Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Lynn Lovegreen @lynnlovegreen.bsky.social · 13h

Great thread on supporting Banned Books Week!

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 1d

Hello #BookSky Are you still figuring out what you're doing for #BannedBooksWeek We'll help! Here's a framework for you:
1 Event or
1 Organization or
1 Person
Here's what we mean...

3 6

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 23h

Readers of all ages are invited to drop in at the Westwood Public Library between 6 and 8:30pm on October 8 to browse our selection of banned books, nosh on some snacks, and settle down for some silent reading. #BannedBooksWeek

Banned Book Week Silent Read-a-thon

In recognition of Banned Book Week, we are holding a Banned Book Read-a-thon! Readers of all ages are invited to drop in between 6 and 8:30pm to browse our selection of banned...

westwoodlibrary.libcal.com

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 1d

Share widely. Contact your electeds. Get this legislation over the finish line.

It's time for the MA legislature to pass a Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians + educators from harassment; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, + publishers from economic harm due to censorship. I support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328).

9 11

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 1d

Hello #BookSky Are you still figuring out what you're doing for #BannedBooksWeek We'll help! Here's a framework for you:
1 Event or
1 Organization or
1 Person
Here's what we mean...

1 22 27

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 1d

It's banned books week and so I'm legally obligated to bully you, a person who has ever had their name on a book, into joining @authorsabb.bsky.social.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We fight the source of book bans with calls to action, partnership w everyone in the game, and offer training.

AABB Author Sign-Up Form

Hello! We're Authors Against Book Bans, a group of authors who’ve come together to protect and promote the freedom to read on both the national and local levels. We’re creating a network of authors to...

docs.google.com

1 120 200

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 1d

Will you be in or around Webster tomorrow? The Gladys E Kelly Public Library is hosting a Banned books Read In in their Community Room from 6-7:30PM #BannedBooksWeek

Banned Books Read-In

We’ve teamed up with @librofm and @silentbookclub to host a #BannedBooksWeek Read-In on October 7th at 6:00PM in protest of censorship. Join us as we read and take action to fight book bans!Attendees…

gladyskellylibrary.assabetinteractive.com

2

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 1d

Tomorrow! Join Belonging Books in Hyannis for a Banned Books Read In at 5PM #BannedBooksWeek

Banned Books Week Read-In | Belonging Books

Join us for a Banned Books Week Read-In on Tuesday, October 7 at 5 p.m. in protest of censorship. Join us as we read and take action to fight book bans! In partnership with Libro.fm and Silent Book…

www.belongingbookscapecod.com

1 5

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Porter Square Books in Cambridge & Boston @portersqbooks.bsky.social · 2d

It's #BannedBooksWeek We had our Right to Read event last week, but there's tons of other stuff happening in Mass & around the country. Follow @massaabb.bsky.social & @authorsabb.bsky.social for events, actions, & other info!

6 10

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff" @authorlevai.bsky.social · 2d

It's #BannedBooksWeek!
Stopped by Next Chapter books in Quincy to write postcards to my local reps. If you're in town, stop in. They'll have cards all week and cover the postage!
@authorsabb.bsky.social @massaabb.bsky.social

The author sits in a chair, writing a postcard on a clipboard balanced on her knee. There is an anti-censorship poster in the background.

5 11

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 4d

AABB is proud to join this coalition of groups fighting for the freedom to read. Nothing gives us more hope than the understanding that while the fight may be daunting, we are not in it alone. 1/3

Standing together for the freedom to read.

All students, all people, deserve and require access to information.

Access to books is essential for the free exchange of ideas and for the protection of a healthy democracy.

Books hold a pivotal role in our culture—a role that must be projected.

During Banned Books Week, we recommit ourselves to fighting censorship and authoritarianism all year round.

Today, a well-coordinated network of politically motivated public officials, groups are attacking our fundamental freedoms—including our freedom to read.

Thousands of books that predominantly depict people of color and LBGTQ+ people and that discuss sex, gender, sexuality, race, and racism are banned in public schools and libraries across the country.

These attacks on school districts and public libraries, educators and librarians, authors and illustrators, and the publishers and booksellers that support them are stripping students, families, and all library patrons of their freedom to read and learn.

These efforts upend the lives of students, families, authors, illustrators, educators, and librarians. It leads to erasure from the shelves, harassment from would be censors, denial of access to books, job loss, and financial and emotional distress.

1 25 57

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 4d

Listen, obviously, Massachusetts is pretty awesome, but that doesn't mean we're completely immune to all of the broader cultural forces. 46 titles have been challenged or removed from shelves in Mass from 2022-24. That's exactly 46 too many. Here's a list of all too familiar titles

Books Challenged in MA 2022-24

Books Challenged or Censored in Massachusetts 2022-24 These 46 titles were challenged or removed from shelves in Massachusetts between 2022 and 2024. This list is compiled from data collected by…

docs.google.com

1 9 8

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 5d

Good Morning #BookSky You made it to Friday! What did you do this week to help get right to read legislation passed in Massachusetts?

2 7

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Publishers Weekly @publisherswkly.bsky.social · 5d

Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans, a new resource-sharing community affiliated with Authors Against Book Bans and geared toward industry insiders, will host its first virtual town hall, “Book Bans and the Art of Protecting Authors,” on October 28.

