Bookwyrm Bookshop

For Banned Books Week, we are counting down the top 10 most challenged books in the country. We will spotlight 2 books a day. This is your opportunity to learn about these books and decide for yourself. While all of these books are highly praised, book #6 has received the highest prize achievable... A Nobel Prize.

💙 #𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a powerful, critically acclaimed novel that explores the destructive impact of internalized racism and societal beauty standards on a young Black girl named Pecola. Through Morrison’s masterful storytelling, the book provides profound insights into identity, trauma, and marginalization. Banning this novel denies readers the opportunity to engage with its deep themes of race, self-worth, and the painful effects of systemic racism, all of which remain relevant today. The Bluest Eye is essential for fostering empathy and understanding of diverse experiences.

Don't forget to check out our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org and if you can, please donate a banned book today!
https://bookshop.org/wishlists/60a5a5b1cec5416841ddfa3ba0e0266c2a582a16

📚 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱/𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 📚

It's Banned Books Week, and we are on day 3 of our countdown of the most frequently challenged books in our country as of last year. Each day, we'll highlight 2 books from the list—stay tuned for the #1 most banned title!

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟑: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝟔 & 𝟓

📖 #𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑝𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑚𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Explicit content, racism, s*xual abuse, and offensive language.

📖 #𝟓: 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨
𝐴 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑝.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: LGBTQ+ content, bullying, and self-harm themes.

Check back tomorrow for books #4 and #3! Let’s keep these important stories accessible for all. Support our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org! See LinkTree in bio.

🚫 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗗𝗮𝘆 3 🚫

🚨 Across the country, especially in Florida, book bans in schools are on the rise. Schools are meant to be places of learning where students can encounter a wide range of subjects, challenge their thinking, and develop their own viewpoints. Shielding them from certain material prevents them from learning how to engage with challenging ideas constructively, including topics like race, gender, s*xuality, and identity—subjects that are increasingly relevant in the real world.

In 2023, titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts. Representation in literature is essential for fostering inclusivity, empathy, and self-acceptance. This is especially important for children's literature. When children from marginalized groups see themselves reflected in stories, it validates their experiences, enhances self-esteem, and shows them that their voices and lives matter.

Censorship undermines the development of critical thinking skills. Students need the ability to evaluate different perspectives, question what they read, and form their own opinions. Education should empower, not restrict, and parents can play a vital role in ensuring that schools remain spaces for open exploration and growth.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟

Parents can take active steps to combat book bans and challenges in public schools and libraries. Here are five effective actions:

𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙊𝙪𝙩: Parents should stay updated on the books being challenged in their school district and attend school board meetings to voice their opposition to book bans. Mobilize the community by starting a petition against book bans in the school district. This can show school administrators that a significant portion of the community supports intellectual freedom and opposes censorship.

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔: Teachers and librarians are often allies in the fight against censorship. Parents can collaborate with them to organize events, like "Banned Books Week," to highlight the importance of access to diverse literature and encourage students to explore these works.

𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒔: Organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America actively fight against censorship. Parents can become members, donate, or collaborate with these groups to push back against bans.

𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈: Parents can provide diverse reading materials to their children outside of school, ensuring they have access to books that reflect different perspectives, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices. Parents can use their own discretion to include otherwise challenged or banned books in their home. Check out books from the library to show support for their vital role in the community in providing universal access to all.

𝑩𝒖𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔: Support the writers, publishers, and booksellers who are on the front lines fighting censorship. Purchasing banned books sends a message to publishers and authors that these stories matter. Supporting these works financially ensures that diverse voices continue to be published, heard, and discussed.

By staying active and united, parents can help protect access to a wide range of literature for students and fight against the narrowing of intellectual and cultural exploration in public education.

Don't forget to check out our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org and if you can, please buy a banned book for donation today!

For Banned Books Week, we are counting down the top 10 most challenged books in the country. We will spotlight 2 books a day. This is your opportunity to learn about these books and decide for yourself. Numbers 8 & 7 on the list are a tie. Here's one of them.

