Writer Kirsten Miller’s work seems more relevant now than ever. Speaking to PEOPLE at the New York Celebration of Reading on Nov. 20, Miller, who released her latest novel Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books noted in June that the subject of the book is currently on many people’s minds. “We knew book banning was happening long before it became a national topic of discussion,” Miller said. “I have good friends whose books were banned for reasons that I still thought were pretty ridiculous at the time…it was just kind of a crisis that we saw unfold in slow motion.”Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books is a satirical novel set in a small town in Georgia that follows the title character who, in order to remove the books she deems appropriate from the libraries, sets up her own library in front of her house. But then someone in town starts replacing Lula’s books with banned titles, including classics, LGBTQ+ romances, and more — putting banned material inside the covers of Lula’s original books, effectively tricking people into reading the banned books.
‘Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books’ by Kirsten Miller.
William Morrow
Miller recently spent time traveling the country, talking to librarians, teachers and booksellers as book bans skyrocket across the country. A recent report by PEN America found that there were more than 10,000 recorded cases of book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, a 200 percent increase over the previous year. “I’m from the South and a lot of people assume it’s a Southern problem,” Miller said. “You talk to librarians in Massachusetts or Wisconsin or even Connecticut and they’ll tell you the same thing is happening in their schools and public libraries and even in their bookstores.”
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Miller, who started out as a children’s writer, also noted how fiction can offer a way to discuss difficult topics with readers. it’s violence against women in my first book, Changeor is it about banning the book Lula Deanand they really try to draw people into these very, very serious topics with humor and a fun story,” the author explained.
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‘The Change’ by Kirsten Miller.
Amazon
“Because I think people are very indecisive right now. They don’t want to be taught a lesson,” added the author. “They don’t want to be beaten. And I think the effect of that is that we ended up not having the discussions that we really need to have.”
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Miller also had some advice for those who may be looking for ways to fight book bans. [and] surround yourself with people who feel the same,” Miller advised. “One of the things I see over and over again in the cities and towns I visit, the people fighting to keep books on the shelves often feel very isolated and very alone… find your people and fight for what you think is right.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Miller was a featured author at the New York Celebration of Reading, organized by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Founded by the former first lady in 1989, the foundation aims to expand literacy services for adults and families across the country, according to their website; a problem Miller is also behind. “It’s something that has an impact on the industry,” Miller said. “It affects the teachers we deal with and the librarians we deal with. And this is a topic that has always been near and dear to me.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education