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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Did you know that in 1986 the Los Angeles Central Library burned, and a million books were either damaged or destroyed? It happened at the same time as Chernobyl, so it got lost in the shuffle. THE LIBRARY BOOK is part history of the LA library and libraries in general, part story of the fire investigation, and part love letter to the concept of public libraries. Like the author, I have fond memories of going to the library as a kid with my mom.
amazing. inspiring. thought-provoking. entertaining. emotionally and mentally engaging. an absolutely fantastic book.
i never read “the orchid theif” despite many people telling me to. and after reading this, i can see why it was so highly recommended. orlean’s writing style is equal parts personal, intellectual, emotional, logical, relevant. i could not get enough of what she was saying and how she was saying it.
to speak specifically about the book and its topic, orlean starts off by talking about her personal attachment to libraries and then begins this adventure by describing the day the l.a. library burned. she contextualizes why the l.a. library is so important, why libraries themselves are important, gives detailed and riveting histories of the head librarians, the person charged with arson, and the current employees and patrons of the l.a. library.
i highly highly recommend this book to anyone who has any affinity for reading, libraries, civic/societal structures, history, or if you simply want to read a good story by a brilliant writer.
i never read “the orchid theif” despite many people telling me to. and after reading this, i can see why it was so highly recommended. orlean’s writing style is equal parts personal, intellectual, emotional, logical, relevant. i could not get enough of what she was saying and how she was saying it.
to speak specifically about the book and its topic, orlean starts off by talking about her personal attachment to libraries and then begins this adventure by describing the day the l.a. library burned. she contextualizes why the l.a. library is so important, why libraries themselves are important, gives detailed and riveting histories of the head librarians, the person charged with arson, and the current employees and patrons of the l.a. library.
i highly highly recommend this book to anyone who has any affinity for reading, libraries, civic/societal structures, history, or if you simply want to read a good story by a brilliant writer.
slow-paced
Libraries are magical places. Ask anyone who has read in one, studied in one, volunteered in one or worked in one. The smell of old books is intoxicating. The feel of new pages is exquisite. The ability to sink into a book and escape to a different place and time is glorious. And to fill your mind with new facts and ideas is exhilarating. When the Los Angeles Public Library Central Branch (The Goodhue Building) burned in 1986, it was devastating to book lovers worldwide. Over 400,000 books were destroyed and 700,000 books were damaged, along with many rooms and furnishings in the library. Susan Orlean shares the stories of the librarians who staffed the building and the patrons who walked its hallways. She also looks into the investigation of the fire and the background of the man suspected of setting it, Harry Peak. If you are a library geek (and former librarian) like me, you will enjoy this book!
As if we library book lovers needed more reasons to love the library. Susan Orlean tells a great library story which is historical and anecdotal and just fascinating from beginning to end. If I ever visit LA, I won't be going to Beverly Hills or Rodeo Drive, I'll be visiting the Central Library!
What an absolutely beautiful book.
As a lifelong lover of libraries, it never occurred to me that such a fascinating book could be written on the subject. In true Orlean style, we get history, memoir, biography, mystery, and so much more. The importance of libraries to all communities is dissected and put on display. Libraries contain all of human life and nature. Thank you, Susan Orlean, for somehow making me love and appreciate libraries more than I already did.
As a lifelong lover of libraries, it never occurred to me that such a fascinating book could be written on the subject. In true Orlean style, we get history, memoir, biography, mystery, and so much more. The importance of libraries to all communities is dissected and put on display. Libraries contain all of human life and nature. Thank you, Susan Orlean, for somehow making me love and appreciate libraries more than I already did.
A fantastic read! Orlean masterfully used the story of the fire to tell about the history and evolution of libraries with so many interesting anecdotes. I will definitely visit the Central library when I’m next in Los Angeles.