Rogue Librarians

Rogue Librarians
  • 4.6 (11)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Since 2021, an unprecedented number of Young Adult books, especially ones with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters, have been removed from libraries across the country. In this podcast, our mission is to provide clarity and context during this period of record-breaking book challenges by discussing banned books. Please join us for our conversations! Books are meant to be read.

  1. 3d ago

    81. The Handmaid's Tale (Part 1: Why It's Banned)

    Welcome to season 5 of The Rogue Librarians!  We are opening with a discussion of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.  Published in 1986, this dystopian tale of a religious revolution in the U.S. only seems to get more relevant with time. In Part 1 we learn a little about the history of the book and of course, why it’s been banned.  We are joined by a special guest, Rogue name Undine, who brings insight and art history to the conversation.   Materials discussed during the podcast include: In Banned Bits:  Article Why This School District Used A.I. to Help Determine Which Books to Ban, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Aug 2023. In Why It’s Banned:   Article  Why The Handmaid's Tale was banned from schools - The Mirror US, 10 Apr 2025  Article Why was The Handmaid's Tale banned?, MSN.com, 22 Mar 2026 Article  There’s a simple reason The Handmaid’s Tale was banned in the US, from the website Dexerto 10 Apr 2025 The ALA’s Censorship Search Portal | Banned Books  In Context Blog Post The Handmaid's Tale: 10 intriguing facts about Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, CBC-Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), Apr 26, 2017   No Balm in Gilead for Margaret Atwood, The New York Times on the Web, Books column, February 17, 1986 Web page Timeline of Legal History of Women in the United States, National Women’s History Alliance,  Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation, 2023 Project 2025 Explained, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Utah Philips, Folksinger, Storyteller and Activist.  Decree 770 - Reference.org  Paintings Depicting the Rape of the Sabine Women Pietro da Cortona, Rape of the Sabines, 1629-1630 Nicolas Poussin, The Rape of the Sabine Women, 1635 Peter Paul Rubins, The Rape of the Sabine Women, 1640 Jacques-Louis David, The Intervention of The Sabine Women, 1799 Pablo Picasso, The Rape of the Sabines, 1962 Friedrich Christof Steinhammer, Rape of the Sabine Women, 1622 Album - Sabine Women, 271+ Images Related Media Movie The Handmaid’s Tale directed by Volker Schlöndorff, 1990 Opera The Handmaid’s Tale, written by , Poul Ruders, alongside librettist, Paul Bentley, 2000 TV Series The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu, 2017-2025 The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel, adapted by Renée Nault, 2019 Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The Handmaid’s Tale, 2022 Join the conversation at therogelibrarians.com or follow @RogueLibrariansPod on Instagram and Facebook. You can support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/roguelibrarians.  “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” — Isaac Asimov

  2. Season 5 Trailer

    Season 5 Preview

    Welcome to Season 5 of the Rogue Librarians.  We are excited to announce the starting line-up for the season. Upcoming books include: The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood Slaughterhouse 5, by Kurt Vonnegut Persepolis, by Marjane S I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez  For Banned Books Week we will release lots of special discussions during the month of October, including:  Banned Together, by Elana K. Arnold and Ashley Hope Perez, with special guest Elana K. Arnold. The Library Book, by Susan Orlean, with special guest Sam Helmick The Astral Library by Kate Quinn. We hope you’ll join us.

  3. Aug 16 ·  Bonus

    80. Interview with Ray Stoeve, Author of "Worst Case Scenario"

    In this episode, we interview author Ray Stoeve about their latest book 'Worst Case Scenario' and discuss their work on trans and non-binary youth literature, including a valuable master list of books by and about trans characters. Join us as we explore the importance of diverse voices in literature and the resources available for advocating against censorship. You can find Ray on socials at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raystoeve/       Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raystoeve  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RayStoeve  Bluesky: @ raystoeve Or on Ray’s website which includes: The Masterlist of young adult and middle grade fiction titles written by trans and/or nonbinary authors that include trans and/or nonbinary characters. Links to all of Ray’s books:     Worst Case Scenario The Summer Love Strategy Arden Gray Between Perfect and Real  And the compilation Take the Mic Other books we discussed include: (trans books) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson Half Magic and Knight’s Castle by Edward Eager Tamora Pierce, who has written so many great books. (We suggest you start with Alanna: The First Adventure) The Alice Series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Alice Series Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters If you’re interested in hearing more about trans authors and books, you might enjoy the following episodes of Rogue Librarians: Episode 1. Gender Queer (Part 1: Why It’s Banned) Episode 2. Gender Queer (Part 2: Close Reading) Episode 12. All Boys Aren’t Blue (Part 1: Why It’s Banned) Episode 13. All Boys Aren’t Blue (Part 2: Close Reading) Episode 27. This Book is Gay (Part 1: Why It’s Banned) Episode 28. This Book is Gay (Part 2: Close Reading) Episode 70. Cemetery Boys (Part 1: Why It’s Banned) Episode 71. Cemetery Boys (Part 2: Close Reading) Join the conversation at therogelibrarians.com or follow @RogueLibrariansPod on Instagram Facebook or Blue Sky. You can support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/roguelibrarians.  “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” — Isaac Asimov

