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sophienocturne's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of writings on the subject of libraries, including both fiction and non-fiction, mainly focusing on the importance of libraries and why they need to be protected from UK budget cuts. While I complete appreciate and agree with the sentiment behind this book, I felt that some of the articles were much better than others and that the fiction included was quite out of place. My favourite pieces included in this book were by Stephen Fry, Caitlin Moran and Zadie Smith, but unfortunately I wasn't that interested in some of the other pieces and found myself skimming them.
mokey81's review
3.0
It wasn’t as great as I was hoping for. I wasn’t looking for generic Jane Schaffer method essays, but most of these essays felt so disjointed and incoherent, I couldn’t figure out what the real story was. But there were some really good ones mixed in. And it was a book about books and libraries, so it still made me happy.
rmill's review against another edition
4.0
This made me want to rediscover my own local library and definitely brought back some fond memories of visiting libraries as a child. I went back to the library this morning and borrowed for the first time in about four years!
cgroup6's review against another edition
5.0
I’m proud to have checked this fantastic collection of essays on the importance of libraries in society out from my local library (yay - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh)! If you love books - and importantly stories about books - I highly recommend it!
This collaboration was created in response to the drastic cuts in funding that libraries have seen in recent years. Authors and musicians plead the case for books, libraries, & education. I’ve copied in just a few of the quotes that really stuck out to me.
“you might not understand the point of such lowly gateways, or be able to conceive why anyone would crawl on their hands and knees for the privilege of entering one. It has always been, and always will be, very difficult to explain to people with money what it means not to have money. If education matters to you, they ask, and if libraries matter to you, well, why wouldn’t you be willing to pay for them if you value them? They are the kind of people who believe value can only be measured in money, at the extreme end of which logic lies the dangerous idea that people who do not generate a lot of money for their families cannot possibly value their families as people with money do.”
“Perhaps it’s because they know what the history books will make of them that our politicians are so cavalier with our libraries: from their point of view, the fewer places where you can find a history book these days, the better.”
“Reading develops cognitive skills. It trains your mind to question what you are told, which is why the first thing dictators do when they come to power is censor or ban books. It’s why it was illegal for so many years to teach slaves to read. It’s why girls in developing countries have acid thrown in their faces going to school.”
This collaboration was created in response to the drastic cuts in funding that libraries have seen in recent years. Authors and musicians plead the case for books, libraries, & education. I’ve copied in just a few of the quotes that really stuck out to me.
“you might not understand the point of such lowly gateways, or be able to conceive why anyone would crawl on their hands and knees for the privilege of entering one. It has always been, and always will be, very difficult to explain to people with money what it means not to have money. If education matters to you, they ask, and if libraries matter to you, well, why wouldn’t you be willing to pay for them if you value them? They are the kind of people who believe value can only be measured in money, at the extreme end of which logic lies the dangerous idea that people who do not generate a lot of money for their families cannot possibly value their families as people with money do.”
“Perhaps it’s because they know what the history books will make of them that our politicians are so cavalier with our libraries: from their point of view, the fewer places where you can find a history book these days, the better.”
“Reading develops cognitive skills. It trains your mind to question what you are told, which is why the first thing dictators do when they come to power is censor or ban books. It’s why it was illegal for so many years to teach slaves to read. It’s why girls in developing countries have acid thrown in their faces going to school.”
1librarianspath's review against another edition
4.5
A wonderful, varied selection of writings. Reinforcing my opinion that libraries are a necessary part of the community.
avrilhj's review against another edition
4.0
A mixed bag, mostly delightful, occasionally moving, sometimes hilarious. A collection of essays, articles and stories about the importance of libraries, this book includes some absolute gems. Stephen Fry discovering Oscar Wilde; Val McDermid pretending her mother is bed-ridden in order to borrow adult books; an article by Bella Bathurst on 'The Secret Lives of Libraries' - I'd happily have bought the book for these three pieces alone.
Zadie Smith's article on the necessity of public libraries is brilliant and deeply logical: "It has always been, and always will be, very difficult to explain to people with money what it means not to have money. If education matters to you, they ask, and if libraries matter to you, well, why wouldn't you be willing to pay for them if you value them? They are the kind of people who believe value can only be measured in money, at the extreme end of which logic lies the dangerous idea that people who do not generate a lot of money for their families cannot possibly value their families as people with money do." Australians are as prone to this dangerous idea as the British; I'd like every local councillor to read Zadie Smith's 'Library Life'.
It felt strange to BUY a book about the wonders of BORROWING books, but the profits do go to The Reading Agency. And I am inspired to go hang out at my local library, and to try to make sure it's there for future generations.
Zadie Smith's article on the necessity of public libraries is brilliant and deeply logical: "It has always been, and always will be, very difficult to explain to people with money what it means not to have money. If education matters to you, they ask, and if libraries matter to you, well, why wouldn't you be willing to pay for them if you value them? They are the kind of people who believe value can only be measured in money, at the extreme end of which logic lies the dangerous idea that people who do not generate a lot of money for their families cannot possibly value their families as people with money do." Australians are as prone to this dangerous idea as the British; I'd like every local councillor to read Zadie Smith's 'Library Life'.
It felt strange to BUY a book about the wonders of BORROWING books, but the profits do go to The Reading Agency. And I am inspired to go hang out at my local library, and to try to make sure it's there for future generations.
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Good mix of essays about books, reading, libraries and the life-changing effects they can have on people's lives.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
4.0
A brilliant little book of memoirs and essays from well-known authors about a very important thing - our libraries! I especially enjoyed Lucy Mangans Rules (if you dog-ear my books, I'll dog-ear you!) Well worth a read.