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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This book made me want to live forever in a library, in the best way
I wish I could give this book 10 stars ⭐️. Libraries are so much more than a building with books. They truly are the heart of a community. Thank you Susan Orlean for writing this book!
Uniquely written. Part memoir, part historical. Totally worthwhile.
I love this book! It has just risen to be one of my top ten favorites. It's a beautiful love letter to libraries everywhere and the wonderful role they play in community building. I also enjoyed Orlean's conversational tone and dynamic delivery, which kept me fully engrossed.
This book just renewed my love of the library. It's the story of a library growing and changing and being destroyed by fire and then the expanding concept of what a library can and has to be for a modern city.
This was the perfect start to my 2019 book reading goals.
This was the perfect start to my 2019 book reading goals.
So good! I didn't realize it was a true story until until a little way in, but it was a fantastic read either way. The author does a great job of interweaving the history of the LA library along with the story of the fire and suspect. I learned a lot!
After suffering through the first chapter of the author reading the audiobook, I gave up. I’ll have to read the ebook, since i waited for this book for weeks. Her voice was nasally whinny annoying. Somebody should have said something to her!!! Luckily it was from the library ( no pun intended).
I ❤️ libraries so much. I thought the author did a good job of making the book interesting while giving a lot of history. It would’ve been better if the actual arsonist had been caught but I guess it would have been fiction then!
A love letter to libraries everywhere! Not only does this book chronicle the fascinating fire at the LA Central Library, it also chronicles both the history and behind the scenes actions of public libraries in the United States. It has me seriously considering changing professions. This book will make you want to go give your local library a big hug!
I’m giving this one 4 stars SOLELY because Orlean is a gifted writer and the way she describes her childhood experiences and love of libraries truly resonates with me. The book is marketed as a presentation of Orlean’s research on the 1986 LA Public Library fire, but it’s here where I believe she falls short. Orlean jumps around between narrative of the fire/arson/ensuing investigation, the history of the LA Public Library, and a discussion on libraries in general. I may be in the minority when I say I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the library more than I did the tedious shadowing of Harry Peak. If I had to score this book on entertainment value, it would be a 2.5, but the passion Orlean shares with readers over her love of books pushed me to give it a 4.