On a D.C. rooftop, prominent authors and activists vowed to 'save our stories' from book bans

"On a comfortably mild and breezy Monday night in early fall, within steps of Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Penguin Random House transformed a rooftop overlooking the nation's capital into a rally for the freedom to read. The Save Our Stories Supper, held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to mark Banned Books Week, brought together authors, educators, and advocates as the publisher launched its third annual Banned Wagon Tour, a campaign through Washington and Philadelphia that distributes banned books and mobilizes readers to defend access to them."

"Guests began with an outdoor rooftop reception featuring an open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres before sitting down to a dinner of steak, salmon, plantains, rice and beans, and a fiesta salad starter, followed by dessert pastries. The convivial setting contrasted with the urgency of the evening's message: that censorship is spreading and that the right to read is under attack."

"That urgency is grounded in numbers. PEN America documented nearly 7,000 book bans in the 2024-2025 school year, with titles featuring LGBTQ+ characters and authors of color among the most frequently targeted. The publisher, recently named to 's list of the world's most influential companies, has helped draft Freedom to Read legislation in more than two dozen states and won a major federal case overturning Florida's recent book-ban law."

Penguin Random House organized the Save Our Stories Supper and launched its third annual Banned Wagon Tour to distribute banned books and mobilize readers in Washington and Philadelphia. The event gathered authors, educators, and advocates near Capital One Arena and at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library during Banned Books Week. Attendees experienced a rooftop reception and dinner amid messaging that censorship is increasing and reading rights face threats. PEN America recorded nearly 7,000 book bans in 2024–2025, with LGBTQ+ content and authors of color frequently targeted. The publisher has supported Freedom to Read legislation and won a federal case overturning a Florida book-ban law.

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