The Banned Book Club meets the last Thursday of the month at 12:30 to 1:30 pm. The featured book for June, in observance of LGBTQA+ Pride Month, is the YA novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Las Cruces born, Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Mexican American teenagers Aristotle Mendoza and Dante Quintana explore their friendship while struggling with racial and ethnic identity and family relationships in 1987, El Paso Texas. The book was banned by numerous libraries and schools across the United States for depictions of homosexuality and references to drugs and sex. 

Physical copies can be checked out on a first come first served basis at the reference desk. You can access e-reader and audiobook copies through the libraries Libby and Hoopla apps. Call the reference desk for assistance 575-528-4005. The 2023 motion picture directed by Aitch Alberto and starring Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Veronica Falcón is available to stream and download for free using the Hoopla app. Watch the film's trailer HERE.

Join the discussion in person in the Staff Meeting room or via Zoom link:

Join the BOOK CLUB discussion in person in the Staff Meeting room or via Zoom link:

Copy and paste this link into your browser:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83506903414?pwd=sVu2wfwli7YDCx4VksEXcS9r683RGB.1

Meeting ID 835 0690 3414

Password: banned

Thanks for your interest and we hope to see you there! 

Questions? Contact adelcampo@lascruces.gov