jgmencarini's review against another edition
5.0
I’m 46 and have two graduate degrees.
Reading this made me want to go get an MLS and become a librarian.
Reading this made me want to go get an MLS and become a librarian.
cpwang65's review against another edition
5.0
Book about the main branch (Central Library) of the Los Angeles Public Library System in 1986. Recounts the events leading to the fire, putting out the fire, the aftermath of the fire, the search for a person who set the fire, and process leading to the opening of a new / remodeled library.
In addition, covers the history of the Los Angeles Library system for the past 100 years plus. In doing so, goes over the changing trends and points of emphasis in the midst of different financial situations.
Goes over the many heads of the library system, and what areas they concentrated on. Mentions interesting tidbits like Ray Bradbury wrote the short story that was the basis for the sci fi novel Fahrenheit 451 was written on a typewriter in the library. Plus, at the end, mentions the Overdrive system.
Also delves into some of the challenges of managing the library system, like dealing with homeless people, and having various programs like children’s book readings and a phone hotline to answer questions.
In addition, covers the history of the Los Angeles Library system for the past 100 years plus. In doing so, goes over the changing trends and points of emphasis in the midst of different financial situations.
Goes over the many heads of the library system, and what areas they concentrated on. Mentions interesting tidbits like Ray Bradbury wrote the short story that was the basis for the sci fi novel Fahrenheit 451 was written on a typewriter in the library. Plus, at the end, mentions the Overdrive system.
Also delves into some of the challenges of managing the library system, like dealing with homeless people, and having various programs like children’s book readings and a phone hotline to answer questions.
latelykelsey's review against another edition
3.0
I was drawn to this because of the title and for the psuedo true crime aspect. I think I had it built up in my head, and I found it just kinda meh. I did like the true crime parts, but the back and forth between past and present was not my favorite.
vaparks's review against another edition
1.0
“A library is [...] a place where you feel part of a conversation that has gone on for hundreds and hundreds of years even when you’re all alone.”
Oh, this book.
I wanted to love it because Reese Witherspoon loved it. It was my first attempt at reading from “Reese’s Book Club” starting in January 2019. I was going to commit the year to reading each of her picks and I rushed to Barnes & Noble for my copy of “The Library Book” as soon as it was announced.
I tried. I really did. I tried to love it because I too love books and libraries. I feel a similar sense of wonderment and awe when walking into a library or opening a book for the first time. I appreciate what Susan Orlean was trying to do with this book. Even how she did it: a nonfiction read, written like a fictional story with all its wonderful literary elements. I thought it was well articulated.
However.
It is also the longest book report I’ve ever read in my entire life. The central story of Harry Peak and the Central Library fire had such potential for a great story. The additions of facts on libraries and books and arson, and.. and.. and.. just made the entire thing drag on. I force fed this book by the end, determined to finish what I started. One chapter dragged onto the next. It haunted me in my “Currently Reading” stack, as it sat on the bottom while new books came and went atop.
I for one, will not be re-reading. It will sit on my bookshelf as an accomplishment that I finished something I did not enjoy, but for the sake of finishing what I started. It took me over a year to finish. I don’t want to do that again.
Oh, this book.
I wanted to love it because Reese Witherspoon loved it. It was my first attempt at reading from “Reese’s Book Club” starting in January 2019. I was going to commit the year to reading each of her picks and I rushed to Barnes & Noble for my copy of “The Library Book” as soon as it was announced.
I tried. I really did. I tried to love it because I too love books and libraries. I feel a similar sense of wonderment and awe when walking into a library or opening a book for the first time. I appreciate what Susan Orlean was trying to do with this book. Even how she did it: a nonfiction read, written like a fictional story with all its wonderful literary elements. I thought it was well articulated.
However.
It is also the longest book report I’ve ever read in my entire life. The central story of Harry Peak and the Central Library fire had such potential for a great story. The additions of facts on libraries and books and arson, and.. and.. and.. just made the entire thing drag on. I force fed this book by the end, determined to finish what I started. One chapter dragged onto the next. It haunted me in my “Currently Reading” stack, as it sat on the bottom while new books came and went atop.
I for one, will not be re-reading. It will sit on my bookshelf as an accomplishment that I finished something I did not enjoy, but for the sake of finishing what I started. It took me over a year to finish. I don’t want to do that again.
alexcribbs's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
I can’t believe I never knew about this fire! The book was basically an homage to libraries with some true crime (was it arson??) sprinkled in.
mhoffrob's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. I found this to be captivating and incredibly well written. The descriptions of how a fire burns and the spread as it encompassed the LA Library made my heart race with anxiety. Told in alternating chapters about the fire, about the author, the history of the LA Central Library and also about the arson investigation and it's ultimate target, each story line was interesting and well paced. As a librarian, perhaps I am biased, but Susan Orlean's excitement about libraries and their past and future feels contagious and certainly well placed. She outlines her reasons for writing so well at the very end of the book, I will leave you with her own words:
"this is why I wanted to write this book, to tell about a place I love that doesn't belong to me but feels like it is mine, and how that feels like a marvelous and exceptional thing. All the things that are wrong in the world seem conquered by a library's simple unspoken promise: Here is my story, please listen; here I am, please tell me your story."
with thanks to NetGalley.com, the author (Susan Orlean), and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for the Advanced Reader Copy.
"this is why I wanted to write this book, to tell about a place I love that doesn't belong to me but feels like it is mine, and how that feels like a marvelous and exceptional thing. All the things that are wrong in the world seem conquered by a library's simple unspoken promise: Here is my story, please listen; here I am, please tell me your story."
with thanks to NetGalley.com, the author (Susan Orlean), and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for the Advanced Reader Copy.