Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books

A Novel

By: Kirsten Miller

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

“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

A Must-Read with a GREAT narrator

This book needs to be read by everyone! And the narrator was amazing. I enjoyed reading it both in book format and listening to it on audible.

Kirsten Miller tells a vivid story that raises a lot of questions and made me think about the books I’d want in a “little library”.

I spent most of my time analyzing the story and relating it to the current climate in America. Although this book takes place in a small southern town, it helps show that the problems and issues talked about in this book aren’t specific to one region; we have a problem in America as a whole if we don’t read about uncomfortable histories and explore things outside of ourselves. Knowledge is power!

I vote for this book! 🗳️

What a fun read. Nice to see a depiction of Georgia that includes some characters who are on the right side of history. Excellent narration. Loved it!

Easy to listen, fun, intriguing

This book gives a taste of American provincial life and the obstacles encountered during evolution of their society. Amusing and interesting.

Makes me want to construct my own little library of banned books.

Not my usual read but it was recommended by another of my favorite authors so I gave it a chance. Absolutely loved it. The characters are deep, sories are fun, talks frankly about difficult topics, and gave me a little slice of hope for the future.

Big topics but in a funny way

This book is lighthearted and made me laugh several times but it is deceptively deep and looks at a lot of serious topics. The way the characters are woven together is also really beautiful. I would definitely recommend reading this.

Another great story from Kirsten Miller

After reading Kirsten's book the Change, I didn't think I'd ever find another book that i enjoyed as much. This is a very close second favorite!

Loved it all!

Great book. Excellent narration! Well written and kept my interest through the entire book. Highly recommend!

Stunning story

When I started reading this, I didn’t realize how utterly critical a story it would be. It’s brilliantly done, with a variety of characters that bring you into their world and show you the utter importance of standing against book banning, bigotry, racism, abuse, and oppression in all it forms. Not only stand for truth, but demand it also. I can’t recommend this book strongly enough.

Thought-provoking, timely, and poignant.

As a teacher in the southern Bible Belt, I wish I could buy hundreds of copies of this book and share it with everyone I know. The storytelling was subtly satirical at times, while other times mirrored my own experiences far too closely.

I feel Seen!

It’s so refreshing to have a book about the south that actually reflects the south and not just the stereotypes.
This is a fun little beach read with some soul. There is a fair amount of sermonizing but it’s all in the name of showing a side of Georgians that is rarely heard from.
The narrator is excellent!