Publishing Pros Band Together to Root Out Censorship

Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans, a new resource-sharing community affiliated with Authors Against Book Bans and geared toward industry insiders, will host its first virtual town hall on…

buff.ly

1 11 22

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 5d

Ahead of Banned Books Week, we put together a quick fact sheet for you. Being informed makes you a more effective advocate. Check it out & bring this info to municipal meetings, elected officials, & candidates

MA Banned Books Week 2025 — FAQ

MA Banned Books Week 2025 -- FAQ Sheet October 5th - 11th, 2025 https://bannedbooksweek.org/ About: Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges…

docs.google.com

2

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Porter Square Books in Cambridge & Boston @portersqbooks.bsky.social · 6d

Stop in to help pass right to read legislation! And make sure to follow @massaabb.bsky.social for updates & info about protecting freedom of expression in MA.

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 6d

Our postcard station @portersqbooks.bsky.social is set up! Just pop in, fill out a postcard to support Right to Read legislation in MA using the provided resources, & leave it with the Booksellers. We'll take care of mailing it in!

Let Freedom Read postcard station. There is a flyer with more details, postcards to fill out, and a QR code to help you find your State Legislator.

4 7

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 6d

Our postcard station @portersqbooks.bsky.social is set up! Just pop in, fill out a postcard to support Right to Read legislation in MA using the provided resources, & leave it with the Booksellers. We'll take care of mailing it in!

4 6

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Matthew Noe @noethematt.bsky.social · 6d

Second, we've partnered up with @massaabb.bsky.social to host a read-in and postcard writing campaign from 2 to 4 pm!

Come have a snack, grab a challenged book, and let your legislators know you won't stand for book bans in Massachusetts (or beyond)!

mywpl.libnet.info/event/14690008

3/

Cookies, Coffee & Controversy

Celebrate Banned Books Week! Browse a selection of banned books, join us for a read-in with light refreshments, write a postcard to your legislator, and screen print a tote bag to take home.

mywpl.libnet.info

1 1 6

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 6d

1/3 Quick thread & a nationwide action! The Department of Education has launched the America 250 Civics Coalition & some of the worst book banners are part of the coalition. You can see the formal announcement from the Department of Ed here:

U.S. Department of Education, AFPI, TPUSA, Hillsdale College, and Over 40 National and State Organizations Launch America 250 Civics Coalition

The U.S. Department of Education, alongside the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 40 leading national and state-based organizations today announced th...

www.ed.gov

1 18 16

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 6d

Banned Books Week starts next week & there are a ton of events happening all around Massachusetts. Find one near you here:

Banned Books Week 2025 — Mass Freedom To Read

During Banned Books Week 2025, take action to support the freedom to read by joining your community at one of these events! Click through for more details.

www.massfreedomtoread.org

2 2

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 6d

Banned Books Week starts next week & there are a ton of events happening all around Massachusetts. Find one near you here:

Banned Books Week 2025 — Mass Freedom To Read

During Banned Books Week 2025, take action to support the freedom to read by joining your community at one of these events! Click through for more details.

www.massfreedomtoread.org

2 2

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 8d

Tonight! Join us @portersqbooks.bsky.social in Cambridge at 7PM for a presentation & workshop in support of Mass's An Act Regarding Free Expression. RSVPs (which are very helpful) and more info here:

Be the Change Workshop: Act to Support the Freedom to Read

Join members of the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition, including Authors Against Book Bans and Beacon Press to learn about this new legislation, and take action during the workshop by writing postcards to legislators to encourage them to pass this law.

portersquarebooks.com

3 2

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Malinda Lo @malindalo.bsky.social · 9d

I will be there with @danaalisonlevy.bsky.social @ellyswartzbooks.bsky.social @beaconpress.bsky.social @massaabb.bsky.social to tell you about An Act Regarding Free Expression, currently under consideration in the MA legislature, and tools to contact your reps portersquarebooks.com/event/2025-0...

Be the Change Workshop: Act to Support the Freedom to Read

portersquarebooks.com

3 4

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 8d

Legislation to protect the right to read in Mass has been in progress for THREE YEARS. Help push it over the line by sending postcards to your state representatives

Take Action — Mass Freedom To Read

Legislators are more likely to pay attention to authentic, personal stories. Share why free expression matters to you, your community, or your profession, following our guidelines below.

www.massfreedomtoread.org

9 10

Reposted by Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Malinda Lo @malindalo.bsky.social · 9d

Boston area folks who care about the freedom to read: Tomorrow, Tuesday 9/30 at 7 pm, come to @portersqbooks.bsky.social Cambridge for a workshop on how YOU can support legislation to protect libraries, schools, and authors in Massachusetts portersquarebooks.com/event/2025-0... #bannedbooks

1 10 17

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans @massaabb.bsky.social · 12d

Hey #Massachusetts #Bluesky Tell us your story about book challenges or bans, what the freedom to read means to you, or how much you love your librarians. By sharing your story, you help us build a stronger movement to defend every person’s freedom to read.

Share Your Story — Mass Freedom To Read

We want to hear how book bans and censorship have affect you and your community in Massachusetts.

www.massfreedomtoread.org

6 2