This new feature on the KAXE Morning Show, Where We’re Reading adds to our staff librarian Tammy Bobrowsky’s longtime program, What We’re Reading. We'll learn about the business of books in rural places and what the community is reading.
GRAND RAPIDS — Books can be banned for a wide variety of reasons — some stranger than others.
Holly Singer, the events manager at Wildflower Bookshop in downtown Grand Rapids, said bans often stem from unexpected concerns.
“My favorite is The Lorax,” she shared. “It’s banned because he says 'stupid' in it.”
In fact, many books that might surprise readers are currently on display in Wildflower’s banned books exhibit. Titles include Harry Potter, Charlotte’s Web and The Catcher in the Rye. Singer pointed out that Charlotte’s Web was banned due to the presence of talking animals.
“Wouldn’t that apply to many, many books?” comment Kari Hedlund, KAXE Morning Show host.
The conversation soon shifted to childhood memories of reading "adult" books long before they were deemed age-appropriate. Hedlund reminisced about reading Stephen King novels and other adult fiction at a young age.
“I remember being in elementary school, probably in second grade, and I was trying to check out a book like Fourth Grade Crush," she said. "The librarian wouldn’t let me because I wasn’t a fourth grader.”
Singer shared her own experience, recounting how she repeatedly checked out Gone with the Wind from the library in the sixth grade.
“It was my first adult book, and I remember it vividly because it was so chunky,” she said.
Similarly, host Heidi Holtan remembered reading Gone with the Wind during a family road trip and being swept up in the melodrama of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. She said she remembered feeling kind of giddy to be reading something so epic.
Spooky season at Wildflower
As fall rolls in, Wildflower Bookshop is gearing up for what they fondly call “Spooky Season.” Singer explained that it’s not just about witches and haunted houses but also thrilling mysteries and eerie stories. Among her recommendations were lighter fall reads like Pumpkin Spice Café, which she described as having “straight Gilmore Girls vibes — a cute, cozy romance and mystery.”
For fans of the supernatural, Holly recommended Bride by Allie Hazlewood, which she described as “an adult version of Twilight” with vampires, werewolves and a dash of romance. Psychological thrillers by Freedom McFadden, like The Boyfriend, were also suggested. Minnesota author Jess Lourey made the list with thrillers and detective mysteries such as The Taken Ones and The Reaping.
Singer has noticed that readers’ tastes are changing with the season.
“Now that fall has set in, people are moving away from romance and light reads, gravitating more towards big fantasy books, epics, mysteries, thrillers and horrors,” she explained.
Wildflower Bookshop has several special events planned for October, alongside an ongoing reading challenge encouraging readers to pick up a mystery, thriller or suspenseful story. On Oct. 16, Wildflower will host a Spooky Book Fair at Klockow Brewing from 4 to 7 p.m.
“It’s kind of like an adult version of a Scholastic book fair,” Singer explained, featuring books with fall vibes and spooky tales.
On Oct. 23, the shop will team up with Sota Art Co. for a Pumpkin Decorating Contest at 6 p.m. The following evening, Oct. 24, Wildflower will host an author event at Minnesota North Itasca from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Featured authors Marcie Rendon, Anthony Anselmo and Candace Simar will take part in a panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session.
Book clubs continue as well with fantasy and romance groups gathering monthly.
As always, we want to know what you are reading! And we want to know about your favorite bookstore or library!
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