and hope.

A great read that I enjoyed from the first sentence to the very end. Yes, it's cutesy and twee but that just adds to its charm. A really thought provoking insight into the American South and the rise in book banning, particularly the damage limiting people's access to various sources of information can have.

Great writing, great character development and a fun read on some heavy topics - I highly recommend it!

This was nothing like I was expecting it to be at all! I can’t say too much about it without giving it away, but this book deals with a lot of sensitive topics such as race, sexuality, sexism etc in such a beautiful, clever and engaging way that I couldn’t put it down! There are so many wonderful characters between the pages, as well as some that are less than desirable! Another brilliant read by this author!

Gloriously and unashamedly inflammatory, uplifting and full of a love of books.

It's hard for me as a lifelong UK resident to understand the mindsets one sees in books such as this. I know often there's tropes, stereotypes, exaggeration, but I also see enough of international news and interviews to know that the types of characters represented here are far from fictional.

And this book made me mad. Mostly because I am a fervent and passionate reader, former librarian and big believer in the power of reading to inspire change, educate and as a source of comfort and community. And I think Kirsten Miller agrees with me, from what I read here.

In a small Georgia town (the literary subtlety here was not lost on me), a war is going on, though on the surface all is peach pies and happy families. Lula Dean, long-time thorn in school board member Beverly Underwood's side, has mounted a crusade to ban books from the school and public libraries that she feels are damaging the town's youth and morals. Replacing it with her own homemade lending library, full of 'The Southern Belle's Guide to Etiquette'-type titles will of course send the townsfolk down the correct path to righteousness.... of course.

But Beverley's daughter, with access to all the stored banned books starts a rollercoaster of change off when she replaces each book with one of those banned, recovering them, and the Troy residents, each of whom with their own personal problems and questions, start to discover understanding, answers and the courage to change their lives in what they are reading.

That’s when all the townspeople who’ve been borrowing from Lula’s library begin to reveal themselves. It’s a diverse and surprising bunch—including the local postman, the prom queen, housewives, a farmer, and the former DA—all of whom have been changed by what they’ve read. When Lindsay is forced to own up to what she’s done, the showdown that’s been brewing between Beverly and Lula will roil the whole town...and change it forever.

I loved this. I loved the array of characters: those needing answers about girls, long-downtrodden wives realising what they've been prevented from achieving, young people with fears of homosexuality, an older lady giving up on fighting her money-grabbing relatives... all can find motivation from the written word. There are more than a dozen storylines each threaded together by Lula Dean's library, and I didn't find this a problem on the audiobook to track.

And how it all comes together... oh, it was marvellous! I desperately want to see this on the screen. Some wonderful roles here, a fair bit of sermonising, some very funny scenes (the cake scene was a standout) and I'm just so glad books like this actually exist. We need them, to remind us what education, knowledge and the freedom to think for ourselves does for ourselves and for everyone collectively. Thank you Ms Miller.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

This book tackles a very prescient and troubling discussion - the banning of books - with a sharp wit and a kindness. Has a very light touch for what is quite a dark comedy, and the interthreading of stories meant that even most of the 'villains' were three-dimensional characters with some sympathetic features [except the ones who REALLY didn't deserve it].

A satire with a gentle bite and a cosy ending.

This is a lighthearted and. very readable look at prejudice in small town America. But really it's a cautionary tale that it could happen anywhere. The small minded folks all get what's coming to them in the end, but it does leave the reader thinking that this could so easily happen anywhere and how important it is to take a stand again prejudice and bigotry.

