In this episode, Philomena Polefrone, PhD discusses her role in advocating for intellectual freedom through the ABA. The conversation touches on book bans, censorship, and the role of bookstores as spaces for activism. The discussion covers the history of book bans, grassroots organizing, and the legal challenges involved in defending diverse literature.

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About Philomena: Philomena Polefrone is the Advocacy Associate Manager at the American Booksellers Association, where she champions intellectual freedom and free expression. With a background in bookselling and a decade in academia, Philomena brings a unique perspective to her work, blending literature and activism. She leads initiatives like the Set Books Free Project, aimed at combating book bans and promoting access to diverse, often censored literature. Her passion for defending the right to read makes her a key advocate in the fight against censorship.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

• Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
• The 1619 Project by Caitlin Roper, Ilena Silverman & Jake Silverstein
• Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
• Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal
• Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

On today’s episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we dive into literacy for young readers with graphic novelist Huda Fahmy and children’s bookshop owner Anna Hersh. We dive into school reading lists, storytime at bookshops, building confidence, the process of turning graphic novels into audiobooks, and even a mischievous cat with a knack for escaping in baby strollers.

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Use promo code: SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.

About Huda Fahmy: Huda Fahmy grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and has loved comics since she was a child. She taught English to middle and high schoolers for eight years before she started writing about her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America and was encouraged by her older sister to turn these stories into comics. Huda was a finalist for the National Book Award for her YA graphic novel, Huda F Cares?.

About Anna Hersh: Anna is the co-owner and animal care coordinator at Wild Rumpus Bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Before Wild Rumpus she worked with exotic animals in sanctuaries.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

• Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
• Huda F Cares by Huda Fahmy
• As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
• Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu
• Run by Blake Crouch
• Endgame by Frank Brady

On today's episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we chat with Mel Saavedra, the owner of Steamy Lit Bookstore and the driving force behind Steamy Lit Con. Mel discusses her deep passion for romance literature, the genre's growing popularity, and the importance of representation in romance novels. Mel also delves into her subscription service, the Steam Box, and her new podcast, Romance Unleashed. The episode concludes with a lightning round, Instagram story time, and, as always, some great book recommendations.

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Use promo code: SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.

About Mel: Mel Saavedra, founder of Steamy Lit, is a proud Latina, Navy Veteran, and dog mom. A passionate reader of steamy romance, her love for the genre deepened in 2020. Noticing the lack of representation for authors of color in romance, she created Steamy Lit to empower discussions around sexuality and self-love, and to provide a platform for underrepresented authors.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

• Brittainy Cherry's 'Elemental series'
• The Design of Us by Sajni Patel
• I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee
• Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner
• The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
• The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan