kelly jensen
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social
Senior Editor at Book Riot. Editor/Author of BODY TALK, HERE WE ARE, + (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY. Former librarian. Anti-censorship advocate. Yoga teacher. Your favorite infernal witch. She/her. Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2024.
Pinned
kelly jensen
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social
· Nov 10
A massive thread of resources, history, information, and material to help you not only fight and understand book censorship but protect the incredible democratic institutions of public libraries and public education.
This is updated regularly!
This is updated regularly!
Reposted by kelly jensen
CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.
December 1, 2025 at 8:19 PM
CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.
Reposted by kelly jensen
Does anyone here do freelance indexing, or know someone who does? I've got a manuscript that needs an experienced indexer with a relatively quick turnaround. Message me here and we can talk details.
December 1, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Does anyone here do freelance indexing, or know someone who does? I've got a manuscript that needs an experienced indexer with a relatively quick turnaround. Message me here and we can talk details.
I got the kindest message from a student at the school who says–to no one's surprise–the kids are unhappy and want this board out.
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Which Parents Get "Parental Rights?" In This Ohio School, It's Those Who Hate LGBTQ+ People
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District has segregated LGBTQ+ books in the high school library, among other acts of book censorship.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I got the kindest message from a student at the school who says–to no one's surprise–the kids are unhappy and want this board out.
Reposted by kelly jensen
This school board enacted book bans, classroom curriculum censorship, and library restrictions despite none of those being necessary with new Ohio "Parental Rights" legislation. Students are automatically opted-OUT of material.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Which Parents Get "Parental Rights?" In This Ohio School, It's Those Who Hate LGBTQ+ People
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District has segregated LGBTQ+ books in the high school library, among other acts of book censorship.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM
This school board enacted book bans, classroom curriculum censorship, and library restrictions despite none of those being necessary with new Ohio "Parental Rights" legislation. Students are automatically opted-OUT of material.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
I'm the fuck over snow and it's December 1.
December 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I'm the fuck over snow and it's December 1.
Reposted by kelly jensen
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Which Parents Get "Parental Rights?" In This Ohio School, It's Those Who Hate LGBTQ+ People
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District has segregated LGBTQ+ books in the high school library, among other acts of book censorship.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Reposted by kelly jensen
Every year for the last several, I've put together a bookish gift guide where everything is under $30. Here's your gifts for readers on a budget guide for 2025: bookriot.com/gifts-for-re...
The Best Bookish Gifts For Under $30
Looking for the best bookish gifts for readers and you're on a budget? Check out these bookish goods for under $30.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Every year for the last several, I've put together a bookish gift guide where everything is under $30. Here's your gifts for readers on a budget guide for 2025: bookriot.com/gifts-for-re...
Reposted by kelly jensen
If anyone is curious about the current list of search terms being used by right wing activist organizations to harass university professors, here's a public records request I received today from Mike Howell of the Heritage Foundation. Not intimidating or meant to curtail by my speech at all, right?
August 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM
If anyone is curious about the current list of search terms being used by right wing activist organizations to harass university professors, here's a public records request I received today from Mike Howell of the Heritage Foundation. Not intimidating or meant to curtail by my speech at all, right?
I'm really trying not to respond to nonsense anymore because it's not worth it, but sometimes, it's necessary.
December 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I'm really trying not to respond to nonsense anymore because it's not worth it, but sometimes, it's necessary.
yeah no, it's not a reason to homeschool. it's a reason to show up to a public school board meeting and demand representation for all.
what these folks WANT is for you to homeschool and steal public taxpayer money for your private vouchers.
what these folks WANT is for you to homeschool and steal public taxpayer money for your private vouchers.
Yet another reason to homeschool.
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
December 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
yeah no, it's not a reason to homeschool. it's a reason to show up to a public school board meeting and demand representation for all.
what these folks WANT is for you to homeschool and steal public taxpayer money for your private vouchers.
what these folks WANT is for you to homeschool and steal public taxpayer money for your private vouchers.
Reposted by kelly jensen
"It’s the same narrative we see from the federal government, decreeing everything “states rights,” but now it’s states pulling their hands out and calling it “local control,” even if it’s far from what local control truly is."
via @heykellyjensen.bsky.social
📚
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
via @heykellyjensen.bsky.social
📚
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
It's Not Just Laws About Books Breaking Libraries. It's Also New Tax Reforms.
