JUSTICE UNBOUND BOOK CLUB

All are welcome to join Legal Aid Society’s book club, Justice Unbound. We believe that stories have the power to create empathy and connect communities. Our book club aims to explore issues related to civil legal justice, better understand the challenges facing low-income communities, and inspire creative solutions to complicated and systemic issues.

Benefits of Joining

  • 20% discount on all book club books at Carmichaels Bookstore

  • Invitation to our Books and Breakfast series (our book discussion events)

  • Connection with a community of individuals passionate about civil legal justice

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NOW READING

You Got To Be of the People: Peacekeepers at the Heart of Public Safety in Louisville

As a companion event to Legal Aid Society's Journey to Justice breakfast, Justice Unbound invites participants to explore You Got To Be of the People: Peacekeepers at the Heart of Public Safety in Louisville, a powerful collection of stories from the people working to create peace, healing, and safety in our community.

Developed through a partnership between the Louisville Story Program and Cities United, the book documents the experiences of Louisville's peacekeepers: violence interrupters, mentors, advocates, and community leaders whose work is grounded in relationships, trust, and love. Through deeply personal narratives, the authors offer an authentic look at the realities of community violence and the transformative power of solutions led by those closest to the challenges.

These stories reflect a belief shared by both Legal Aid Society and the book's contributors: meaningful and lasting change begins by listening to people with lived experience. The voices in this collection challenge us to rethink public safety, better understand the systemic issues affecting our communities, and consider how dignity, connection, and collective action can create a more just future.

We are especially honored to welcome Anthony Smith, Executive Director of Cities United, contributor to the book, and featured speaker at Legal Aid Society's 2026 Journey to Justice breakfast, as our guest moderator for this special Justice Unbound: Books & Breakfast discussion on September 14 at 8:30 a.m. Anthony's leadership and work amplifying the voices of communities most impacted by violence have helped shape a national conversation about public safety, healing, and hope.

Where to find the book

Available at the Louisville Free Public Library

or

Purchase through the Louisville Story Program ($25)

You’re invited

Books & Breakfast

featuring guest moderator, Anthony Smith, Director of Cities United & guest speaker at Journey to Justice

Monday, September 14

8:30 AM to 10 AM

Legal Aid Society

416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Ste. 300

Join us for the companion event where we dive deeper into the book and it’s themes as they related to poverty in our community, legal aid, and the role of the legal system.

RSVP TO BOOKS & BREAKFAST

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, October 23 @ 8:30 AM

Legal Aid Society (416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Ste. 300)

RSVP Early

Our final book select for 2026 will be Harper Lee’s Go Set the Watchman. Our Books & Breakfast discuss will be held on October 23, at 8:30 AM featuring two distinguished guest moderators, Judge McKay Chauvin and Judge Denise Clayton.

Judge McKay Chauvin

Judge Denise Clayton

Past Reading

  • James by Percival Everett

    "I hated the world that wouldn't let me apply justice without the certain retaliation of injustice"

  • Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts

    “The concept of the kitchen ghosts came to me years ago when I realized that my ancestors are always with me and that the women are most present while I’m chopping or stirring or standing at the stove. The art of cooking and engaging with my kitchen ghosts made me realize that food is never just about the present—every dish”

  • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

    “Their hunger for books could teach them of a better life free of the hunger, but without food they'd never live long enough or have the strength to find it.”

  • MAID by Stephanie Land

    March 2025

    “I had to stop hoping for someone to come along and love me. I had to do it myself, ducking my head and barreling through anything life brought. I felt like sitting down meant I wasn't doing enough - like the sort of lazy welfare recipient I was assumed to be.”

  • Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

    October 2024

    “Live long enough, and all things you ever loved can turn around to scorch you blind. The wonder is that you could start life with nothing, end with nothing, and lose so much in between.”

  • Other Suggested Reading

    View from the Bench by Judge McKay Chauvin

    “I Left Poverty After Writing ‘Maid.’ But Poverty Never Left Me.” By Stephanie Land.

Thanks to Carmichael’s Bookstore for offering all Justice Unbound Book Club members 20% our book selections!

Simply let the cashier know you are a member of Justice Unbound Book Club at check out.