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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I was enthralled at Orlean's excellent writing, vivid descriptions and meticulous research into the circumstances surrounding the tragic fire at the Los Angeles Central Library in 1986. it is both a love letter to all libraries and a deep exploration of a tragedy where the victims were hundreds of thousands of books and irreplaceable historical records. As a librarian, Orlean made me proud to have chosen this noble profession, which I have always seen as a calling. I found myself bookmarking many passages that described so well the joys and sorrows we experience and reminded me of what I enjoy most about this work.
"The library is a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them. It is where we can glimpse immortality; in the library, we can live forever."
"The library is a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them. It is where we can glimpse immortality; in the library, we can live forever."
This is absolutely brilliant nonfiction - and a book about books - about libraries! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
In April 1986, there was a large fire in the Los Angeles Public Library; so large, in fact, that over four hundred thousand books were burned completely and seven hundred thousand more were damaged. Initially, the thoughts were that this was arson, yet no one has been convicted, and a mystery still surrounds the act.
The Library Book accomplishes several things. First, Susan Orlean has researched the history of the LA Public Library, and believe me, it’s intriguing and page-turning.
When examining the fire, Orlean presents a key player. Though he is a suspect, actor Harry Peak denies any involvement. Susan Orlean tells his backstory and presents the evidence clearly and with tension in such a way that it could be on 48 Hours or Dateline.
Susan Orlean lovingly places her endearment for books on every page of this wonder. Her love for libraries and their vital role in communities is also resonantly conveyed.
I don’t want to say too much in this review because this book is all about the discovery. It’s unique and heartwarming, even in the midst of a tragedy that would hurt any bibliophile’s heart. More than anything, it’s an ode to books and a gift to those who love them.
Thank you to Simon Schuster for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
In April 1986, there was a large fire in the Los Angeles Public Library; so large, in fact, that over four hundred thousand books were burned completely and seven hundred thousand more were damaged. Initially, the thoughts were that this was arson, yet no one has been convicted, and a mystery still surrounds the act.
The Library Book accomplishes several things. First, Susan Orlean has researched the history of the LA Public Library, and believe me, it’s intriguing and page-turning.
When examining the fire, Orlean presents a key player. Though he is a suspect, actor Harry Peak denies any involvement. Susan Orlean tells his backstory and presents the evidence clearly and with tension in such a way that it could be on 48 Hours or Dateline.
Susan Orlean lovingly places her endearment for books on every page of this wonder. Her love for libraries and their vital role in communities is also resonantly conveyed.
I don’t want to say too much in this review because this book is all about the discovery. It’s unique and heartwarming, even in the midst of a tragedy that would hurt any bibliophile’s heart. More than anything, it’s an ode to books and a gift to those who love them.
Thank you to Simon Schuster for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
I liked the opening of each chapter with cataloged book titles, as well as the way the author interwove her own library stories and her research into the story of the LA Central Library fire. The book covers a lot of ground--general library history, and history and characters involved through the years with LA Central Library; interviews with firemen, librarians, family members, investigators.
p58 on burning books--"The pages burned so fast they barely crackled, the sound was soft, like a sizzle, or like the crinkly light sound of water spraying out of a shower."
p59 "Libraries may embody our notion of permanence, but their patrons are always in flux."
p93 "In Senegal, the polite expression for saying someone died is to say his or her library has burned...Our minds and souls contain volumes inscribed by our experiences and emotions; each individual's consciousness is a collection of memories we've cataloged and stored inside us, a private library of a life lived. It is something that no one else can entirely share, one that burns down and disappears when we die. But if you can take something from that internal collection and share it--with one person or with the larger world, on the page or in a story recited--it takes on a life of its own."
p103 references to Ray Bradbury, and his alternative to college: 13 years in LA Public Library.
p124 reference to Native American slavery allowed in California by law
p125 Mary Foy hired to be city librarian, first female head librarian in country.
p127 Tessa Kelso, head librarian, began a library school
p130 Mary Letitia Jones, first head librarian to have graduated from a library school; shockingly told to resign to give way to Charles Lummis. Protests in LA against this (ultimately failed) by Susan B. Anthony and Rev. Anna H. Shaw.
p180 Library design by NY architect Bertram Goodhue
p197 Althea Warren hired as deputy director. Soon after taking job in LA, she fell in love wit head of Children's Dept, Gladys English. Moved in together in 1931 and remained with each other til English's death in 1956. p199 She was a 'reading evangelizer' looking for ways to get books into hands of public. Felt age requirement for children too restrictive, so opened membership to any child who could sign his/her name.
p215 descriptions of segregated LA
The life of Harry Peak and interviews with people who knew him, interviewed/interrogated him, and with his family is described throughout the book. And in the end, the author reveals that his part (or no part) in the fire will never be known.
p58 on burning books--"The pages burned so fast they barely crackled, the sound was soft, like a sizzle, or like the crinkly light sound of water spraying out of a shower."
p59 "Libraries may embody our notion of permanence, but their patrons are always in flux."
p93 "In Senegal, the polite expression for saying someone died is to say his or her library has burned...Our minds and souls contain volumes inscribed by our experiences and emotions; each individual's consciousness is a collection of memories we've cataloged and stored inside us, a private library of a life lived. It is something that no one else can entirely share, one that burns down and disappears when we die. But if you can take something from that internal collection and share it--with one person or with the larger world, on the page or in a story recited--it takes on a life of its own."
p103 references to Ray Bradbury, and his alternative to college: 13 years in LA Public Library.
p124 reference to Native American slavery allowed in California by law
p125 Mary Foy hired to be city librarian, first female head librarian in country.
p127 Tessa Kelso, head librarian, began a library school
p130 Mary Letitia Jones, first head librarian to have graduated from a library school; shockingly told to resign to give way to Charles Lummis. Protests in LA against this (ultimately failed) by Susan B. Anthony and Rev. Anna H. Shaw.
p180 Library design by NY architect Bertram Goodhue
p197 Althea Warren hired as deputy director. Soon after taking job in LA, she fell in love wit head of Children's Dept, Gladys English. Moved in together in 1931 and remained with each other til English's death in 1956. p199 She was a 'reading evangelizer' looking for ways to get books into hands of public. Felt age requirement for children too restrictive, so opened membership to any child who could sign his/her name.
p215 descriptions of segregated LA
The life of Harry Peak and interviews with people who knew him, interviewed/interrogated him, and with his family is described throughout the book. And in the end, the author reveals that his part (or no part) in the fire will never be known.
I really loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books and libraries. It tells the story of a massive fire that occurred in the Los Angeles Central Library in the 1980s and the mystery that surrounds the cause of it. Interwoven throughout is some history about the LA library system, book burning, and libraries in general. A solid 4.5 stars.
I would give this 3 1/2 stars if I could. I really loved some of it, but found other parts dull. Overall, it's very interesting and I especially enjoyed the tidbits about what it's like to work at a public library, since I can obviously relate.
Incredibly riveting story of the burning and the history of the Los Angeles Public Library.
informative
slow-paced
Interesting, especially for library lovers, but a little unfocused.
Every time I found my interest being snagged, the author went off on a tangent about which I just didn't care. Then she proceeded to pile on way too many unnecessary details. I did glean a few nuggets, but if it weren't for my book club, I would not have made it to the end.
The library is no mere book lending institution it is a MAGICAL REALM of VIBRANT PASSION AND FANCY