Wynn’s review of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books > Likes and Comments
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Felt the exact same way reading this book and then stopped reading it. Thank you for your review!
I’m about 50% in & totally agree with you!
I agree with you and I’m only 1/4 of the way through the book. The story revolves around binaries and thus it lacks the nuance that makes our problems so insidious and difficult to manage. Books are indeed magical and they can open new worlds; but authors that do so in their books don’t shirk their responsibility to represent context and the complexity of ideological difference.
I couldn’t disagree more and find all these comments so ironic given the subject of the book. The author works hard to provide the reasons behind the hateful and/or misguided behavior of the book banners and statue defenders; loneliness, the echo chamber of divisive news or a need for attention.
Felt the same way! Like I was being preached at … about something I already believe.
This is exactly how I felt. I listened to the audiobook and was in the shower when the author’s note started playing, so I couldn’t stop it. She mentions a couple of times about how she was raised on “the truth”. But morality isn’t objective truth. It’s not that I don’t agree with her morals - I do, completely. But declaring your beliefs “the truth” closes the door to all discussion.
Donna RB wrote: "I couldn’t disagree more and find all these comments so ironic given the subject of the book. The author works hard to provide the reasons behind the hateful and/or misguided behavior of the book b..."
I agree with you completely!
I agree with you! Some characters were interesting, mostly not. Like, what happened to Nathan? Hahaha.
You very eloquently voiced the way I felt overall. The “villains” were cartoon characters. Besides Wilma, the “heroes” were one dimensional and basically out there only to prove whatever point was being made. I gave it 3 because I didn’t think it was bad enough writing for a two. 2️⃣
I came away from it with a better understanding of where the book banners were coming from. This book gave me what I look for in all books- an understanding of the values and issues of others that think think differently than me and a newfound compassion for types of people I hadn’t had compassion for before.
Thank you for putting into words what I was thinking while reading this. I was genuinely enjoying the book until the preaching tone started to get old and I came here to see if others felt the same. I agree with you, I do not enjoy a preachy read. I may not finish.
SO beautifully said!! Couldn't agree more
Whew! I found my people! It’s a ham fisted sermon and sadly, the people who need a better understanding of the issue would reject it. And probably not see themselves.
Agreed. I’m astounded by the high ratings that this book received. This was painful to get through and sophomoric writing.
Thank you for this review! I agree 100% but never could’ve expressed it so eloquently. Scrolling through all the great reviews, I was beginning to wonder if I’d gotten a copy out of Lula’s library that had the wrong jacket because surely the book I read wasn’t the same book with all these wonderful reviews!! So glad to finally see someone else read the same version as me…..but disappointed that it wasn’t the great book I was expecting 🥴 because I was so looking forward to this book and just knew I was going to love it. Better luck to both of us on the next read!
I wanted to tear my hair out at the stereotypic characters. Preachy and annoying.
Seems to me many people were reading Richard Adams but were expecting Charles Dickens.
I second your thought. I had to drag myself through this. N preaching a definite nay.
This was the worst book I’ve read in several years. Kirsten Miller, and I definitely do not agree politically, but this book makes it clear that she has made absolutely no attempt to understand people who disagree with her and wants to present them as monolithic pieces of garbage. I’m not a piece of garbage and people like me are so new honest and definitely unlike many of the people she is trying to equate me with in this book. Donald Trump got reelected because people like Kirsten Miller refuse to open their minds and see the other side for who we really are.
I gave this book 3 stars because I couldn’t give it 2.5. So much self righteousness in the telling of this tale, took away from a truly important defense of books.
Huh, I disagree strongly. The author gives backstory for several characters explaining what led them to their worldview, including Mr. Wright, Walsh, the Fox News couple, and even Lula Dean herself
Wow! How entitled and privileged. IF one belongs to any of the marginalized groups in this book, one has experienced some of the villain personalities. IF one LOVES someone in one of those marginalized groups, one has witnessed it. IF one lives in or visits a small town, ESPECIALLY in the South, one has witnessed this behavior.
Donna RB wrote: "I couldn’t disagree more and find all these comments so ironic given the subject of the book. The author works hard to provide the reasons behind the hateful and/or misguided behavior of the book b..."
