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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
4.5 stars. I got this book on accident, thinking it was something else and then got really interested. I appreciate all the time and research it took to write this book. I also have an even deeper appreciation for the machine that is the public library system. The story of Harry was both very sad throughout his life and all the need to fabricate, as well as frustrating. I have only within the last year and a half come to really appreciate the library and this has helped to spark that love and appreciation even more.
Listened to the audio book, which was read by the author. I found Orlean's story of the Los Angeles Central Library captivating. Her stories demonstrate the social justice and community service role of public libraries. I enjoyed hearing about the fiesty librarians so passionate about their profession and the role of the library in our country's democracy and their role in the future, even as technology services us information at a staggering speed.
The story of the fire was fascinating. I was both intriqued and horrified by the segment on the lack of solid science behind arson investigations.
I'm so happy this book is becoming a best seller. It deserves the honor and I hope many people read it and support their local libraries.
The story of the fire was fascinating. I was both intriqued and horrified by the segment on the lack of solid science behind arson investigations.
I'm so happy this book is becoming a best seller. It deserves the honor and I hope many people read it and support their local libraries.
I wasn't really able to give this book the focus it deserves, but it was still enjoyable. A pleasant ramble through the Los Angeles Public Library, talking about how it was built, who led it (lots of internal politics and wars), the fire in the eighties, the potential arsonist, and its revival now.
informative
medium-paced
Fascinating. I really enjoyed reading all the history of the Central Library and others and the history of librarians, including anecdotes of the first librarians. I can’t imagine the obscure research that went into that. The book does meander overall and could use some editing help for flow.
This book was excellent. It was part mystery, part memoir, part history lesson, and part love story.
The mystery involved the young man at the center of the LA library arson investigation. It twisted and turned, just like the multiple incongruent alibi stories the suspect told.
The memoir aspect was touched on throughout as the author first remembered her childhood trips to the library with her mother and then later had unfolding personal realizations about how writing and the world of books mean chasing a wee bit of immortality.
The history of the LA library and, indeed, all libraries, was extremely well researched and entertaining. It encapsulated both the big picture of the role of all libraries as well as zooming in on the individual personalities that make up the nitty gritty of that unique community. She was very respectful of the ever present homeless population that congregate in libraries.
And finally, the love. Ms. Orlean wrote about libraries with the awe and reverence they deserve. In writing about the aftermath of the fire, she captured the tragedy of the lost history and stories and how it affected all the people that were connected to them. I couldn't possibly include all the great quotes that you could lift from this work about how books are the fabric that knit us together across cultures, social standing, and borders. When the library burned, a swath of the intricate garment of Los Angeles was gashed and singed. The happy ending is that she came back stronger. But sometimes, when you take a book off the stacks and open it, you can still smell the smoke.
The mystery involved the young man at the center of the LA library arson investigation. It twisted and turned, just like the multiple incongruent alibi stories the suspect told.
The memoir aspect was touched on throughout as the author first remembered her childhood trips to the library with her mother and then later had unfolding personal realizations about how writing and the world of books mean chasing a wee bit of immortality.
The history of the LA library and, indeed, all libraries, was extremely well researched and entertaining. It encapsulated both the big picture of the role of all libraries as well as zooming in on the individual personalities that make up the nitty gritty of that unique community. She was very respectful of the ever present homeless population that congregate in libraries.
And finally, the love. Ms. Orlean wrote about libraries with the awe and reverence they deserve. In writing about the aftermath of the fire, she captured the tragedy of the lost history and stories and how it affected all the people that were connected to them. I couldn't possibly include all the great quotes that you could lift from this work about how books are the fabric that knit us together across cultures, social standing, and borders. When the library burned, a swath of the intricate garment of Los Angeles was gashed and singed. The happy ending is that she came back stronger. But sometimes, when you take a book off the stacks and open it, you can still smell the smoke.
A beautiful love story to libraries and those who create them and take care of them. I really felt the passion that Orlean put into this book, from the beginning where she tells the story of going to the library with her mother, and how she wished she could tell her mother she was writing a book about libraries.
The book goes back and forth between the history of the LA Public Library (main branch) and the story of the fire that destroyed the library in 1986. It is deftly written and even though it seems like the mystery ultimately remains unsolved, it was a fun look at a particularly notable time in the library and city's history. I preferred the parts of the book that were focused on the creation of the library system in LA (with awesome lady librarians!), and how it is growing to shape the needs of our modern population.
The book goes back and forth between the history of the LA Public Library (main branch) and the story of the fire that destroyed the library in 1986. It is deftly written and even though it seems like the mystery ultimately remains unsolved, it was a fun look at a particularly notable time in the library and city's history. I preferred the parts of the book that were focused on the creation of the library system in LA (with awesome lady librarians!), and how it is growing to shape the needs of our modern population.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
i wanted to love this book so much.
it felt 200 pages longer than it needed to be.
very chaotic and confusing.
and this is coming from a library lover.
it felt 200 pages longer than it needed to be.
very chaotic and confusing.
and this is coming from a library lover.
informative