Joelle Charbonneau
@joellecharbonneau.bsky.social
NY Times Best selling author, mom & hobbyist chef. Lover of climbing. Fierce defender of the right to read. Determined to fight book bans. My dystopian novels VERIFY & DISCLOSE were supposed to be warnings not suggestions. And I'm a Cubs fan.
Pinned
Book banning is about gaining power over what ideas & information are exchanged. Keeping power is easy then because your version of the truth is the only one people know. They forget how to question. The gov't I created in VERIFY & DISCLOSE removed words & books and most people weren't concerned.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."
December 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
Abilene ISD's library advisory committee provided some good news recently, voting to retain 10 frequently banned books, including The Bluest Eye, The Poet X, The Glass Castle, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Their conversation will nourish your soul. open.substack.com/pub/franklin...
Good SLAC, Bad SLAC.
The library advisory committees formed by SB13 are a bad idea, but Abilene ISD just showed how to do it right.
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Abilene ISD's library advisory committee provided some good news recently, voting to retain 10 frequently banned books, including The Bluest Eye, The Poet X, The Glass Castle, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Their conversation will nourish your soul. open.substack.com/pub/franklin...
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
MK and I cherish the time that we got to spend with Rob and Michele Reiner — we were devastated to learn of their passing.
Titans of the industry in every sense, the Reiners' legacy is secured through works of art that impacted generations.
May their memories be a blessing.
Titans of the industry in every sense, the Reiners' legacy is secured through works of art that impacted generations.
May their memories be a blessing.
December 15, 2025 at 4:44 AM
MK and I cherish the time that we got to spend with Rob and Michele Reiner — we were devastated to learn of their passing.
Titans of the industry in every sense, the Reiners' legacy is secured through works of art that impacted generations.
May their memories be a blessing.
Titans of the industry in every sense, the Reiners' legacy is secured through works of art that impacted generations.
May their memories be a blessing.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
I sold my books at a holiday market today and I can't tell you how many people I talked to who said they wished they read more (or any) books and I am begging everyone to read more books. You don't even have to buy them. Just go to the library. It will be so good for your brain.
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 AM
I sold my books at a holiday market today and I can't tell you how many people I talked to who said they wished they read more (or any) books and I am begging everyone to read more books. You don't even have to buy them. Just go to the library. It will be so good for your brain.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
Make sure to put AABB merch on your holiday list this year! You'll help support the freedom to read AND avoid getting yet another pack of tube socks.*
*Ok, we can't gurantee that 2nd part, but the 1st part is still legit & we do have some great merch.
*Ok, we can't gurantee that 2nd part, but the 1st part is still legit & we do have some great merch.
Authors Against Book Bans
Official AABB Merch. Perfect to wear while fighting book bans. Great for school board meetings, conferences, marching for our rights, and annoying THAT neighbor. (You know the one.) Show off your love...
www.customink.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Make sure to put AABB merch on your holiday list this year! You'll help support the freedom to read AND avoid getting yet another pack of tube socks.*
*Ok, we can't gurantee that 2nd part, but the 1st part is still legit & we do have some great merch.
*Ok, we can't gurantee that 2nd part, but the 1st part is still legit & we do have some great merch.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
***IMPORTANT THREAD*****
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
What's Happening in York County Library (SC) Should Be A Wakeup Call
Poor recording keeping, debates over what was or was not said and voted on, and special interests plague more than just this library system.
bookriot.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
***IMPORTANT THREAD*****
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
December 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Proud that my state is stepping up to protect the people who live here.
Today, I've signed into law legislation that expands legal protections for the people of Illinois.
Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending classes should not be a life-altering task.
We will counter the Trump Administration's depravity.
Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending classes should not be a life-altering task.
We will counter the Trump Administration's depravity.
December 10, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Proud that my state is stepping up to protect the people who live here.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
My new podcast "Burn Order" is about the decision to incarcerate tens of thousands of Japanese-American families during World War II, and the remarkable fight against it.
Episodes #1-4 are up now... free on any podcast app.
Final two episodes post Monday 12/15:
podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast/r...
Episodes #1-4 are up now... free on any podcast app.
Final two episodes post Monday 12/15:
podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast/r...
Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order
News Podcast · Series ·
podcasts.apple.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
My new podcast "Burn Order" is about the decision to incarcerate tens of thousands of Japanese-American families during World War II, and the remarkable fight against it.
Episodes #1-4 are up now... free on any podcast app.
Final two episodes post Monday 12/15:
podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast/r...
Episodes #1-4 are up now... free on any podcast app.
Final two episodes post Monday 12/15:
podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast/r...
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
How to support the freedom to read and anti-book ban advocacy through holiday giving. A roundup of over 10 ideas that include more than buying banned books–this is the "and" part that follows: bookriot.com/gifting-with...
How to Support Anti Book Censorship Work Through Holiday Giving: Book Censorship News, December 5, 2025
In addition to gifting a banned book, what can you do to help someone get excited and engaged in the fight for the freedom to read?
bookriot.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
How to support the freedom to read and anti-book ban advocacy through holiday giving. A roundup of over 10 ideas that include more than buying banned books–this is the "and" part that follows: bookriot.com/gifting-with...