This book is brilliant. I could start and end my review with the words - stop reading reviews and read the book already. But I really should explain why...
So... the action takes place in a small Southern town and revolves around banned books. Lula Dean is on a mission to rid the world of anything she finds offensive and, to that end, has a very long list of books that she wants banned from the library and school. To replace them, she has installed in her front yard, a library of good and wholesome alternatives for all to borrow.
Lula is the nemesis to another of our main characters, Beverly Underwood and, as the book progresses, we delve into the past to see what happened to make the two lifelong enemies.
And then there's Lindsay, Beverly's daughter who is the instigator for what will happen in the rest of the book. She secretly replaces the good and wholesome books in Lula's library with the banned ones. Swapping out the dust jackets to cloak them.
We then sit back and watch the action as, one-by-one, the townsfolk start to borrow the books. Each one seems to borrow just the right book... but I am going to leave you to discover the whys and wherefores of all that as the author intended.
I loved this book. I can't wait until it is actually released as I will be getting the audiobook and revisiting it all. It's quite a deep book as certain of the characters are going through some pretty heavy stuff in their lives. And this, in turn, reinforces the power of books. Both fiction and factual, and their place in assisting people to understand things they struggle with. I'm being deliberately opaque as I do not want to give any examples which might spoil things.
Aside from the books, the story of Beverly and Lula is also interesting and kept my attention nicely along with all the other townsfolk's stories. I ran the whole gamut of emotions as I was reading it, even laughing out loud on the bus and getting some strange looks.
Along with this book, I would also recommend this author's other adult fiction book, The Change, which I read a few years ago.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

If there’s ever a book that takes you by surprize then this is it.
I couldn’t put it down. An absolute must this summer.

Through a series of vignettes we are introduced to the community of Troy, which at its helm are two strong women with a grudge to bare going right back to their cheerleading days. Lula Dean the local busybody has made it her mission to introduce the town to a library catering for books she deems appropriate. In short anything (that doesn’t corrupt the young mind). Her right wing beliefs and attitudes however are dangerous as they go unchecked by the town.

Her rival Beverley Underwood is her nemesis especially when she confronts the small southern town and its history by introducing issues surrounding the slave trade and the fight against the North to keep it going. Other characters are used to highlight subjects like homophobia, misogyny and neo-Nazism as we explore their stories. There is a brutal rape recount, which has been hidden for years that is revealed and punished to a certain extent.
For me it was the voices of the women, some who had been silenced for years were now heard.
Thank you NetGalley for this brilliant read

I really enjoyed Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books. I was immediately tickled by the mischief in the opening chapter and I knew it was going to be my kind of book straight away.

However, as I turned the pages of the book and met the residents of Troy, Georgia I came to realise just how far reaching the ripple effect is that one person can have on a whole community. I think this book is a masterpiece for its pitch perfect delivery of messages everyone needs to hear and topics everyone should read about. It really tugs at the heart of the issue - if you go about banning books that feature alternative life experiences to your own, you negatively affect education, empathy, critical thinking and freedom.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. It drew me right in and the characterisation was brilliant, because by the end of each chapter I really felt like I knew and understood them when I had only just met them a few pages before.
There are a lot of different characters in this book and initially it can be difficult to remember who is who…but keep with it, it’s totally worth it and it’s needed to show 1) How far reaching the consequences of the little library are and 2)The variety of viewpoints and life experiences in the town.

I genuinely believe this book needs to be on the curriculum, especially in America at the moment but I suspect this book too will be banned. This is of course exactly why you should be reading it!

If you have enraged by the book banning that is currently occurring across America, if you enjoy books set in small town America and if you enjoy reading about a variety of perspectives and life experiences then this is the book for you.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to #Netgalley for an #ARC of #LulaDeansLittleLibraryofBannedBooks.
I really enjoyed this book, it is one of those rare books that you wish to remove all memory of it and read it for the first time again.

This uplifting novel certainly doesn't shy away from difficult and upsetting topics and I think that's why I loved it so much.
Set in a small town in Georgia, Lula Dean takes matters into her own hands when she feels that the children are being corrupted by books in the twon library. This starts a butterfly effect through the town and each chapter shows how this touches on other people's lives.
This book will definitely get people talking, I think it would be perfect for a book club. Especially the way it is written, it almost lulls you into a false sense of security before hitting you with a few home truths.
Racism, sexism, homophobia, terrorism and indoctrination are all explored.
This will have you laughing. It will have you angry and it may even make you shed a tear. I highly recommend picking this one up.

A prank being the catalyst for change! Based in a small town in America with various prejudice, experiences and ideals of the residents. Both light hearted and exploring big topics such as racism and cancel culture.

