Relevant Reads for Progressives

Non-Fiction:  

Title: That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America | Author: Amanda Jones   | Publication Date: Bloomsbury Publishing, 8/27/24

     In 2022, the author, a librarian in a small town in Louisiana, attended a public meeting to discuss the content of the books available at the town’s library and in its schools. Alarmed to hear the outcry against books related to race, LGBT+ people, and “anti-Christian” philosophies, she spoke up and declared that she’d be damned if she would allow book banning in her community.

     The next day she awoke to all hell breaking loose. She endured a nightmare of name-calling, death threats and social ostracism.  Extremist groups and hard right politicians targeted her in campaigns funded by dark money. But Amanda fought back and sued her persecutors. She gained support from people who joined her resistance.

     Amanda urges all citizens who support equity and inclusion to join the fight against book banning. She cites examples from all over the nation where book banning is being considered or has actually occurred, and what is being done to combat it.

Fiction:

Title: The Librarian of Burned Books  | Author: Brianna Labuskes | Publication Date: William Morrow, 2/21/23

     This cautionary tale takes place in the years just before and during World War II and Hitler’s despotism. It highlights the lives of three women with strong ties to books who risk facing severe consequences because of their opposition to book censorship.

     Berlin, 1933: Young American writer Althea James is invited to attend a cultural exchange program by Joseph Goebbels himself. Initially she is dazzled and delighted by Berlin, but after she sees another part of the city being oppressed, she joins a resistance group.

     Paris, 1936: Hannah Brecht has escaped Berlin only to find that Paris is also overrun with Nazi sympathizers and anti-Semites. She throws herself into her job at the German Library of Burned Books, believing she can counter the wave of fascism.

     New York, 1944: War widow Vivian Childs fights against a powerful senator who wants to propagandize paperbacks being sent to American soldiers overseas.