The Heart Behind the Resistance
I’m a social worker, a community organizer and, at my core, a book lover.
I've spent my career advocating for community wellbeing and positive mental health, and I've learned one thing for certain: stories are one of the most powerful tools we have for building empathy and understanding, to challenge our assumptions, and to remind us that we are rarely as alone as we think.
Lately, the world has felt heavy. Between the headlines and the growing threat of censorship, I felt a pull to do something.
I have two young nieces who love to read, and I want them to grow up in a school system where they can choose what they want from their library shelves, not what the government decides they should read. Growing up, books were my first window into worlds that were different from my own and taking that away from today’s readers is a loss we can’t afford even if that means reading something that makes us a little uncomfortable.
Because here's the part that gets me: a banned book isn't dangerous because of a swear word or a sex scene. It's considered dangerous because it gets people thinking, because it helps us understand, because it builds empathy for people that some folks would rather us not feel for. That's the real reason so many of these stories disappear from shelves. Watching books disappear from classrooms and library shelves, especially stories centered around identity, justice, and lived experience made it impossible for me to stay quiet.
So I decided to take my love of reading and turn it into advocacy.
Lit Resistance was created as my way to turn reading into positive action.
This isn’t just a subscription box. Lit Resistance is a space for curiosity, conversation, and community. A place where people can discover stories they may never have picked up on their own, talk about them honestly, and connect with others who believe access to ideas should never be restricted.
I live in the Wîhkwêntôwin community in Edmonton, where I'm usually busy dreaming up ways to bring neighbours together. I believe we're infinitely stronger together than we are alone, so whether it's starting an open-to-all book club, attending crafting circles, or organizing small concerts in the park, I'll always be looking for opportunities that bring people together.
A few more things to know about me:
I'm a perfectionist Virgo (is that redundant?) who will happily spend three hours debating a word choice or adjusting a graphic by a single pixel, yet will still somehow miss a spelling mistake.
I kickstarted my parter’s reading habit by gifting him an e-reader already loaded with books I knew he’d enjoy
I have two cats who love my love of reading because it means I'm staying still long enough for them to get in a good nap on my lap
My life is scored by Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell, with a healthy dose of Sabrina Carpenter for whimsy
My favourite places to read are:
covered up and cozy with my e-reader stand and remote to turn the pages
by the pool in a tropical location
literally anywhere else
Reading is often seen as a solitary act, and I want Lit Resistance to be a community.
I want this to be a space where you learn, grow, and connect with people who are just as curious as you are. I believe that reading widely - especially the books that challenge us - makes us better, more empathetic humans.
So let’s read something you maybe hadn’t considered, talk about it with a friend, and build a community that refuses to be censored.
Welcome to the Resistance, I’m so glad you’re here.
— Robyn
From the Shelf
The beginning of every great movement starts with a single flicker.
Get a fresh perspective delivered to your door every month. The Spark is our entry-level invitation to the world of challenged literature. Each month, you’ll receive a carefully selected title from the banned book list, paired with an in-depth exploration of its history and the reasons behind its censorship. We also include guided reflection questions to help you (or your book club) dig deeper, plus one or two hand-picked extras to keep the inspiration glowing.
Frequency: Monthly, recurring
Build the momentum. Keep the conversation moving.
Commit to a season of discovery with The Rally. This three-month journey ensures your shelves stay stocked with the stories others tried to hide. You’ll get the monthly banned book, the "Why It’s Banned" deep-dive, and our signature reflection guides. To keep the energy high, we include exclusive hand-made or curated extras. It’s more than a subscription; it’s a quarterly commitment to staying curious.
Frequency: 3 month, recurring
For the long haul. For the dedicated. For the bold.
The Resistance is our premier tier for those who believe that access to stories is a fundamental right. Over half a year, we’ll build a library of courage together. Each box features the monthly book, our essential historical write-ups, and reflection prompts designed to spark serious dialogue. We pack these boxes with our most unique, hand-crafted extras—the kind of items that turn a reading habit into a statement. Stand firm, read deep, and join the movement.
Frequency: 6 month, recurring
Knowledge is the foundation; action is the architecture.
The Advocate is our premier toolkit for those ready to turn their reading into a movement. This isn't a subscription—it’s a curated deep-dive into the heart of social change. Inside, you’ll find two essential titles: On Book Banning by Ira Wells - a comprehensive, Canadian study on the subject of book bans, and Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi - a memoir of a subversive book club in Iran at a time when everything was under control of the State. These books are paired with exclusive Lit Resistance merch so you can wear your mission on your sleeve.
To help you bridge the gap between the page and the world, we’ve included a custom Advocacy Reflection & Action Guide. This isn’t just a write-up; it’s a tactical breakdown of the books' core themes, paired with suggestions for local advocacy, from organizing your own book circle to supporting grassroots movements in your community.
The Advocate is for the reader who knows that the final chapter of any great book is written in the streets.
Frequency: This is a single, standalone box