💔 #𝟴/𝟳: 𝗠𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews is a unique, heartfelt, and often humorous novel that deals with friendship, illness, and the awkwardness of adolescence. The story follows Greg, an unambitious high school senior, and his reluctant friendship with Rachel, a girl with terminal cancer. While the book addresses serious themes like mortality, it does so with wit and humor, making it accessible and engaging for teens. Banning this book limits young readers from exploring how humor and humanity can be found in even the toughest situations. It provides a nuanced perspective on coping with grief and loss that fosters empathy and understanding.

Don't forget to check out our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org and if you can, please donate a ban https://bookshop.org/wishlists/60a5a5b1cec5416841ddfa3ba0e0266c2a582a16

For Banned Books Week, we are counting down the top 10 most challenged books in the country. We will spotlight 2 books a day. This is your opportunity to learn about these books and decide for yourself. Numbers 8 & 7 on the list are a tie. Here's one of them.

💔 #𝟴/𝟳: 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins is a powerful and emotionally gripping novel that weaves together the stories of five teens who struggle with difficult circumstances and are forced into the world of s*x work. Through her signature verse style, Hopkins explores heavy themes like addiction, abuse, and survival with sensitivity and depth, offering readers an unflinching look at real-world challenges. Banning this book prevents teens from engaging with these important topics, which could foster understanding, empathy, and discussions about complex issues like exploitation and resilience in the face of adversity. Access to such narratives is essential for promoting awareness and compassion.

Don't forget to check out our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org and if you can, please donate a banned book today! Link in bio.

This 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 and all year long, fight book bans with us and . From 9/22-9/28, you can download a free copy of 𝐼 𝐴𝑚 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑙𝑎.

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781478979791?bookshop=bookwyrmbookshop

Check out Libro.fm for more Banned Books Week resources, including additional titles on sale this week.
https://libro.fm/banned?bookshop=bookwyrmbookshop

Don't forget to check out our 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 on Bookshop.org and if you can, purchase a banned book for donation today!
https://bookshop.org/wishlists/60a5a5b1cec5416841ddfa3ba0e0266c2a582a16

📚 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱/𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 📚

It's Banned Books Week, and we are on day 2 of our countdown of the most frequently challenged books in our country as of last year. Each day, we'll highlight 2 books from the list—stay tuned for the #1 most banned title!

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟐: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝟖 & 𝟕

📖 #𝟖/𝟕: 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐹𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑥 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑒𝑥, 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: S*xual content, drug use, and graphic depictions of prostitution.

📖 #𝟖/𝟕: 𝐌𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬
𝐴 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Crude language, s*xual content, and offensive humor.

Check back tomorrow for books #6 and #5! Let’s keep these important stories accessible for all. Support our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org! See LinkTree in bio.

📚 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽! 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 📚

At Bookwyrm Bookshop, we believe in the power of stories to open minds, challenge perspectives, and spark change. However, more and more books are being challenged or banned nationwide, limiting access to crucial, thought-provoking literature. In response, we’re launching a 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 to ensure that these important stories reach the hands of those who need them most.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: We’re partnering with a local grassroots organization that will distribute donated banned books, ensuring these works are available to students, educators, and readers who may not have access to them otherwise.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩:
1. Purchase a banned book from our curated list.
2. We will donate it directly to a grassroots organization for distribution.
3. Your support encourages free thought and open discussion in our community and ensures that everyone has the right to read freely.

👉 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 by purchasing a banned book through our Banned Books Donation Campaign registry (link below).

Together, we can push back against censorship and make sure everyone has access to diverse and important voices in literature. Thank you for supporting the freedom to read!

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑦𝑛𝑥 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ, 𝐼𝑛𝑐.
The Lynx Watch is a (501c3) non-profit working to distribute challenged and banned books widely in Florida. The Lynx Watch is an off-shoot of the bookstore The Lynx, in Gainesville, FL, founded by best-selling author Lauren Groff. Groff, named in this year's TIME magazine's list of the 100 most influential people, is also a three-time National Book Award finalist. She opened The Lynx bookstore this year in direct response to the outrageous increase in book bans statewide.

