Dua Lipa, a pop star known for her music and acting, has recently established a reputation as a literary advocate through her book club, Service95, which she founded in 2023. Her latest initiative, the Manifesto Library, located in the Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto, Portugal, features 100 titles that challenge censorship and dominant narratives. The library aims to promote the freedom to read, although access is limited as visitors must purchase a timed-entry ticket.
The library's collection, co-curated by Service95 and the bookshop staff, focuses primarily on banned books, particularly those related to U.S. censorship. Titles include George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451." The rise in book bans has been significant, with the American Library Association reporting over 4,000 titles challenged in 2025 alone.
Despite the increase in censorship efforts, the publishing industry continues to thrive, with over 640,000 books released in 2025. The contrasting realities of increased access to literature and heightened censorship efforts create a complex landscape for readers and advocates alike. The Manifesto Library serves as a space for promoting literary engagement, although its effectiveness in addressing censorship issues remains to be seen.