Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is a Timely Read with a Powerful Message

With the concerning rise in hate and fear mongering, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is a very timely book. From prejudice, book banning, and homophobia, to misogyny, oppression, plain old hate and hypocrisy, Kirsten Miller has written a story that is absolutely jam-packed with important topics that will instigate great discussion.

Told using interconnected stories, with many different narrators, the book was a bit slow to start, but Miller expertly reminds readers who’s who. As we dive deeper into the issues in the small town and the secret lives of its residents, the book pulled me in, and I ended up reading it in a couple of sittings.

The fact that Lula Dean wasn’t the hero of the story (more of a ‘Dolores Umbridge’ type busybody) was an interesting, if a bit perplexing, choice for a main character. But through Lula and the other small-town residents, Miller shows how book banning and censorship benefit no one and that ignorance only gives power to others.

With bits of humour, heart and a powerful message, Miller provides readers an entertaining and timely story centered around serious issues that continue to plague society.

Note: a list of the banned books mentioned in the book are listed in the back.