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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
What a wonderful book to kick off 2020! I loved this book so much. It is so full of humanity and weirdness. It makes me want to consider becoming a librarian. The stories Orleans stitches together are alternately fascinating, sad, and delightful.
I liked this book so much that I can't write a decent review of it!
I liked this book so much that I can't write a decent review of it!
plenty of funny wacky interesting stories about libraries and their people. just took me a while to get through it
I might be biased because I am a librarian, but I loved this book! I listened to it on audio and Orlean does a great job narrating her book. Within this book, Orlean describes the Los Angeles Public Library fire in 1986, the arson investigation that follows, library history, and current library issues. She seamlessly jumps back and forth between all of these topics. I learned a lot.
This book is perfect for those who are interested in true crime, libraries, or quirky history.
This book is perfect for those who are interested in true crime, libraries, or quirky history.
I'm biased, of course, but this was stellar. A little all over the place, but for an inquisitive reader who doesn't mind a bit of an informational deluge, this is a fascinating and beautifully written book. A no-brainer for book + library enthusiasts :-)
This book made me incredibly nostalgic for my home county library, where I used to check out 10 books at once and start reading them in the car on the way home. I really liked how Orlean integrated history, fire science, and true crime with how libraries are changing on our communities.
One teeny, tiny gripe: did she have to describe the weight of most people she encountered? Was it necessary?
One teeny, tiny gripe: did she have to describe the weight of most people she encountered? Was it necessary?
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
I enjoyed how this was both a whodunnit for the LA City Library fire of 1986 and a history of the public library there and across the US and the world.