263: Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller – Summer Reading Spectacular

As part of the Summer Reading Spectacular, Steve chats with Kirsten Miller, author of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, about her deep love for libraries, the real-life banned books that inspired her book, and how she tackled book banning, censorship, and the power of literature, all while retaining a humorous and engaging tone. Stick around for another edition of The Circ Desk with Rebecca and Yaika as they discuss different types of satire, “books about books”, and give their read-alikes from Library Reads and NoveList!

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Kirsten Miller is the author of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books and The Change, a GMA Book Club pick, as well as the groundbreaking YA series starring Kiki Strike. Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, she now lives in Brooklyn, New York. 

SHOW NOTES:

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books
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262: Unladylike Rules of Attraction by Amita Murray – Summer Reading Spectacular

As part of the Summer Reading Spectacular, Steve chats with Amita Murray, author of Unladylike Rules of Attraction, the second novel in her Marleigh Sisters series, about her experiences with libraries, the inspiration behind her writing, and why incorporating diverse elements into her Regency romances is so crucial. At the Circ Desk, Rebecca and Yaika talk about Regency romances and give their reading recommendations from Library Reads and NoveList!

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Amita Murray lives in London and can be found writing and tweeting about life and chocolate. Her novels take you on a romp through the edgier streets of Regency England. Her Arya Winters mysteries are under a TV option. Her mystery novel Thirteenth Night won the Exeter Novel Prize and her short story “A Heist in Three Acts” appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. She’s been writer-in-residence with the British Council, Spread the Word, Leverhulme, and Literature Works, and she is committed to finding that magic button that creates more diversity in publishing.

SHOW NOTES:

Unladylike Rules of Attraction
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261: The Bezzle by Cory Doctorow – Summer Reading Spectacular

As part of the Summer Reading Spectacular, Steve chats with Cory Doctorow, author of The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, about the concept of enshittification, Cory’s creative process and prolific writing during the lockdown, his strategies for managing information intake, and much more. And stay tuned for the debut of The Circ Desk featuring Rebecca Vnuk from Library Reads and Yaika Sabat from NoveList, who discuss cyber- and techno-thrillers, and read-alikes for The Bezzle!

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Cory Doctorow (craphound.com) is a science fiction author, activist and journalist. He is the author of many books, most recently THE BEZZLE (a followup to RED TEAM BLUES) and THE LOST CAUSE, a solarpunk science fiction novel of hope amidst the climate emergency. His most recent nonfiction book is THE INTERNET CON: HOW TO SEIZE THE MEANS OF COMPUTATION, a Big Tech disassembly manual. Other recent books include RED TEAM BLUES, a science fiction crime thriller; CHOKEPOINT CAPITALISM, nonfiction about monopoly and creative labor markets; the LITTLE BROTHER series for young adults; IN REAL LIFE, a graphic novel; and the picture book POESY THE MONSTER SLAYER. In 2020, he was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

SHOW NOTES:

The Bezzle [bookshop.org affiliate link]
Circulating Ideas 28: Cory Doctorow
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