Banned Books Week takes place Oct. 4-10 this year, but for Amber and Kegan Salazar, spreading awareness and offering access to banned titles is a year-round endeavor.
The Salazars began Banned Wagon Books in 2024 with their first pop-up shop and now bring more than 100 titles to a range of events and locations across Colorado Springs.
Amber Salazar always wanted to own a bookstore, and a pop-up shop felt like a strong way to make that happen.
“Why wait to do what I love? When I’m talking to people about the books they love, the books they want to read, I feel the most like myself,” Salazar said.
Salazar also wanted to start a banned-book-focused business to raise awareness of and stand up to censorship in public institutions.
She believes parents should decide what their kids read, not what other kids read, and that intellectual freedom is crucial for democracy.
“Book bans disproportionately impact stories by and about marginalized people, especially when those stories address the realities of racism, abuse, identity or sexuality. I believe that everyone deserves to see themselves in books,” Salazar said.
Banned Wagon Books offers a diverse inventory of primarily used and banned books, mixed with new and non-banned titles. Salazar also expressed appreciation for the many community members who have donated books to support the shop.
Those interested in exploring their curated physical offerings can visit Banned Wagon Books’ website to view their upcoming events and pop-ups.
Those who would rather make their purchases digitally can browse the shop’s physical and ebook inventory through Bookshop.org and audiobook selection through their partnership with Libro.fm. Banned Wagon Books receives a share of the profits in both partnerships.
While Banned Wagon Books’ earnings keep them running, they also support anti-censorship efforts and increase local access to censored titles.
Salazar shared that at least 5% of their annual profits go toward organizations like PEN America and, currently, the American Library Association.
On a more local level, the business’s profits go toward future Little Free Libraries.
Salazar said Banned Wagon Books installed their first, The Reading Tree, earlier this year using their Bookshop.org profits. They hope to provide more neighborhoods with better access to books through these projects in the future.
Those interested in seeking out their next read with Banned Wagon Books can view updates, shop their inventory, or get to know them better by visiting their website, Instagram, Facebook and Threads pages.
Cover photo provided by Banned Wagon Books
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