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phoebelilly's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Niche subject but interesting investigation into arson, the importance of public libraries in the modern age, as well as the mystery and events of the fire itself. As one that doesn't usually read non-fiction, I enjoyed it
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this one a 3.5. Really great information about libraries, but I expected more about the fire, case, and suspect. Overall though I did enjoy it!
aeslehcgale's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
mb1520's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It made me think of libraries in a way that I hadn’t really thought of them before, even though I grew up visiting them and still do very frequently.
I appreciated the facts about libraries that were included, but towards the end they seemed to be a little much and I felt like the story was dragging.
I enjoyed learning about the fire and Harry Peak and thought both stories were told and woven together very well. I was slightly disappointed that after reading everything about Harry Peak and the fire, no definitive answer was given. No definitive opinion was given, either. I understand where Susan Orlean was coming from in saying, “I don’t know what happened,” but it would have been nice for her to say what she honestly thinks happened that day in 1986.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who frequents libraries, anyone who has ever been in a library, anyone who is thinking about going to a library, and anyone who enjoys reading nonfiction. (So almost everyone.)
I appreciated the facts about libraries that were included, but towards the end they seemed to be a little much and I felt like the story was dragging.
I enjoyed learning about the fire and Harry Peak and thought both stories were told and woven together very well. I was slightly disappointed that after reading everything about Harry Peak and the fire, no definitive answer was given. No definitive opinion was given, either. I understand where Susan Orlean was coming from in saying, “I don’t know what happened,” but it would have been nice for her to say what she honestly thinks happened that day in 1986.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who frequents libraries, anyone who has ever been in a library, anyone who is thinking about going to a library, and anyone who enjoys reading nonfiction. (So almost everyone.)
paperpages's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
midwifereading's review against another edition
3.0
The San Francisco Chronicle dubbed this book a "...flitting and meandering masterpiece." I have to agree. It's filled with stories and information I never knew I wanted to know about libraries, librarians, and the stories they carry.
It's written at a slow, relaxed pace, wandering around and through several different histories. It all comes full circle to a satisfying final page that embodies the feeling of closing a finished book.
It's written at a slow, relaxed pace, wandering around and through several different histories. It all comes full circle to a satisfying final page that embodies the feeling of closing a finished book.
thefooddater's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Dementia, Homophobia, and Death of parent