Allison’s Book Report - “Kula Deans Little Library of Banned Books” by Kirsten Miller

“The Change” by Kirsten Miller is one of my favorite books. It is a fun murder mystery meets coming-of-(middle)age story about three women who discover they have some pretty awesome powers when they enter menopause. I regularly recommend it to anyone who will listen. Naturally, I was very excited when I heard that Miller had a new novel, and I couldn’t help but dive right in when “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” turned up in my mailbox.

“Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” is set in the small, seemingly idyllic town of Troy, Georgia, where Beverly Underwood and her arch-enemy, Lula Dean, were born and raised. Beverly is on the school board now, and Lula recently gained small-town celebrity status by embarking on a mission to rid all of Troy’s public libraries of inappropriate books. She confiscates a ton of books that she deems “pornographic.” None of which she has read herself. To replace the disgraceful books, Lula starts a lending library outside her home – a little wooden cupboard painted purple and stuffed full of wholesome books that she is sure the town needs to read. In the middle of the night, a local troublemaker steals all of Lula’s books, removes their dust jackets, and restocks Lula’s library with banned books. Among these forbidden books are literary classics, gay romances, Black history, Judy Blume novels, and more.  As neighbors borrow books from Lula Dean’s library, they find their lives changed in unexpected ways, as the books they borrow somehow always turn out to be the books they need, whether they know it or not. When the townspeople borrowing from Lula’s library begin to reveal themselves, the showdown between Beverly and Lula gets the whole town wound up and asking questions that will change life in Troy forever.

When I say that I adore this book, I am not exaggerating.  I found it to be witty and enchanting – and very relatable as an avid reader, a staunch opponent of banning books, and as a woman living in the small community where I grew up. Lula is such a classic “Karen” personality, simultaneously funny and frustrating. The towns folk all have secrets, which are revealed as different ones come into possession of just the banned book they didn’t know they needed. Miller depicts small-town hysteria perfectly and makes a strong case against the banning of books in America.

That is all I have this week, but I would love for you to pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader and give me a follow. Let’s discuss our favorite banned books and what I should read and review next.