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:51 PM
"It’s the same narrative we see from the federal government, decreeing everything “states rights,” but now it’s states pulling their hands out and calling it “local control,” even if it’s far from what local control truly is."
via @heykellyjensen.bsky.social
📚
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
via @heykellyjensen.bsky.social
📚
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
This school board enacted book bans, classroom curriculum censorship, and library restrictions despite none of those being necessary with new Ohio "Parental Rights" legislation. Students are automatically opted-OUT of material.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Which Parents Get "Parental Rights?" In This Ohio School, It's Those Who Hate LGBTQ+ People
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District has segregated LGBTQ+ books in the high school library, among other acts of book censorship.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM
This school board enacted book bans, classroom curriculum censorship, and library restrictions despite none of those being necessary with new Ohio "Parental Rights" legislation. Students are automatically opted-OUT of material.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
So we know which parents have rights here: the bigoted ones.
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Which Parents Get "Parental Rights?" In This Ohio School, It's Those Who Hate LGBTQ+ People
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District has segregated LGBTQ+ books in the high school library, among other acts of book censorship.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Which parents are the ones who get "parental rights?" In Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH), it's those who want to ban books featuring any "sexuality content" or "gender ideology." Inside the school board's educationally-destructive new policy:
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
bookriot.com/bellbrook-su...
Every year for the last several, I've put together a bookish gift guide where everything is under $30. Here's your gifts for readers on a budget guide for 2025: bookriot.com/gifts-for-re...
The Best Bookish Gifts For Under $30
Looking for the best bookish gifts for readers and you're on a budget? Check out these bookish goods for under $30.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Every year for the last several, I've put together a bookish gift guide where everything is under $30. Here's your gifts for readers on a budget guide for 2025: bookriot.com/gifts-for-re...
Two posts today. One's a fun one and the other is a censorship one. Censorship one will be second and in a bit...let's start with fun though.
December 1, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Two posts today. One's a fun one and the other is a censorship one. Censorship one will be second and in a bit...let's start with fun though.
Reposted by kelly jensen
Short notice, but if anyone is served by the Irving County Library board in Texas they have a Library board meeting tomorrow Dec 1 that might discuss LGBTQ+ materials, new bylaws, & collection development policy. Time & location: irvingtx.gov/index.php?se...
Library Board | Irving, TX Official Website
irvingtx.gov
November 30, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Short notice, but if anyone is served by the Irving County Library board in Texas they have a Library board meeting tomorrow Dec 1 that might discuss LGBTQ+ materials, new bylaws, & collection development policy. Time & location: irvingtx.gov/index.php?se...
Lots of talk about algorithms and browsing this morning, so I'm dropping an essay from nearly two years ago about why we read and the ways book banning is tangled within our current algorithmic-centered internet and reading experiences.
bookriot.com/why-do-we-ev...
bookriot.com/why-do-we-ev...
Why Do We Even Read?: Book Censorship News, February 9, 2024
A frightening percentage of parents do not even know—or care—why we read books at all.
bookriot.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Lots of talk about algorithms and browsing this morning, so I'm dropping an essay from nearly two years ago about why we read and the ways book banning is tangled within our current algorithmic-centered internet and reading experiences.
bookriot.com/why-do-we-ev...
bookriot.com/why-do-we-ev...
Nonprofits *texting* me that their giving tuesday bonus deals are live is a stop too far.
November 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Nonprofits *texting* me that their giving tuesday bonus deals are live is a stop too far.
Seconding. My beloved indie <3
So many places in my neck of the woods are going to be hurting today because of the bad weather on small business Saturday.
Lynes is an amazing shop. Give 'em some business--order online, as they ship.
So many places in my neck of the woods are going to be hurting today because of the bad weather on small business Saturday.
Lynes is an amazing shop. Give 'em some business--order online, as they ship.
If anyone is looking for a bookstore to support this Small Business Saturday, may I recommend my beloved local indie Read Between the Lynes?
bookshop.org/shop/readbet...
They're going to be losing out on sales today since we're getting many inches of snow, so I know they'd appreciate a lil boost!
bookshop.org/shop/readbet...
They're going to be losing out on sales today since we're getting many inches of snow, so I know they'd appreciate a lil boost!
Read Between The Lynes Bookshop
Read Between The Lynes is YOUR hometown bookstore. We are proudly located on the Historic Woodstock Square, keeping our focus on convenience, community and you, our customers. Read Between The Lynes h...
bookshop.org
November 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Seconding. My beloved indie <3
So many places in my neck of the woods are going to be hurting today because of the bad weather on small business Saturday.
