Banned Books Week runs through Oct. 10. As we’ve covered in years past, those who care about access to books can do a lot to support the freedom to read, regardless of which week it is on the calendar.
PEN America released a report on Oct. 5 stating that nearly 12,000 bans had been imposed in public schools over the past year, and the most popular author – sorry, the most banned author – was once again Stephen King. (Both things can be true, of course.)
This was the largest number of bans since PEN started recording the number of removals five years ago. The books pulled ranged from “Jane Eyre” to the most banned book, “Sold,” Patricia McCormick’s 2006 YA novel about a Nepali girl sold into sexual slavery.
As you’re reading a newsletter about books, you may already be doing something about it: supporting a free speech organization, contacting your local representatives or buying a banned book.
What else can you do? Even simply messaging someone doing work you support and admire is a good idea. You’d be surprised to know how much it can mean to a person.
As this community of readers already knows, connections build strength. So if you’re concerned about the banning of books and are thinking about what else you can do about it, you might consider supporting a favorite local supplier of books: your local indie store or library branch.
“Every banned book is a warning — a call to stand up for diverse voices, the power of books, and the survival of democracy, and to stand against censorship and creeping fascism. This Banned Books Week, independent bookstores aren’t just raising awareness — they’re defending the future,” said Ray Daniels, chief communications officer of the American Booksellers Association, responding to me by email this week.
In Southern California, we have a wealth of excellent bookstores and libraries staffed by committed book lovers, so if you’re wondering what you might do this coming week, stop in and chat with a bookseller or librarian and let them know you appreciate what they do and maybe pick up a book.
We live in distracting, distracted times, and so even as we push back against censorship and shadow book bans, it’s also important to remember that both literacy and our access to books are being undermined when companies strip-mine and shred books to train AI or swap in slop content without our consent.
So actively champion the things we all love: Reading books and journalism composed by actual people. Supporting authors, libraries and bookstores. Writing our own messy thoughts rather than leaning on AI-generated responses. Protecting our communities, environments and local economies with good stewardship.
And after all that, as a reward, take a break with a book you love – bonus points if an animal companion snoozes next to you at the same time – and know that even a simple gesture like this is a powerful way to stay connected to the kinds of creative, extremely human things that we care about.
Why would we want to outsource something we love so much?
If you’re looking for more information about Banned Books Week, check out the American Library Association and American Booksellers Association websites, or you can also take part in Banned Books Read-In events sponsored by Libro.fm and the Silent Book Club. Sarah Batcha put together an alphabetical list of participating Southern California bookstores; check with the shops for more info:
Arvida Book Co., Tustin, 9 a.m. Oct. 10, arvidabookco.com
Cellar Door Bookstore, Riverside, Oct. 5, cellardoorbookstore.com
The Claremont Forum Bookshop, Claremont, 4 p.m. Oct. 9, claremontforum.org
CSULB Library, Long Beach, 11 a.m. Oct. 5, csulb.libguides.com/bannedbooks/2026events
Dym Books & Boba, Pasadena, 11 a.m. Oct. 10, dympasadena.com
Judging by the Cover, San Dimas, 11 a.m. Oct. 4, judgingbythecoverbooks.com
Moonstone & Mist Bookshop, Redondo Beach, 4 p.m. Oct. 10, moonstoneandmist.com
Morgan’s Books, Upland, 9 a.m. Oct. 10, morgansbooks.com
The Reading Nook Store, Glendora, 5 p.m. Oct. 4, thereadingnookstore.com
The Rewilding, Toluca Lake, Oct. 3, instagram.com/the.rewilding.la
Underdog Bookstore, Monrovia, 10 a.m., Oct. 10, underdogbookstore.org