You nailed it in 1.
YES. Thank you!! My sentiments EXACTLY!!!
Wow I felt the opposite. Yes, there’s a clear stance of right and wrong, but she doesn’t “other” the villainous characters. By giving perspective, and glimpses into the other characters’ thoughts and feelings, it’s easy to see how people got where they are. Lula herself isn’t just a bad person- she’s an emotionally stunted woman desperate for acceptance. I think we can all resonate with the desire to fit in, and though it doesn’t excuse behavior, that commonality is how change actually happens. I think if you only saw black and white you weren’t looking hard enough.
Agree. And is so trendy: a zillion POVs, which usually weakens a book. But there is enough to keep me reading—in part, the stellar audio performance
I can't even finish. Boring. And I hate saying that. I usually finish anything I start but very preachy. And as a preachers kid who understands the boundaries and respects ppl...can't get into judgy stuff on either side.
I felt it was satire and PG 13 and I laughed and want my own little free library of banned books!!
I can see where you're coming from. I gave it a higher rating because I tend to rate books based on my expectations of them. In other words, I expected this to be a light, humorous book in the 'chick lit' vein with a lot of stereotypical characters and not much nuance and so I wasn't disappointed with that. Perhaps that's a mismatch of the subject matter and the genre. Sure, I rolled my eyes at portions, but like another person said, it's sort of a modern fairy tale, and in fairy tales you get a very marked difference in good/bad.
Why did I find this book so annoying? I basically agree with the author’s blatant biases. But somehow it was just too preachy. Or maybe I should call it condescending?
Agreed! It was okay..nothing more.
Totally agree! It was DNF for me and that rarely happens.
You expressed the strengths and issues with this book perfectly. Exactly how I feel about it.
I agree! It felt so trite. I liked the overall message but the execution left something to be desired.
I found it boring as well. The message is good just not written in a great style. Having made the error of reading the wonderful 5⭐️ Broken Country in between, it made Lula’s story more bland and lacking any prose. I had to finish it, since it was my book club pick. My rating was a 2.
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Madhumitha
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Jun 26, 2024 12:54PM
Felt the exact same way reading this book and then stopped reading it. Thank you for your review!
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I’m about 50% in & totally agree with you!
I agree with you and I’m only 1/4 of the way through the book. The story revolves around binaries and thus it lacks the nuance that makes our problems so insidious and difficult to manage. Books are indeed magical and they can open new worlds; but authors that do so in their books don’t shirk their responsibility to represent context and the complexity of ideological difference.
I couldn’t disagree more and find all these comments so ironic given the subject of the book. The author works hard to provide the reasons behind the hateful and/or misguided behavior of the book banners and statue defenders; loneliness, the echo chamber of divisive news or a need for attention.
Felt the same way! Like I was being preached at … about something I already believe.
This is exactly how I felt. I listened to the audiobook and was in the shower when the author’s note started playing, so I couldn’t stop it. She mentions a couple of times about how she was raised on “the truth”. But morality isn’t objective truth. It’s not that I don’t agree with her morals - I do, completely. But declaring your beliefs “the truth” closes the door to all discussion.
Donna RB wrote: "I couldn’t disagree more and find all these comments so ironic given the subject of the book. The author works hard to provide the reasons behind the hateful and/or misguided behavior of the book b..."I agree with you completely!
I agree with you! Some characters were interesting, mostly not. Like, what happened to Nathan? Hahaha.
You very eloquently voiced the way I felt overall. The “villains” were cartoon characters. Besides Wilma, the “heroes” were one dimensional and basically out there only to prove whatever point was being made. I gave it 3 because I didn’t think it was bad enough writing for a two. 2️⃣
I came away from it with a better understanding of where the book banners were coming from. This book gave me what I look for in all books- an understanding of the values and issues of others that think think differently than me and a newfound compassion for types of people I hadn’t had compassion for before.
Thank you for putting into words what I was thinking while reading this. I was genuinely enjoying the book until the preaching tone started to get old and I came here to see if others felt the same. I agree with you, I do not enjoy a preachy read. I may not finish.