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Vital Cat Update
It’s time to talk about my cat. To which you might be saying, “Chuck, I didn’t know you had a cat!” and I’d respond with, “I didn’t know I had a cat either…
terribleminds.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
New extortion scam email going round (this was received via a writer's website contact form). I've seen a number of these recently but without the money demand; the translation angle is also a new one
December 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
New extortion scam email going round (this was received via a writer's website contact form). I've seen a number of these recently but without the money demand; the translation angle is also a new one
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
📚 🦸🏻♀️RUTHERFORD COUNTY — “Go and thank your librarian. Absolute heroes.”
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
December 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
📚 🦸🏻♀️RUTHERFORD COUNTY — “Go and thank your librarian. Absolute heroes.”
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
This!
For people who think book banning isn't a big deal because even if they're not available in libraries and schools, you can still buy them--this is an elitist argument. Most kids ONLY have access to books from their library. Libraries ensure info access for all. Libraries are vital in democracies.
It's not a badge of honor when books get banned. It stinks for everyone. For the book creators, who worked hard to create something special that now won't be shared. The kids who miss out. The librarians and teachers who are treated like criminals. And taxpayers who have to pay for this nonsense.
December 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This!
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
RIGHT THE FUCK NOW, Dems should have people on the ground all across rural America holding town halls and speaking directly to farmers about what tariffs are doing to them. They know they are hurting, but most of them don’t or won’t blame the asshole who has done this to them.
Dems invest NOTHING
Dems invest NOTHING
December 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
RIGHT THE FUCK NOW, Dems should have people on the ground all across rural America holding town halls and speaking directly to farmers about what tariffs are doing to them. They know they are hurting, but most of them don’t or won’t blame the asshole who has done this to them.
Dems invest NOTHING
Dems invest NOTHING
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
Over 200 authors will be Zooming into classrooms & libraries for World Read Aloud Day on 2/4!
Teachers/librarians - Want to be first to see the list so you can book a free visit? It'll go out in my email newsletter in early December! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
Teachers/librarians - Want to be first to see the list so you can book a free visit? It'll go out in my email newsletter in early December! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
November 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Over 200 authors will be Zooming into classrooms & libraries for World Read Aloud Day on 2/4!
Teachers/librarians - Want to be first to see the list so you can book a free visit? It'll go out in my email newsletter in early December! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
Teachers/librarians - Want to be first to see the list so you can book a free visit? It'll go out in my email newsletter in early December! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
This!
Hi. If you are a Democrat taking anything else out of tonight’s results in TN other than it’s a big hopeful sign and we should all be working our asses off to recruit in all of the House seats we can then I have no time for you. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
December 3, 2025 at 3:19 AM
This!
Excited to see democrats making huge gains in republican held districts. Hoping @kyleforillinois.bsky.social will do the same next year against Rep. Mary Miller (yes, she's the one who famously said Hitler had good ideas) in the IL 15th. She ran unopposed the last time. This time, it'll be a fight!
December 3, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Excited to see democrats making huge gains in republican held districts. Hoping @kyleforillinois.bsky.social will do the same next year against Rep. Mary Miller (yes, she's the one who famously said Hitler had good ideas) in the IL 15th. She ran unopposed the last time. This time, it'll be a fight!
Curious where the outstanding vote for the special election in TN is and if the gap will become lower single digits.
December 3, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Curious where the outstanding vote for the special election in TN is and if the gap will become lower single digits.
Why yes, I am relentlessly refreshing the @thetnholler.bsky.social feed to get TN 7 special election results. Cheering on @aftynbehn.bsky.social from Illinois.
December 3, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Why yes, I am relentlessly refreshing the @thetnholler.bsky.social feed to get TN 7 special election results. Cheering on @aftynbehn.bsky.social from Illinois.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday to make Illinois the first state to issue vaccine recommendations independent of the CDC. Democrats believe Illinois should ensure healthcare regardless of decisions made by the federal government.
Illinois becomes first state to issue vaccine recommendations separate from CDC
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday to make Illinois the first state to issue vaccine recommendations independent of the CDC.
www.wandtv.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday to make Illinois the first state to issue vaccine recommendations independent of the CDC. Democrats believe Illinois should ensure healthcare regardless of decisions made by the federal government.
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
Book banning may seem like the new normal. But at PEN America, we're fighting back—partnering with students, parents, teachers, librarians and like-minded organizations to protect the freedom to read. This #GivingTuesday, help us keep books where they belong: in the hands of students: pen.org/GT25BS
December 2, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Book banning may seem like the new normal. But at PEN America, we're fighting back—partnering with students, parents, teachers, librarians and like-minded organizations to protect the freedom to read. This #GivingTuesday, help us keep books where they belong: in the hands of students: pen.org/GT25BS
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL WORK TO EARN YOUR VOTE
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL WORK TO EARN YOUR VOTE
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
Reposted by Joelle Charbonneau
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...