  4. Jul 30

    79. The Bluest Eye (Part 2: Close Reading)

    In this episode, Dorothy and Marian delve into Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye,' exploring themes of beauty, self-worth, racism, and societal pressures through a detailed analysis of the characters and narrative structure. Works Cited: “ Why ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison is a Must-Read: Unpacking Its Depth and Impact - Beyond Pop Culture”  Join the conversation at therogelibrarians.com or follow @RogueLibrariansPod on Instagram Facebook or Blue Sky. You can support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/roguelibrarians.  “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” — Isaac Asimov

  5. Jul 13

    78. The Bluest Eye (Part 1: Why It's Banned)

    In this episode of Rogue Librarians, Marion and Dorothy return to the mic and dive into Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye—a frequently challenged and frequently misunderstood novel. This is Part One of their discussion, focused on the reasons the book has been banned and the context readers need before diving into the text itself. They provide historical and literary context for Morrison’s debut novel, including the impact of Dick and Jane basal readers, beauty standards in the 1940s, and the broader social realities shaping Pecola Breedlove’s world.  The hosts explore why the book has been challenged so often, what makes it such an important work, and why difficult books still matter in classrooms, libraries, and public discourse. This is Part One of their discussion, focused on the reasons the book has been banned and the context readers need before diving into the text itself. The Banned Bits segment came from the Knoxville News Sentinel's article “Knox County Schools bans historical novel 'Roots' by Alex Haley” Research for this episode includes: BANNED: The Bluest Eye | American Experience | Official Site | PBS  Martha Harris for KUER 90.1, Utah’s school book ban list passes 30 titles with Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ Marshall University Library’s Banned Books 2025 - The Bluest Eye Book Riot’s Utah Bans Four More Books, Bringing Total to 32 The New York Times’ 'Oh, Jane, See How Popular We Are' America Comes Alive’s Dick and Jane: Story of These Early Readers Education Week’s What Is a Basal Reader, And Why Are They Controversial?  Howard University School of Law’s A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States: Reconstruction and Jim Crow Eras  Beyond Pop Culture’s Why ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison is a Must-Read: Unpacking Its Depth and Impact Join the conversation at therogelibrarians.com or follow @RogueLibrariansPod on Instagram and Facebook. You can support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/roguelibrarians.  “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” — Isaac Asimov

  6. Mar 4

    77. Picture Books "Ogilvy" and "Worm Loves Worm": Why They're Banned and Close Readings

    Join us for our silliest conversation yet, goodness knows we needed a good laugh.  Today we read and discuss two delightful picture books.   Ogilvy was written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by T.L. McBeth, and was published in 2019.  It received a starred review in Kirkus, and positive reviews in Publishers Weekly, Horn Book, and Booklist.   Worm Loves Worm, written by J.J. Austrian and illustrated by Mike Curato (who wrote Flamer which this pod covered in Season 2, episodes 25-26). It was published in 2016.  It received a starred Review from Publishers Weekly, and positive reviews from School Library Journal, and Horn Book. As happens during a spontaneous conversation, Dorothy referenced a few things she couldn't remember the names of. Both of those are listed below. .   Podcast: SciShow Tangents:Gay Animals - with Field Guide to Gay Animals! Movie: Trainwreck (2015), starring Amy Schumer

  7. Feb 19 ·  Bonus

    76. Interview With Debby Show, Author of "Paper Roses"

    Join us for a fascinating and enlightening conversation with debut author Debby Show as she discusses her book, Paper Roses. The book explores Show’s real history and intimate truths as she grapples with the effects of generational trauma and with her experiences as the sister, and victim, of a rather infamous public figure. That said, this is not a book about her sister’s exploits; instead, it explores their mutual family history – through several viewpoints – and traces how trauma can leave a lasting legacy.  The story has been fictionalized, but the emotions it evokes bear the weight of deeper truths. You can reach Debby Show at t0r0sebud@gmail.com, or through her website at  debbyshow.com Some of the books we mention on the podcast include:   The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Stone Soup, by Marcia Brown The Nancy Drew Series, by Carolyn Keene The Bobbsey Twins Series, by Laura Lee Hope Maus I and Maus II, by Art Spiegelman  (and here is a link to our episodes:Maus Part 1 (Why It’s Banned) and  Maus Part 2 (Close Reading).

  8. Feb 5 ·  Bonus

    75. Interview With Heather Hester, Host of More Human. More Kind.

    Today we talked to author and podcast host, Heather Hester.  Heather is the host of the podcast More Human. More Kind. and the author of Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen.  As a speaker, author, coach, and LGBTQ+ advocate, she helps parents, allies, and organizations move from fear to fierce, informed love with clarity, compassion, and courage. She believes in the magic of connection and that kindness and belonging aren’t just a feeling, they’re a practice. You can find out more about her podcast at morehumanmorekind.com and more about the many ways she advocates for the LGTBQ+ community @ heatherhester.net  Books we discussed on the podcast include:   The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles, by Julie Andrews Edwards Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, by Robert C. O’Brien The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness Anything by the author Emily Henry I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai

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About

Since 2021, an unprecedented number of Young Adult books, especially ones with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters, have been removed from libraries across the country. In this podcast, our mission is to provide clarity and context during this period of record-breaking book challenges by discussing banned books. Please join us for our conversations! Books are meant to be read.

Information

  • Creator
    Rogue Librarians
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rogue Librarians
  • Show Website
    Rogue Librarians

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