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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
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.
Susan Orleans is such a great writer I've enjoyed everyrhing I've read of hers. This one is extra special because of all the stories about those fascinating characters--library people.
Reading this book during a pandemic when libraries were closed was surreal. It was completely fascinating, totally absorbing and just plain old weird at times.
As an avid lover of books and libraries, I thoroughly enjoyed this read (actually a listen). The narrator isn’t the best I’ve ever listened to, but the content certainly kept my interest and I loved learning of the evolution of the public library through the lens of the LA library. Maybe I want to be a librarian after all.
Wow! This book was incredibly well researched and thorough. It wasn’t my favorite book about books, but it might have had more significance to me if I had more connection to the library that served as “the main character”, the LA library. Readings this book definitely makes me want to visit it though and gave me all the good “being in a library” feels! A great read for the lover of library books & tales.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean is about all things related to books: libraries, librarians, old books, love of reading, new books, literary history, the importance of books in society, the love of all things written, the place occupied by libraries in our communities, etc. It is the story of the fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986. While writing about the great loss brought on by the fire, the author moves from one book to another, describing them as she tells us about the tragedy of the fire. The Library Book is a love story. Those of us who must have a book at hand at all times will appreciate having had the opportunity to read this book.
A fascinating look at the fire that destroyed a massive collection of irreplaceable materials, a brief history of libraries, a mystery surrounding the unsolved case, a love letter to firefighters, and the author's own re-discovery of libraries. It's SO MUCH packed in one well-written book.
Fascinating story of the LA library and the fire that almost destroyed it. Gives the history. Who the suspect was. Why we didn't hear about this massive fire. (the Challenger had exploded earlier in the year and Chernobyl happened)
Author relates why libraries are important to her. Her mom was slowly losing her memory and this helped the author feel connected to mom as she was losing her.
Her descriptions are beautiful. Her love of books wonderful.
Author relates why libraries are important to her. Her mom was slowly losing her memory and this helped the author feel connected to mom as she was losing her.
Her descriptions are beautiful. Her love of books wonderful.