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librerin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
This book was fascinating. I normally have a hard time reading non-fiction, but this book was so well written and so interesting that I savored every moment of it! The flow between following the library's history, it's present, and the fire was so smooth. The cast of real human characters was also wild! The book spoke to my love of libraries, even getting me teary-eyed at some points. One of my favorite books ever!
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Cultural appropriation
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
- THE LIBRARY BOOK is more than just an investigation of whether L.A. Central Library was a victim of arson. It's also a history of the branch, of libraries generally, and a look at what libraries have evolved into today and the challenges librarians tackle every day.
- This book is a love letter to libraries and a message of gratitude to librarians. The descriptions of people and places read like fiction, and I just couldn't put it down.
- I really appreciated the repeated emphasis on how libraries are expected to fill every social need and gap in our safety nets, in particular in regards to supporting unhoused people but also in dozens of other ways. It shows us how far beyond their limits (financial, educational, etc.) we have forced them to stretch.
- This book is a love letter to libraries and a message of gratitude to librarians. The descriptions of people and places read like fiction, and I just couldn't put it down.
- I really appreciated the repeated emphasis on how libraries are expected to fill every social need and gap in our safety nets, in particular in regards to supporting unhoused people but also in dozens of other ways. It shows us how far beyond their limits (financial, educational, etc.) we have forced them to stretch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Classism