Banned Books Donation Campaign Bookshop.org Custom Registry

For Banned Books Week, we are counting down the top 10 most challenged books in the country. We will spotlight 2 books a day. This is your opportunity to learn about these books and decide for yourself. The ninth book in our countdown is...

📣 #𝟗: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐈𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐱, 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧

Let’s Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to S*x, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan is an honest, inclusive, and informative guide that helps teens navigate the often confusing topics of s*x, relationships, consent, and self-identity. It's praised for its approachable tone, comprehensive content, and commitment to providing accurate, age-appropriate information. Banning this book denies young people the chance to educate themselves about healthy relationships and s*xual well-being in a responsible, respectful manner. Access to this kind of resource is crucial for fostering informed, confident, and respectful individuals.

Don't forget to check out our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org and if you can, please donate a banned book today! See LinkTree in bio.

For Banned Books Week, we are counting down the top 10 most challenged books in the country. We will spotlight 2 books a day. This is your opportunity to learn about these books and decide for yourself. First up...

⛓ #𝟏𝟎: 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐤

Sold by Patricia McCormick is a powerful and eye-opening novel about a young girl named Lakshmi who is trafficked into s*xual slavery. Based on real-life stories of human trafficking, it highlights the strength of the human spirit and the importance of hope in the darkest circumstances. Far from being inappropriate, this book raises awareness about global human rights issues and encourages empathy and activism. Banning this book silences an important conversation about exploitation and resilience that young readers deserve to engage with. Protecting access to such stories is crucial for fostering compassion and understanding in the next generation.

Don't forget to check out our Banned Books Donation Campaign on Bookshop.org and if you can, please donate a banned book today!

📚 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱/𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 📚

It's Banned Books Week, so we're kicking it off with a 5-day countdown of the most frequently challenged books right here in our country. Censorship has no place in our schools and libraries, and these books remind us why it's so important to protect the freedom to read. Each day, we'll highlight 2 books from the list—stay tuned for the #1 most banned title!

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝟭𝟬 & 𝟵

📖 #𝟏𝟎: 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐤
𝐴 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑎 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: Depictions of s*xual exploitation, child abuse, and difficult themes.

📖 #𝟗: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐈𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐱, 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐞𝐧
𝐴𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑥, 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝𝑠.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: Explicit s*xual content, illustrations, and LGBTQ+ themes.

Check back tomorrow for books #8 and #7! Let’s keep these important stories accessible for all.

📚 Stop banning books! 🚫

Our children deserve the freedom to learn, explore, and understand the world through diverse voices and stories. Book bans erase important perspectives on race, identity, and history, silencing authors like Toni Morrison and Maia Kobabe. Limiting access to these books deprives students of critical thinking and empathy-building opportunities. Let’s champion education, not censorship! ✊🏿📖

Here's some stats to prep yourself for Banned Books Week coming up later this month.

Censorship Attempts, 2014-2023 A Flourish story by Office for Intellectual Freedom

Big news!!! Mainstream moms are standing up for the freedom to parent and pushing back on extremists trying to use “parent's rights” to dictate what our kids can learn. Want to join us? Click the link below to sign up and get more info.

Join Us!

Fall is upon us and we are going full speed ahead into market season. 4 opportunities to catch us in September. Come find your next great read for the change of season.

Banned Books Week 2024 will take place from September 22nd to September 28th. Here's a link to some excellent additions to your wardrobe from The American Booksellers for Free Expression to show your support in eliminating book bans in our country!

FREADOM | Bonfire Independent bookstores supporting the right to read.. Check out more official merch from the American Booksellers Association here!

Wise words.

Umberto Eco, who owned 50,000 books, had this to say about home libraries:

"It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticise those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones.

"There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion.

"If, for example, we consider books as medicine, we understand that it is good to have many at home rather than a few: when you want to feel better, then you go to the 'medicine closet' and choose a book. Not a random one, but the right book for that moment. That's why you should always have a nutrition choice!

"Those who buy only one book, read only that one and then get rid of it. They simply apply the consumer mentality to books, that is, they consider them a consumer product, a good. Those who love books know that a book is anything but a commodity."

Which book hits this way for you?

Please forgive me