Author transforms old pickup into banned bookstore: 'A rolling rebellion'

A Journey of Resistance and Rebuilding

Karie Fugett is a military widow, author, mother, and southerner. She has written a memoir titled “Alive Day,” which details her experiences as a military spouse. Born and raised in Alabama, she has a deep understanding of the inner workings of the United States military. She has witnessed what she refers to as “a war on knowledge” within her community.

In March of this year, an Alabama board voted to defund a local library under a new book ban law, removing state funds from the Fairhope branch after parents criticized the library for carrying books that depict LGBTQ+ stories. Fugett felt this decision hit close to home. She emphasized that Alabama is now considering banning books that portray trans individuals, which she finds deeply troubling. She believes that reading about different perspectives and ideas helps build empathy, something she feels is desperately needed in today’s society.

Fugett knows firsthand how censorship can impact someone's life. As a child, she was exposed to certain information by adults who thought it would be harmful. This led to beliefs that were damaging to others. It wasn’t until she attended college that she experienced a profound awakening through exposure to stories and truths beyond her own. This experience changed her life and inspired her current work.

Her current project is converting a rusty 1940 Ford pickup truck into a traveling banned bookstore called “The Banned Wagon.” Initially, she considered opening a regular bookstore, but the recent events in Fairhope inspired her to take a different approach. Her goal is to return banned and challenged books to the people who need them most, including LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized communities.

Fugett also believes that everyone needs access to books that challenge their worldview. She envisions the truck as a meeting point for workshops and events, where book discussions, open mics, and conversations about censorship can take place. These events aim to show people that these books are not as scary as some might believe.

In addition to books, Fugett plans to stock plants and antiques to create a full bookstore experience. She acknowledges that this idea is risky, especially in the South, but she sees it as necessary. She believes that the current climate of book bans makes her project even more important.

Challenges to books in schools and public libraries are increasing nationwide. According to the latest data from the American Library Association, there were 821 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2024, involving 2,452 unique titles. In schools, PEN America tracked over 10,000 instances of book bans in the 2023-2024 school year, with challenges to 4,231 unique titles. These numbers highlight the growing concern around censorship.

Fugett sees these statistics as fuel for her mission. She expressed frustration with those who think banning books in the South will prevent people from reading them. Instead, she believes it has only strengthened her resolve to fight back. Her project is more than just a personal endeavor; it is a rebellion against the war on knowledge, censorship, ignorance, apathy, and the erasure of voices and histories.

Currently, Fugett is working to raise funds to restore the truck and get the operation up and running. At the time of this writing, her GoFundMe campaign is a little over a quarter of the way to her $4,000 goal. She believes that reading diverse stories is essential for moving toward a kinder, more peaceful world. Banning books, she argues, is moving in the wrong direction as a species.

“My dream? A little truck full of banned books, rolling through the South, spreading truth, freedom, and hope — one story at a time.”