I really liked that the chapter narration shifts between characters, each linked to a specific book. Easy to read and just the right length.

Thank you HQ for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#LulaDeansLittleLibraryofBannedBooks #NetGalley

This is a relatively lighthearted look at the evolving world around cancel culture and small town prejudices, centered around the seemingly random banning of books thought to lead the youth of the town down immoral pathways.
Each banned book finds its ways onto the hands of a resident and changes their views on life, culminating in an increase in tolerance and a greater mutual understanding o how the past does not have to dictate the future.
The only downside was the appalling layout of the book for Kindle (presumably which will be fixed!) where sentences were incomplete on most pages, some of which the missing words were randomly at the end of the next paragraph and some of which were never to be seen again!
That is not the fault of the author though and although it detracts from the readability of the book it does not affect the content or storytelling.

An empathetic look at cancel culture and book banning in the US that is a surprisingly feel good read. Through the stories of each of the residents in the southern town we learn how discovering one of the 'banned' books that has been removed from the school or public library has had an impact on their lives. This book celebrates the power of knowledge that reading can bring as well as the empathy and understanding for those that we struggle to understand. I think the book is very clever and the notion of replacing the so called acceptable books with the banned books in a little book swap box was just wonderful. The right books were then in the hands of people at just the right time that they needed them. I was left with a real sense of hope that people can overcome differences of opinion and beliefs if we just try and understand each other. This is a real delight for book and library lovers with some wonderful characters - a joy to read!

Awesome! I love the way each chapter is initially defined by a book but as it progresses the town and it's prejudices are gradually brought out. Thought provoking and emotional. Very pertinent at this time

Beverly Underwood and Lula Dean have been arch enemies ever since their high school cheerleading days. The mostly silent rivalry between them becomes public however after Lula embarks on a book-banning mission. To ‘replace’ the books she’s removed from the local schools and library, Lula has created a little library filled with titles Lula deems appropriate reading in her front yard. Not that Lula has read the books she has banned or the titles in her garden.

Beverly’s daughter Lindsay is outraged about Lula’s actions and uses the cover of night to fill Lula’s little libraries with banned books wrapped in dust jackets that belong to books Lula approves of.

Curiosity being what it is means that inhabitants of the town of Troy pick up books from the Little Library and most of them finish reading the stories even after they discover the book in their hands isn’t what they thought it was.

Actions have consequences and it isn’t long before Lula and Beverly are running against each other in the town’s Mayoral election. And that’s when the repercussions of Lula’s library and Lindsay’s counter action become visible. Because everybody who picked and read a book from the Little Library has been affected in one way or another.

At first glance this book offers an easy to read, mostly light-hearted story. It appears to be one of those Southern novels in which even the bad people end up sounding adorable. Don’t let first impressions fool you though. Once you settle into the story you will find a darker edge to many of the chapters. What really scared me is that quite a few of the right-wing ideas shared on these pages don’t sound immediately shocking or wrong. It’s almost too easy to understand how people stumble into traps laid by people like Donald Trump and how a journey down that road comes without a return ticket for most people.

Although it is very easy to read and get lost in, this book doesn’t try to make our current reality look any better than it is. In this book the silent majority are people who have no interest in banning books or excluding certain people from society. They are those who can easily live their lives under the radar and prefer it that way. In this book, as in reality, they don’t speak up until they feel their way of life and/or their sense of fairness is under threat.

While the book is overall a fun read, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that book banning and censorship are real issues, in particular in America. Only this week I came across the following tragic news: An Idaho Public Library Will Become Adults-Only per July 1, 2024. News like that makes me want to cry. There’s a part of me that feels Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is too easy to read to make a difference in real life. On the other hand, maybe an easy read with characters most people would recognise is exactly what is needed to get people to question what is going on around them. Sure, real life is never going to come with perfect solutions like the ones found in this book, but maybe this book can make imperfect solutions possible in real life. And if that isn’t a fabulous reason to promote Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, I don’t know what is.

