The freedom to read doesn’t exist without the freedom to write
Since summer 2025, I've been working with Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans and the Mass Freedom to Read coalition to advocate for the passage of An Act Regarding Free Expression, which is Massachusetts' freedom to read bill. It finally passed in August 2026. This is the story of how it happened and some of the lessons I’ve learned from my experience.
Checking in on queer books this Pride month
Several recent articles have reported on how the current crisis of censorship in the US has made publishing LGBTQ+ books much more difficult. I don't doubt this, but I also want to offer a slightly different take on the current situation — one that brings in the broader historical context.
An update in the fight for freedom of expression
Last month, I participated in the Mass Freedom to Read Advocacy Day at the State House in Boston, where members of our coalition met with legislators to try to push our freedom to read legislation forward.
Telegraph Club Considered for Possible Statewide Ban in South Carolina
I recently learned that my novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club, along with nine other books, has been challenged at the state level in South Carolina.
Banned Books Update: New Year, More Censorship
Since 2021 and as of today, Feb. 4, 2025, six of my seven novels and two anthologies including my work have been censored in 96 cases across 20 states.
Banned Books Week 2024 — Still Getting Banned!
My novels continue to be banned, challenged, or restricted at a steady pace.
Book Bans Go Statewide (June 2024 Updates)
Since my March 2024 update, I’ve noticed there are fewer cases in which individual school districts are banning lists of specific books. Instead, more statewide laws are being passed that are so vague and overarching that they’re likely to lead school districts to ban hundreds or thousands of books at a time.
My Books Keep Getting Banned (An Update)
Back in October, I wrote a detailed post on how the national wave of book banning has targeted my books. For a couple of months afterward, I posted updates on instagram, but since December I haven't had the chance to do any more updates ... until now. I've been keeping a list, folks, and it's not very nice.
I'm a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state of Iowa's 2023 book banning law
Yesterday, I joined my publisher, Penguin Random House; the Iowa State Education Association; authors Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, and Jodi Picoult; three Iowa educators; and an Iowa high school student and parent in filing a lawsuit against the state of Iowa and challenging Senate File 496, which was enacted in May 2023.