Books After Dark: Adult Book Fair Sheds Light on Censorship

Last year, Weller Book Works, a pillar amongst Utah independent booksellers, hosted its inaugural Books After Dark adult book fair. The 21+ event brought the community together for a candid discussion about the destructive implications of censorship, not just for students, but for everyone, while providing refreshments and entertainment. On June 14 from 6 to 9 p.m., the book fair returns for Pride Month with more panelists, advocacy groups, vendors and performers joining the fight against censorship.

Since 2021, over 20,000 books have been banned in school districts across the nation. As of April 2026, 34 books have been removed from Utah schools under Utah’s H.B. 29 (“Sensitive Material Review Amendments”), signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox in early 2024. Titles banned in Utah include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Handmaid’s Tale, Looking for Alaska and Thirteen Reasons Why.

For Weller employees Claire Corwin (lead book buyer) and Hillary Thacker (bookseller and event coordinator), who have dedicated their careers to literacy and self-expression, this level of censorship hits especially hard.

“The whole point of rebelling against this level of censorship is that it’s rebelling against withholding tools and resources that give people equity and agency at any age.”

The book fair began last summer when another group approached Weller about co-hosting the event. While promoting banned books was integral, the team knew they needed to go further; that meant going political.

“[The group] ended up pulling out because they had the idea that it would be easy and fun, but we wanted the event to be political as well,” Thacker says. “It’s not just an adult book fair after dark. Attendees are voters who can go to their representatives and actually inspire change. The whole point of rebelling against this level of censorship is that it’s rebelling against withholding tools and resources that give people equity and agency at any age.”

“They got really scared. They were like, ‘You want to do a drag story time? I’m sorry, what?’ And so that’s when we were like, ‘Okay, we’re going to take this on ourselves and go harder,’” Corwin adds.

Last October, they brought together various groups and individuals in support of literacy and the fight against book bans. Participants included: Brain Food Books, Let Utah Read, Torrey House Press, local drag performer and educator Madazon Can-Can and several queer vendors selling handmade wares.

This year, the ACLU, UAF Legacy Health (formerly Utah Aids Foundation), Utah Kink Education Alliance and Out of the Shadows Theater Company will also join as supporters and panelists.

“We can turn this really intense subject into something where people join together.”

Going forward, Weller Book Works plans to host the fair every six months, once in the fall around Banned Books Week (Oct. 4-10), and once during Pride Month, pairing political advocacy with discussions about gender identity and sexuality.

“We want the event to be fun, which is great because everybody comes with a party atmosphere,” Corwin says. “We can turn this really intense subject into something where people join together. We want to make a community out of the bookstore, a place where people can come and know that what they say is safe. And I think an important part about being a safe place is showing up and showing out.”

Join the fight against censorship and get your tickets for Books After Dark. To see the full list of books banned in Utah schools, check out the Salt Lake Tribune. To learn more about book bans across the country, visit the American Library Association website.

Read more interviews with community activists and leaders:
Learning as You Grow with the Easter Gardener
The Beauty School Industry is in Jeopardy, and These Leaders are Asking for Help.

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