All the stars!
I’ve never read anything like it. It’s captivating and so unique. Kirsten has taken a hard-hitting topic - the slave trade - and written a book that will make any generation understand and take note of what impact this era had on people. The characters were compelling and I just couldn’t wait to go back to reading it. Loved it.

Using her well fleshed out characters and incredible story telling skills Kirsten Miller has made this book a book that tackles so many hard subjects (homophobia, racism and sexual assault to name a few) not feel like a really heavy read. I loved the nod to banned books and how they can inspire change. Just a brilliant read from page one.

Lula's book banning really got out of hand. A booklovers worst nightmare.

Well written funny and the author not afraid to take chances with delicate topics. Think this book would have been banned if it was in schools at the time.

Tried putting this book done to do other things, but thought nah they will still be there later so continued to read. Late night it turned into, (well early morning)..
So enjoyed this book.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

Book banning has always been a deeply controversial issue and it is deftly explored in this profound and wickedly funny novel about the power of literature. This story certainly took me back to my schooldays when I would hide a novel inside a textbook during dull lessons.

The concept of an entire library of suitable texts being replaced with banned books is a genius one. Chapters hop from character to character. as each discover the 'wrong' books in the covers of the 'approved' books. This creates a ripple effect which is felt by everyone within the community.

I live in the UK and have personally not witnessed the book banning demonstrated in the novel, which I understand reflects what is happening in the USA right now. However, I think all of us who loved books when they were younger - regardless of location - have had at least one encounter with an adult who told us the book that we were reading was inappropriate, and baulked at it. The conversation that is stimulated by this novel's premise is so important, especially when it pertains to young people. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this novel to book lovers everywhere.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC!

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

I made the mistake of starting this book late at night before I went to bed. A mistake because it’s not a book I could put down. Even after I stopped reading I couldn’t stop thinking about it!

This book is so full of rage, it’s a simmering, then blistering indictment of ignorance, bullying and hypocrisy. In a small town in Georgia, a woman starts a campaign against books that contain anything she doesn’t like. She starts a little free library outside her house with what she considers to be wholesome books (that she bought from a charity shop in bulk for this purpose) and passes off as the books that made her who she is. However the daughter of the leader of the school board replaces them all with books that were banned from the library, hiding the banned books under the dust jackets.

Gradually townsfolk find themselves reading books that they didn’t expect and it starts to change their perspectives, creating unexpected perspectives and alliances against the insidious forces looking to suppress free will and rights in their town. This book is so well structured, in the early chapters we come across different characters and the books and challenges they come across. These are very different people and the diversity of opinion helps make this book feel well-rounded. These storylines all come together so well in the later part of the book as we see how the books in the library bring people together with a common cause.

I loved this book, it was compelling, well-written and utterly fascinating. I would be really surprised if this doesn’t end up in my top ten books of the year.

When I got over the faults of the text - missing ends of sentences and publisher's name, etc. in the middle of the pages, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was funny and yet tackled serious subjects which resulted from this; white supremacism, homophobia, racism, far right- wing attitudes, gun culture and misogyny, all of which were tackled in a sensitive way. I appreciated the author's note at the end which explained her point of view., To be honest, I fear for the United States because of these intolerant and fearful attitudes, encouraged by some of the churches and sanctioned by the likes of Donald Trump, (who may become President again soon - in which case, I fear for the world.) Back to the book - I was a little confused by the characters as the chapters switched between them with no warning, but the style of writing was flowing and easy. The choice of books, especially the ones which changed some of the character's attitudes was interesting. The book is amusing and sense prevails in the end.

Miller’s debut The Change was a really powerful book for me as a reader and I wasn’t quite sure how she would match it, but she absolutely has. Here she holds a mirror to America (but also to many other countries at current times tbh), looking at book banning and all the prejudices that lie behind it and are rife in our supposedly modern societies. Miller’s portrait of Troy, Georgia, is a pass-the-baton between the towns people, in what is a well-observed, funny, razor sharp and insightful portrayal of current thinking, as fuelled by the media and forces that seek to divide and pervert truth under the guise of ‘protecting our young and vulnerable’. A brilliant and important story which I loved and think will be seen later as a snapshot of personal politics at this point in history.

