Why Banned Books Week Matters

book/shop, etc. opened its doors inside the former Downtown Book & Toy at 125 E. High St. with more than a new name. It opened with a vision — to reimagine what a bookstore can be for Jefferson City: a love letter to community, rooted in the belief that books are bridges and stories can change lives.

For me, that vision is deeply personal. Books have always been how I made sense of the world. They’ve been mirrors when I needed to see myself, and windows when I needed to understand someone else. That’s what I want this store to be for Jefferson City.

This October, we’ll step into our first major national observance: Banned Books Week (October 5–11).

Throughout the week, book/shop, etc. will showcase banned and challenged titles, invite visitors to add their voices to a Freedom to Read installation, and welcome the community with special hours and events.

Across the country, books are being pulled from classrooms and libraries at record rates — often the very books that give voice to marginalized communities. For me, spotlighting them isn’t just an act of resistance; it’s an act of care.

When books are banned, communities are robbed of empathy. We lose the chance to see ourselves in others, and to be changed by their truth. At book/shop, etc., we believe stories are bridges, and every bridge should remain open. No story should be silenced, and no reader should be denied the right to find themselves in a book. We’re here to remind Jefferson City that stories are how we become more human.

Banned Books Week is our debut statement, but I hope it signals something bigger: that this historic bookstore space has been reborn as a home for conversation, connection, and belonging.

We’re not afraid of hard stories. We believe they are the very ones that can change us, and maybe even heal us.

This week, we’re not just commemorating Banned Books Week. We’re celebrating belonging. Here's what that looks like: 

SUNDAY, OCT 5 — OPENING DAY
Kick off Banned Books Week with storewide savings and the unveiling of our Freedom to Read Wall — a collaborative art installation where the community can share the stories that shaped them. Sponsored in part by Carrie's Hallmark Shop.

MONDAY, OCT 6 — LEAVE YOUR LABEL
Inspired by The Scarlet Letter, this reflection activity invites you to release the labels and judgments you’ve carried and reclaim the right to define yourself. Quiet, simple, powerful.

TUESDAY, OCT 7 — SILENT BOOK CLUB + COMMUNITY ACTION
We’ll gather for a night of quiet reading and collective solidarity. Bring your book, settle in, and share space with others. Together, we’ll reflect on the power of banned stories and other causes that remind us our voices matter.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 8 — BLIND DATE WITH A BANNED BOOK
Take a chance on a story once kept from readers. Wrapped in paper, these books are a mystery until you read the teaser and take one home. A little rebellious, a little romantic, and a perfect midweek escape.

THURSDAY, OCT 9 — BEDAZZLE THE BANNED
Once-censored stories, now turned into art. We’ll reimagine banned book covers with bold creativity. Tickets are $30 and available in advance. Space is limited for this hands-on night of protest-meets-play.

FRIDAY, OCT 10 — TAROT + BANNED BOOKS
Afternoon tarot readings meet banned books in a reflective experience exploring the personal and collective power of stories. Suggested donation: $10–20.

SATURDAY, OCT 11 — BANNED BOOKS STORY HOUR
Celebrate Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are with a lively read-aloud, kid-friendly craft, and a “Wild Rumpus” parade through the store. 

ALL WEEK — DOWNTOWN BANNED BOOKS CRAWL
Sip, shop, and celebrate. Local restaurants and cafés are joining in with specials inspired by banned books. Explore downtown and taste stories in new ways.

This week is more than events, it’s a movement. Join us October 5–11 to stand for stories, celebrate community, and remind the world that no voice should be silenced. Plan your week, bring a friend, and let’s make some noise for the freedom to read.