The Pickup Artist
Terry Bisson,
Tor Books, 240pp, 2001

An odd twist on the world of Farenheit 451, the story follows a Federal agent charged with gathering creative works that have been banned by an agency purging the public cannon in order to inspire new creativity. Intrigued by a Hank Williams record scheduled for removal which brings back childhood memory, he soon finds himself on the run and in pursuit of the mysterious "Alexandrians" who smuggle illegal copies of banned works. A parallel story follows the global plot to implement this system, with ties to terrorism and thinly veiled references to Howard Hughes and Bill Gates.

It's a fun read, and the future of America is cleverly painted in as background as our protagonist flees a Noretheastern City for the mysterious city of Las Vegas, where you need a permit to enter.