This book is a real pearl.
Kristen Miller has come up with a gem of a story. It deals with racist hatred and the apathy of it, anti gay behaviour, misogyny and coercive control and general narrow mindedness and yet more things in a small town called Troy in Georgia in the southern USA.

A local narrow minded busy body has pushed through a plan that results in a lot of books being banned from the local library. She set up some shelves outside her home of books that she deems appropriate. People are welcome to borrow these books. These books of course represent her idea.ised view of the way life should be in Troy. However things do not turn out the way she intended, the results of which ultimately affect many of the people in the town.
Although this book deals with many serious subjects, not just censorship, the author manages to introduce humour at several points thar really lift the story to another level.

A page turner of a read that had me chortling away, but also got my blood boiling. Under the light-hearted comedy are some big themes - racism, sexism, rape, homophobia, violence...and fear. The baddies are cartoon-like baddies, we're cheering on the goodies. Sometimes you just need a book like this that makes you laugh just as you're starting to feel rage.

Why do people ban books? How do we stop them?

This book shows the power books can have and how they can open our eyes. And the difference one person really can make in it all.

It's a little saccharine in places, but I'll forgive that as the world is so bitter at the moment and sweet was just what I needed.

As an English teacher I have always firmly believed in the power of books and reading to create positive change. In a world which can seem increasingly intolerant, I was drawn to this title by the premise of exploring book banning through the lens of a small town in Georgia.

Enter Lula Dean and her drive to ban books deemed “unsuitable”. Whilst this is an all too prevalent practice which angers me, I loved the fact that the prank of a young adult in the town to swap the “wholesome”, approved books from Lula’s little library for some of the banned books becomes the catalyst for change. One by one, local residents find a book which speaks to them, leading to a broadening of minds and a challenge to traditional viewpoints, for the better of the town.

This book tackles a current issue with care and a little humour. Everyone who believes in the power of books and having the right to choose their reading material should take a look at this one.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing a digital ARC copy for review.

Tale from the Deep South about bigotry and prejudice - with a light touch! Very good stuff.

In Troy, Georgia, there's conflict between the reactionary Confederacy lovers and more liberal, forward-looking types. Lula Dean's little Library is the focus for banned books and "suitable" alternatives. A seemingly harmless prank brings about change in every aspect of this small town as prejudices emerge and bigotry is confronted. The characters, although perhaps a bit stereotypical, are enjoyable and well-developed and the plot moves along at a pleasant pace. The book won't appeal to anyone a bit close-minded but it's a very enjoyable and enlightening read, well worth a look. Highly recommended, especially in a world where book banning still exists, even in so-called civilized communities. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this - with the banning of books and reduction in tolerance sweeping the States this is a timely warning of what can happen, but also offers reassurance that there are enough people out there who find it all too much and if they make a stand, however small, things can change.

Manages to make a social point, without lecturing or being too worthy! Great read

Dark and funny in places and also a little bit scary and worrying how much disinformation is out there and it’s not restricted to one part of the world, anyway getting back to the book which I just loved and will be in my top five favourite books for this year, how what may have been a small act of rebellion lead to a huge catalyst of change and understanding. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I’m definitely going to check out her other books.

What a refreshingly original and entertaining story, which I would class as general fiction. This is a genuinely funny book and I found myself chuckling right from the first chapter; although at times it does have dark themes (Nazi supporters, homophobia, racism, and rape, to name a few). However, on the whole it is a lighthearted and entertaining read, which is perfectly balanced. 
I love the way this book is written, with the chapters reading as lots of short stories about people who reside in the town; with the ‘wronged’ taking affirmative action, spurred on and supported by the contraband books. The individual stories are seamlessly woven together as the overall timeline of the story progresses, making reading the book a joy. Books about books (this one being about banned books) are one of my favourite themes; where books are used to emphasise/demonstrate the impact books can have on a person’s life and this one certainly makes some powerful points. Thanks to NetGallery and HQ for allowing me to get an early copy of this book, which is out on 20th June 2024; I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Highly recommended.

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

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.

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

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.