Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books

A Novel

De: Kirsten Miller

Narrado por: January LaVoy

“Kirsten Miller has that rare ability to take a serious subject and make it very, very funny. I enjoyed this novel and you will too.”—James Patterson

The provocative and hilarious summer listen that will have book lovers cheering and everyone talking! Kirsten Miller, author of The Change, brings us a bracing, wildly entertaining satire about a small Southern town, a pitched battle over banned books, and a little lending library that changes everything.

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

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

That’s when all the townspeople who’ve been borrowing from Lula’s library begin to reveal themselves. That's when the showdown that’s been brewing between Beverly and Lula will roil the whole town...and change it forever.

©2024 Kirsten Miller (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

humor with poignant references to our society today

I found the story so entertaining that the points made about racism, anti semitism, book banning etc snuck up on me. The author presented them in an "ah-ha" way that makes us all review our own thoughts and beliefs and the slippery way they are ingrained in us.

Thoughtprovoking

This book is a must read! I recognize each and every type of person in this microcosm of our country. I wish most were as easily convinced that they have been looking at things the wrong way. I live in Florida and am Grandma (Oma) to 2 beautiful granddaughters, 10 and 6. Being born and raised in Germany, I was frequently taken on school trips to Concentration Camps and taught all about the holocaust. Those experiences did make me feel bad, but also made me feel like I would not stand by and let something like that happen.
Fast forward to today in Florida! Being worried is an understatement. I've began purchasing banned books for my grandkids. I will continue to do so!
After reading this book, I may start distributing some to the Free Tiny Libraries in my town!
Thank you!

Loved the interweaving of stories

A lighthearted telling of very serious subjects. Easy to read and important to understand. So sorry it ended.

Outstanding!!

Very timely, well written story. Highly recommended and greatly enjoyed. The author did an amazing job creating a community filled with characters who were endearing and inspiring.

Loved it!!

I loved this so much!! I didn’t want it to end! I stayed up late, and naturally woke up early just so I could listen to it.

WOW

Everyone should read this…perspective is amazing. It gives me hope that we can respect one another, despite our differences.

delighted by books setting people free

More people should pick up books outside of their wheelhouse. imagine how much better and more informed the world would be if everyone was able to expand their thoughts and understandings beyond the constraints put in their pathways

Best contemporary novel I've ever had the privilege to read!

Every person, every where needs to read this book. powerful, heartwarming, balanced, hopeful and solution oriented! I was constantly laughing outloud, bookmarking quotes, and I even recorded a couple lines spoken by one of the numerous rich and colorful characters, my bff's ringtone! (re: green eggs and ham)
Read rhis with your book group, listen to it with you mom or daughter or husband or best girlfriends. This book is truthtelling, healing, goodness, community and a better tomorrow baked into a 7 layer penis cake. buckle your seatbelt and prepare to feel a whole lot better than you did before your listened!

Funny satirical story

This was a great easy listen, I liked the characters and the ending tied up nicely.

To Librarians Everywhere

Give this to everyone you love. It's a morality play. It hits everything that hurts and everything to rejoice about.