SO beautifully said!! Couldn't agree more
Whew! I found my people! It’s a ham fisted sermon and sadly, the people who need a better understanding of the issue would reject it. And probably not see themselves.
Agreed. I’m astounded by the high ratings that this book received. This was painful to get through and sophomoric writing.
Thank you for this review! I agree 100% but never could’ve expressed it so eloquently. Scrolling through all the great reviews, I was beginning to wonder if I’d gotten a copy out of Lula’s library that had the wrong jacket because surely the book I read wasn’t the same book with all these wonderful reviews!! So glad to finally see someone else read the same version as me…..but disappointed that it wasn’t the great book I was expecting 🥴 because I was so looking forward to this book and just knew I was going to love it. Better luck to both of us on the next read!
I wanted to tear my hair out at the stereotypic characters. Preachy and annoying.
Seems to me many people were reading Richard Adams but were expecting Charles Dickens.
I second your thought. I had to drag myself through this. N preaching a definite nay.
This was the worst book I’ve read in several years. Kirsten Miller, and I definitely do not agree politically, but this book makes it clear that she has made absolutely no attempt to understand people who disagree with her and wants to present them as monolithic pieces of garbage. I’m not a piece of garbage and people like me are so new honest and definitely unlike many of the people she is trying to equate me with in this book. Donald Trump got reelected because people like Kirsten Miller refuse to open their minds and see the other side for who we really are.
I gave this book 3 stars because I couldn’t give it 2.5. So much self righteousness in the telling of this tale, took away from a truly important defense of books.
Huh, I disagree strongly. The author gives backstory for several characters explaining what led them to their worldview, including Mr. Wright, Walsh, the Fox News couple, and even Lula Dean herself
Wow! How entitled and privileged. IF one belongs to any of the marginalized groups in this book, one has experienced some of the villain personalities. IF one LOVES someone in one of those marginalized groups, one has witnessed it. IF one lives in or visits a small town, ESPECIALLY in the South, one has witnessed this behavior.
Donna RB wrote: "I couldn’t disagree more and find all these comments so ironic given the subject of the book. The author works hard to provide the reasons behind the hateful and/or misguided behavior of the book b..."You nailed it in 1.
YES. Thank you!! My sentiments EXACTLY!!!
Wow I felt the opposite. Yes, there’s a clear stance of right and wrong, but she doesn’t “other” the villainous characters. By giving perspective, and glimpses into the other characters’ thoughts and feelings, it’s easy to see how people got where they are. Lula herself isn’t just a bad person- she’s an emotionally stunted woman desperate for acceptance. I think we can all resonate with the desire to fit in, and though it doesn’t excuse behavior, that commonality is how change actually happens. I think if you only saw black and white you weren’t looking hard enough.
Agree. And is so trendy: a zillion POVs, which usually weakens a book. But there is enough to keep me reading—in part, the stellar audio performance
I can't even finish. Boring. And I hate saying that. I usually finish anything I start but very preachy. And as a preachers kid who understands the boundaries and respects ppl...can't get into judgy stuff on either side.
I felt it was satire and PG 13 and I laughed and want my own little free library of banned books!!
I can see where you're coming from. I gave it a higher rating because I tend to rate books based on my expectations of them. In other words, I expected this to be a light, humorous book in the 'chick lit' vein with a lot of stereotypical characters and not much nuance and so I wasn't disappointed with that. Perhaps that's a mismatch of the subject matter and the genre. Sure, I rolled my eyes at portions, but like another person said, it's sort of a modern fairy tale, and in fairy tales you get a very marked difference in good/bad.
Why did I find this book so annoying? I basically agree with the author’s blatant biases. But somehow it was just too preachy. Or maybe I should call it condescending?
Agreed! It was okay..nothing more.
Totally agree! It was DNF for me and that rarely happens.
You expressed the strengths and issues with this book perfectly. Exactly how I feel about it.
I agree! It felt so trite. I liked the overall message but the execution left something to be desired.
I found it boring as well. The message is good just not written in a great style. Having made the error of reading the wonderful 5⭐️ Broken Country in between, it made Lula’s story more bland and lacking any prose. I had to finish it, since it was my book club pick. My rating was a 2.
