Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
The book was intriguing. I struggled with the fact that the story was not linear. I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed this more in print.
An interesting mix of local history, mystery, and reflections on society.
This book is well-written and entertaining all the way through. I don't think I walked away from the book with my mind being blown or my perspective changed in any way. It's an interesting story of an arson interwoven with a well-written, yet brief, history of the LAPL. It's non-fiction, but very much a story.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I loved this book. I learned so much about the Los Angeles Public Library that I never knew. I found it fascinating. I wasn't expecting to love this book, but I would recommend it to everyone.
This was such a difficult read for me. At times it was hard to keep up with the jumping around in the stories but I did like the amount of details the author included.
The ending was sad in regards to Harry, I hadn't really seen it coming.
I think I would have liked the book better if it was organized differently.
The ending was sad in regards to Harry, I hadn't really seen it coming.
I think I would have liked the book better if it was organized differently.
Why are libraries essential? What else does a library have besides books? Susan Orlean gives us the tragedies and triumphs of the Los Angeles Library, and really of all libraries. Comprehensive and compelling, just like a library itself. I liked this book a lot!
What a fascinating book. I don't know if I'd heard about this fire before - I guess while it was a major event for Los Angeles, it wasn't world news, not that got onto the TV. Either that, or I wasn't watching the news right then and so missed it. Anyway, whether or not I'd had prior knowledge, I would have found this book an excellent read. It's investigative non-fiction at its best, and with my being a lifelong book lover and library devotee, I couldn't have found a subject more suited to me.
From the devastating fire of 1986 we are taken on a history of libraries in general, and in the United States more specifically. We're introduced to so many interesting people that the image of a staid librarian is completely turned on its head (mind you, I've always had the pleasure of meeting some great librarians so that's only ever been a fictional image for me). We learn how forensic science has changed the way fires are investigated, and we learn how fire- and water-damaged books have a sometimes hope of being saved.
When I was a child, one job I dreamed of was being a librarian - a few times in my life I have toyed with the idea of heading in that direction, but it never came to fruition. Instead, I catalogue my own books and that satisfies me. This book added another dimension to my satisfaction.
From the devastating fire of 1986 we are taken on a history of libraries in general, and in the United States more specifically. We're introduced to so many interesting people that the image of a staid librarian is completely turned on its head (mind you, I've always had the pleasure of meeting some great librarians so that's only ever been a fictional image for me). We learn how forensic science has changed the way fires are investigated, and we learn how fire- and water-damaged books have a sometimes hope of being saved.
When I was a child, one job I dreamed of was being a librarian - a few times in my life I have toyed with the idea of heading in that direction, but it never came to fruition. Instead, I catalogue my own books and that satisfies me. This book added another dimension to my satisfaction.
For an Angelino, very interesting. I was out of the state at the time but definitely remembered the after effects. Good writing, good pacing, good editing/ fading to and back along the timeline.