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.

Although it's not a true story there are places in the world, particularly USA, where books are regularly banned. An interesting topic and the characters were believable for the most part, although not so sure about Lula Dean's children. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

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.

I'm sorry I'm unable to leave a review at the moment. I had a really bad ARC copy where the copyright writing was running throughout the pages. I found it too distracting to concentrate on the book.

I'm leaving 3 stars for the premise and the cover and will buy a copy on publication day and update my review

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.

A really interesting book. It was not at all how I expected it to develop. Lots of great strong characters and an unlikely villain. Situations like these do exist where narrowminded people try to have books banned. Hopefully communities come together to thwart them like in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book with no obligation to review.

I was disappointed in this book. It seemed to me to be a bit scrappy and unfinished/unpolished, more like a late draft than a final copy. I had the idea that it would be funny but it isn't. There are so many characters floating in and out of the interconnected stories that, apart from Beverley and Lula I soon was completely lost as to who was who and who was related to whom. I am still not sure to whom Bella is related, for example and I can't be bothered going back through to find out.

Matters were not helped by the fact that the advance copy I received had lots of words missing so this disrupted the flow and made you wonder if you had missed something important.

None of it really rang true to me, the characters were either "good" or "bad" with no nuances and I was surprised that it has a contemporary setting as many residents seemed very much set in the past in their beliefs and attitudes towards gender roles, control, marriage, lifestyle and behaviour etc.

I often like a "ten years later" bit at the end of a book but, in this case, not so much.

Not for me, I’m afraid. I liked the premise of the book very much but I found there were too many characters, most of them quite one dimensional, and the story was a bit cliched and heavy handed. Some of the individual stories were nice enough but it didn’t hang together as a whole and quickly became very repetitive. 2.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This is a timely story given the plague of book banning that has gripped large swathes of America. The town of Troy, Georgia is no exception to the phenomenon and there, Lula Dean has set herself up as the arbiter of public morality when it comes to literature.

Fortunately a small but mighty set of people have decided to oppose her, determined not to take this lying down...

This novel is about so much more than one small town in the American South. It about the existential battle for diversity, inclusive education and the right to think for oneself.

Well worth reading for its intelligence and humour - and very possibly a book that could potentially face a ban in certain quarters if the troglodytes get their way! It gets 3.5 stars.

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.