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larksnest 's review for:
The Library Book
by Susan Orlean
This was a beautifully-written ode to libraries, and to the people who make them work. As a librarian (and a person who just loves to read), I found it lovely and heartening.
Part of the story was the story of the 1986 LA library fire - what happened, who was involved. That part of the story was riveting. The absolute tragedy of a beautiful and massive library being ravaged by a fire that burned for two days... I kept tearing up while reading it.
I wasn't really pulled in by the story of Harry and whether he was just some self involved dick, or a cool-headed arsonist. I knew that the author was trying to give a balanced view of the facts, since he was never convicted... but going back and forth got a little slow for me. If he wasn't responsible, then I really wasn't interested in some random pathological liar.
Another part was the history of the Los Angeles Public Library, since its inception in the 1800s, and its managers and their views and rules of the library - all the way up to present day. Some of this was really interesting (especially how much the role of libraries has changed over the years, gender politics...).
Present day LA library sounds amazing. I made so many notes about programs currently running in the library, and opportunities for librarians to get more involved with their local communities that I definitely don't have available to me here. There is a lot to learn, and it made me excited to one day experience that for myself.
I would happily recommend this book to someone curious about how libraries work (day to day), how they have changed (to meet the needs of a changing city landscape and community, to applaud librarians for what they do and prove that this is important work.
To Susan Orlean - I'm really glad you rediscovered your love of the library, and wrote this book for us. I especially loved how the library was the touchstone of so many happy memories with your mother. That is how I want someone to feel when they step into my library - welcomed, excited. Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us.
Part of the story was the story of the 1986 LA library fire - what happened, who was involved. That part of the story was riveting. The absolute tragedy of a beautiful and massive library being ravaged by a fire that burned for two days... I kept tearing up while reading it.
I wasn't really pulled in by the story of Harry and whether he was just some self involved dick, or a cool-headed arsonist. I knew that the author was trying to give a balanced view of the facts, since he was never convicted... but going back and forth got a little slow for me. If he wasn't responsible, then I really wasn't interested in some random pathological liar.
Another part was the history of the Los Angeles Public Library, since its inception in the 1800s, and its managers and their views and rules of the library - all the way up to present day. Some of this was really interesting (especially how much the role of libraries has changed over the years, gender politics...).
Present day LA library sounds amazing. I made so many notes about programs currently running in the library, and opportunities for librarians to get more involved with their local communities that I definitely don't have available to me here. There is a lot to learn, and it made me excited to one day experience that for myself.
I would happily recommend this book to someone curious about how libraries work (day to day), how they have changed (to meet the needs of a changing city landscape and community, to applaud librarians for what they do and prove that this is important work.
To Susan Orlean - I'm really glad you rediscovered your love of the library, and wrote this book for us. I especially loved how the library was the touchstone of so many happy memories with your mother. That is how I want someone to feel when they step into my library - welcomed, excited. Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us.