Continuing our celebration of the Right to Read, author Jordan Castillo Price joins us with some great information as well as a great giveaway, so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter widget below.
Welcome, Jordan!
Public libraries get very involved with banned books week because raising this type of awareness and promoting dialog about the issues are so in alignment with libraries’ missions.
Many libraries would be thrilled to carry m/m titles. Several years ago, Library Journal named PsyCop: Partners as one of the ten titles librarians should consider carrying to develop their core collection of gay romance. I worked at a public library for over 10 years, so I know a little bit about the inner workings—from the mission statements and lofty ideals, to the practical and mundane. And I know that while many libraries would be happy to add these books to their collection, practical considerations often keep them from doing so.
Speaking from my own experience, I observed a few obstacles my library faced when seeking to diversify their collection.
-The books may not be carried through the distribution channels they need to buy from
-Libraries might not have space in an aging building to house a new collection
-Books about sensitive topics, including books with any sort of on-page sex, are often stolen
But don’t be discouraged. Thanks to ebook lending, titles from small or indie publishers, including m/m, can often be found via your public library. Many libraries will allow you to borrow ebooks for free. Check your library’s website or ask your reference librarian about where to access the digital collection.
My library system subscribes to Overdrive. While I found only one JCP title currently available, there is an option to recommend that the system purchase additional titles. It’s worth exploring your own library’s site and seeing if this feature is available to you too, so you can recommend their purchase as a way to advocate for the m/m genre.
About the Author
Author and artist Jordan Castillo Price writes paranormal sci-fi thrillers colored by her time in the midwest, from inner city Chicago, to rural small town Wisconsin, to liberal Madison. Her influences include Ouija boards, Return of the Living Dead, “light as a feather, stiff as a board,” girls with tattoos and boys in eyeliner.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who’s plagued by ghostly visitations. Also check out her trippy, touching series, Mnevermind, where memories are made…one client at a time.
Jordan Castillo Price monthly newsletter || Jordan’s Facebook Fanpage || Jordan’s Amazon page
The Giveway
Enter for the chance to win an audiobook copy or e-book copy of Among the Living (PsyCop: Book One)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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The Novel Approach Reviews 
I love libraries. It used to be a frequent haunting ground in childhood, and I still join the local library wherever I move. In fact, the first M/M book I read was borrowed from a library as an ebook. I hope that in the future a wider variety of books are available to everyone.
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I must recognise there are not M/M books in my town library. It is a small place, and although I’ve requested a couple of titles, it is going to be a slow process. I keep my hope up, though!
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My library also subscribes to Overdrive and they have hundreds of m/m titles available online. And I love that recommend feature!
I think my favorite banned book is To Kill a Mockingbird. Also love the movie. My kids (aged 9 & 11) recently read the book and watched the movie over the summer. Gave them a lot to think about.
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Can’t say whether I have or not read any banned books but I probably have!
I did go to our local library ebook section – only one option under gay/lesbian – John Barrowman’s autobiography.
I think some further work and requests need to go in! They use Overdrive too so I shall look if there ae options on the main site rather than my library
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I don’t know the list all that well but Catcher in the Rye is still one of my all time favorite books, and I do remember in high school there was a big issue that Slaughter-house Five was pulled from our required reading. Still a book I want to read just out of pure curiosity.
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I guess my favorite would be To Kill A Mockingbird.
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I love that such classics as Diary of Anne Frank have been banned, even the Bible! My library has a couple of mm books in paper, but is reluctant to increase the collection until they perceive there to be a demand. As a library board member I wanted to shout that not all LGBTQA individuals (me included) are comfortable coming out in a conservative town.
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OverDrive and Hoopla are both great for m/m! I always loved TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
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I forgot about Enkilibrary.org–I think several of Price’s titles are there!
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I live in a small city but I love that I can borrow digital books through a larger network thanks to Overdrive & Hoopla now. They’re adding more & more M/M titles all the time.
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