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roomforastory's review against another edition
5.0
Inspiring story, compelling narrative, and Josh was born the same year as me, so I loved all of the pop culture references. You should read this book!
nssutton's review against another edition
3.0
It should come as no surprise that I have a soft spot for librarian origin stories. Hanagarne’s story covers such a wide range of topics, from growing up Mormon to the unorthodox methods he used to fight Tourette’s, as taught by an autistic strongman. I was a little resistant to finishing this at first, as other books kept giving me the eye, but I’m glad I saw it. It’s well-written, engaging, and easily accessible.
I appreciated the tales from the public library peppered throughout the story, but it got me to thinking the disproportionate number of library memoirs penned by men in this female-dominated field. Here’s the short list that I came up – let me know if I missed any:
Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian – Scott Douglas
Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian – Avi Steinberg
Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangsters in the Public Library – Don Borchert
So what are you waiting for, publishers? You know how to reach me. I’d love to tell the story of the time a patron paid us with cash from her underwear, how devastating a $2.5 million budget cut could be on an urban library system, and that time I embarrassed myself in front of a popular children’s author.
Share this:
I appreciated the tales from the public library peppered throughout the story, but it got me to thinking the disproportionate number of library memoirs penned by men in this female-dominated field. Here’s the short list that I came up – let me know if I missed any:
Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian – Scott Douglas
Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian – Avi Steinberg
Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangsters in the Public Library – Don Borchert
So what are you waiting for, publishers? You know how to reach me. I’d love to tell the story of the time a patron paid us with cash from her underwear, how devastating a $2.5 million budget cut could be on an urban library system, and that time I embarrassed myself in front of a popular children’s author.
Share this:
marcies_8's review against another edition
5.0
There is so much to take from this book. Faith and struggles with it, love of reading and libraries, life with Tourette's. I loved it all. Definitely going to follow his blog.
shelbyelby's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Book #65 Read in 2013
The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne
Josh is 6 foot, 7 inches tall, competes in strong man contests and has a severe case of Tourette's Syndrome. His occupation? A librarian. Not exactly what one would think for a career of someone who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome and has loud, verbal tics as part of this. Josh loved books from a young age and learning and reading was important to him at his core, so this translated into a career as a librarian. It was also a way for him to challenge himself to see if he could control some of his tics. Told in a honest manner, Josh details his growing up with this syndrome, his wish for his young son and his connection to his wife and parents. I enjoyed it.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne
Josh is 6 foot, 7 inches tall, competes in strong man contests and has a severe case of Tourette's Syndrome. His occupation? A librarian. Not exactly what one would think for a career of someone who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome and has loud, verbal tics as part of this. Josh loved books from a young age and learning and reading was important to him at his core, so this translated into a career as a librarian. It was also a way for him to challenge himself to see if he could control some of his tics. Told in a honest manner, Josh details his growing up with this syndrome, his wish for his young son and his connection to his wife and parents. I enjoyed it.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
cdehlert's review against another edition
2.0
Memoir by a man who developed Tourette Syndrome as a boy. One of the best ways to manage his disease he discovered was to do weight exercises. I liked the beginning section of the book, but by the end I felt like it was rambling too much.
rdurkan's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this book on tape and really liked the reader. I thought this book was funny, honest and interesting. I have a whole different perspective of the Mormon religion and Tourette's. Great book!!
lisanussd's review against another edition
4.0
I was attracted to this book because of the interesting combination of a Mormon librarian with Tourette's syndrome. The first half of the book seemed to be choppy. However, as he became an adult and started to describe his journey with Tourette's and his struggles with it, his voice became clearer. The last few chapters captured some very well written soul searching about faith and dealing with challenges beyond your control. I actually listened and read this book alternatively.
miajmu's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting memoir, fizzled a bit at the end for me, but overall a fascinating look at what it's like to be a 6 foot 7 Mormon librarian suffering from Tourette Syndrome. Gotta give the man credit for being an original!
jascolib's review against another edition
4.0
This is a 3.5 rating. Good book. Lots of laughs, but I wish there was another. As others have said, there need to be more. It feels like it stops right in the middle.