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briannareadsbooks 's review for:
The Library Book
by Susan Orlean
informative
medium-paced
I'm not sure if I'm just in a bad reading mood or what, but lately I've been not feeling books that I thought based on reviews/descriptions would be life-changing but whatever.
The first 2 chapters pulled me in with the author's nostalgic discussion of growing up going to the library which fostered an an adult love of books and the sharing of knowledge, followed by the drama and intensity of the Los Angeles Public Library fire in the 80s. The imagery of books and knowledge burning into nothingness was heartbreaking and — after I realized this was going to be a non-fiction book and not a fiction book like I thought — I was prepared for an intense take on the preservation of knowledge, censorship, tied with personal anecdotes from the author's life.
Nope. I mean, it had some of that, with really interesting knowledge on book burnings during WWII, the burning of the Library of Alexandria, and the sociological and social impacts that libraries have. But why do I need to know that the LA Public Library offers menus, sheet music, and even bikes? Most readers will not be accessing this Library on a regular basis, it sounded like something a journalist would release for people in the community to understand the library's offerings, this didn't need to be an entire book for us all to read.
And the mystery aspect of who started the 1980s fire fell flat. I couldn't care less. This book was a big slog and did not ignite (pun intended) any sort of nostalgia, gratitude, pride, or awe for libraries, which is what I was hoping for.
I love libraries, access them daily, and physically go to libraries multiple times per week. If this book barely inspired me then how will it spark (pun intended again!!) interest in those that don't even use the library?
Just disappointed. This could've easily been a journal essay rather than a book.
The first 2 chapters pulled me in with the author's nostalgic discussion of growing up going to the library which fostered an an adult love of books and the sharing of knowledge, followed by the drama and intensity of the Los Angeles Public Library fire in the 80s. The imagery of books and knowledge burning into nothingness was heartbreaking and — after I realized this was going to be a non-fiction book and not a fiction book like I thought — I was prepared for an intense take on the preservation of knowledge, censorship, tied with personal anecdotes from the author's life.
Nope. I mean, it had some of that, with really interesting knowledge on book burnings during WWII, the burning of the Library of Alexandria, and the sociological and social impacts that libraries have. But why do I need to know that the LA Public Library offers menus, sheet music, and even bikes? Most readers will not be accessing this Library on a regular basis, it sounded like something a journalist would release for people in the community to understand the library's offerings, this didn't need to be an entire book for us all to read.
And the mystery aspect of who started the 1980s fire fell flat. I couldn't care less. This book was a big slog and did not ignite (pun intended) any sort of nostalgia, gratitude, pride, or awe for libraries, which is what I was hoping for.
I love libraries, access them daily, and physically go to libraries multiple times per week. If this book barely inspired me then how will it spark (pun intended again!!) interest in those that don't even use the library?
Just disappointed. This could've easily been a journal essay rather than a book.