Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books: A Novel

“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 read 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.

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Published Jun 18, 2024

304 pages

Average rating: 7.78

312 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

CHare!
May 30, 2025
10/10 stars
Loved those book
JJS
May 19, 2025
8/10 stars
I loved this book. Nearly a five star for me, but I felt like the ending was a bit too drawn out.
MWojo
May 11, 2025
10/10 stars
An absolute must for everyone.
Jewel Gems
Apr 06, 2025
9/10 stars
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is a clever and timely story that highlights the absurdity of censorship. With sharp wit and a touch of irony, the book shows how even the smallest acts—intentional or not—can spark big conversations. Lula Dean might not be a hero, but her little library becomes a symbol of resistance and curiosity. The story balances humor and social commentary in a way that’s both accessible and engaging. It’s a great reminder that books have power, even when the people involved don’t fully realize it.
Susie.Q.Belle
Mar 24, 2025
7/10 stars
The writing style was creative and kept my interest to see how the story would unfold.

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