Lynes is an amazing shop. Give 'em some business--order online, as they ship.
So many places in my neck of the woods are going to be hurting today because of the bad weather on small business Saturday.
Lynes is an amazing shop. Give 'em some business--order online, as they ship.
The pitches selling BEST OFFER WINS as a thriller do a tremendous disservice to both thriller readers and people like me who don't care for thrillers because this is not a thriller. It's WEIRD and dark (& imm, darkly funny) and a sharp critique of being an elder millennial in today's world.
November 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The pitches selling BEST OFFER WINS as a thriller do a tremendous disservice to both thriller readers and people like me who don't care for thrillers because this is not a thriller. It's WEIRD and dark (& imm, darkly funny) and a sharp critique of being an elder millennial in today's world.
Flour was the only seasoning here.
Karoline Leavitt's Thanksgiving spread. Please dissect.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
November 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Flour was the only seasoning here.
I think this is the 4th or 5th district in Florida for HERE WE ARE.
Nassau has two new objections linked to the biases of neighboring Clay’s main objector.
He takes issue with Kelly Jensen’s & Stephen King’s public anti-censorship stances, and retaliates by objecting to their books. CDF in Nassau is following his lead.
nassauk12flus.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/Extern...
He takes issue with Kelly Jensen’s & Stephen King’s public anti-censorship stances, and retaliates by objecting to their books. CDF in Nassau is following his lead.
nassauk12flus.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/Extern...
November 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I think this is the 4th or 5th district in Florida for HERE WE ARE.
Yeah, I'm still seeing my books challenged and banned FOR BEING AN OUTSPOKEN ANTI-CENSORSHIP ADVOCATE.
I only wish big media gave half a shit about this kind of censorship happening. It's been happening directly to me–and thus my contributors!–for 3 years now.
Retaliatory book bans.
I only wish big media gave half a shit about this kind of censorship happening. It's been happening directly to me–and thus my contributors!–for 3 years now.
Retaliatory book bans.
Nassau has two new objections linked to the biases of neighboring Clay’s main objector.
He takes issue with Kelly Jensen’s & Stephen King’s public anti-censorship stances, and retaliates by objecting to their books. CDF in Nassau is following his lead.
nassauk12flus.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/Extern...
He takes issue with Kelly Jensen’s & Stephen King’s public anti-censorship stances, and retaliates by objecting to their books. CDF in Nassau is following his lead.
nassauk12flus.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/Extern...
November 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Yeah, I'm still seeing my books challenged and banned FOR BEING AN OUTSPOKEN ANTI-CENSORSHIP ADVOCATE.
I only wish big media gave half a shit about this kind of censorship happening. It's been happening directly to me–and thus my contributors!–for 3 years now.
Retaliatory book bans.
I only wish big media gave half a shit about this kind of censorship happening. It's been happening directly to me–and thus my contributors!–for 3 years now.
Retaliatory book bans.
I've not only unsubscribed to about 500 email lists today, I'm also about done cleaning up my Raindrop.io bookmarks and have cleaned up my Things lists, too.
I don't mind working days most others are not in the office because I get so many of these dumb but important little tasks done.
I don't mind working days most others are not in the office because I get so many of these dumb but important little tasks done.
Raindrop.io — All in One Bookmark Manager
For your inspiration, read later, media and stuff
Raindrop.io
November 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I've not only unsubscribed to about 500 email lists today, I'm also about done cleaning up my Raindrop.io bookmarks and have cleaned up my Things lists, too.
I don't mind working days most others are not in the office because I get so many of these dumb but important little tasks done.
I don't mind working days most others are not in the office because I get so many of these dumb but important little tasks done.
Reposted by kelly jensen
Explaining book bans to those eager to understand, parental beliefs on library safety, and more book censorship posts to revisit.
That, plus this week's roundup of book censorship news: bookriot.com/book-censors...
That, plus this week's roundup of book censorship news: bookriot.com/book-censors...
11 Book Censorship Posts to Revisit: Book Censorship News, November 28, 2025
Explaining book bans to those eager to understand, parental beliefs on library safety, and more book censorship posts to revisit.
bookriot.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Explaining book bans to those eager to understand, parental beliefs on library safety, and more book censorship posts to revisit.
That, plus this week's roundup of book censorship news: bookriot.com/book-censors...
That, plus this week's roundup of book censorship news: bookriot.com/book-censors...