Every October, Banned Books Week reminds us that the fight for free expression and the freedom to read isn’t something of the past—it is very much alive, very much local, and very much at risk. No more so have we felt that than in 2025.
What’s going on in the UK right now
In Kent, a Reform UK–led council recently announced that it would remove “trans-related” books from the children’s sections of all its libraries. The spark was a complaint from a member of the public who claimed that there was “trans-ideological” material being displayed among books aimed at children.
Kent Council claims this move is about “child protection” and says its aim is to ensure that only age-appropriate material is placed in children’s sections.
But here’s what’s worrying:
- Many people feel this is censorship by proxy, using vague language like “trans-ideological” or “not appropriate for children” to stigmatize a whole community.
- The announcement was made on social media, not through the usual democratic or consultative channels.
- Library workers, authors, and activists are warning about the chilling message this sends to young trans or non-binary people—of being excluded, of being unwelcome, of having parts of their identity deemed unsafe or inappropriate.
Leading the fightback locally was the Indie Bookshops – Erin Strawbridge, the manager of the Folkestone Bookshop, an LGBTQ+ bookstore, told BBC Radio Kent: “Censorship does not stop people from learning information, but it does send the message, and it’s sending a message to the young people of Kent that they’re not safe and they’re not welcome if they’re LGBT or trans. It just pushes kids into the closet, into worse mental health situations. It’s just going to scare young people.”
Why this matters
Censorship—even when it doesn’t result in formal bans—creates invisibility. It sends a message: there are ideas you must hide. Books are not just entertainment; they are crucial mirrors and windows. They let us see ourselves and others; they help us question, learn, feel less alone. When books about a minority among us are pulled or shifted out of reach, we all lose something.
Banned Books Week isn’t just about books that were once burned, prosecuted, or legally banned. It’s about tying those stories to what’s happening now: about standing up when content is challenged, when books are moved or hidden, or when “age-appropriateness” is used as a cloak for ideology or exclusion.
What you can do (yes, you can make a difference)
- Read and buy books by authors whose work is / has or is at threat of being banned!
- Support local bookshops and libraries. When they stall or resist attempts at censorship, its normally your indie bookshop that leads the fight against censorship, this was true in Kent recently.
- Speak up. Write to your local politician (even if they don’t reply). Share on social media. Attend events/ meetings. Express that you believe in free access to diverse literature.
- Celebrate Banned Books Week. Join events, promote displays of books that have been challenged, share your favourites. The more people are aware, the less invisible this issue becomes.
What we believe at The Curious Cat Bookshop
Here in the shop, we believe that every reader deserves access to a broad, inclusive range of stories—no matter who they are. We believe censorship is not a stranger’s future, but something that creeps in when we’re not watching. And we believe our bookshelves should welcome everyone.
Recently this year we had a couple visit the bookshop who advised they found one of our Books “Offensive” and that we should remove it. When we explained that the Book itself wasn’t offensive but that they had taken offence we were told we should remove said offending book (a retelling of Greek Classics from a Feminist Point Of View). This type of removal of Literature because if offends people is a slippery slope where we no longer accept ideas, dicussions or debates that do not fit our echo chambers.
At The Curious Cat Bookshop, we won’t quietly accept censorship. Instead, we’re choosing to do the opposite: to give these “banned” and “challenged” books a louder voice.
Throughout Banned Books Week (and beyond), we’ll be stocking, displaying, and promoting books that have been banned, challenged, or are currently under threat of being removed from shelves. Because the best response to censorship is not silence—it’s to read louder, share wider, and celebrate the stories that someone, somewhere, doesn’t want you to see.
Come and defy censorship with us.
