A collection of facts, opinions, and accounts of the devastating library fire that ravaged Los Angeles's Central Library on April 29, 1986, The Library Book by Susan Orlean reads like the bottomless rabbit hole Wikipedia can be. You start one place, click links that take you sixteen steps away and then you wonder how the hell you managed to arrive at your current location. You backtrack, perhaps at your point of origin, perhaps just nearer it, and go again.

Still unsure of my rating, I'll split the difference and land on a three-star one.

The parts of this book that actually cover the unsolved fire and Harry Peak (the main suspect) are fantastic. A well-focused and incredibly well-researched topic, Susan Orlean, without question, knows her stuff. She has a great voice and presents everything (concrete fact, supposition, or her own opinion), succinctly and knowledgeably. It's the history of practically everything ever connected that gets a little wobbly and long-winded.

While there were without question tangents Orlean would introduce which reconnected with the central topic easily, smoothly, and felt important or (at the least) entertainingly interesting, there were sections where we strayed too far for too long. I loved some of the history of the building, the area, and the people. But more information is sometimes just too much, and I felt this novel could've benefited from some trimming and excising.

History, politics, community and arson--Susan Orlean's latest work of non-fiction reads like great entertainment! I love investigative historical fiction (The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan is a favorite!) and this novel really treats readers to something new and different.
The Los Angeles library fire of 1986 was overshadowed by meltdown at Chernobyl, but both events have had long lasting historic impact.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who's ever said that history is boring. 4 stars!
Thank you netgalley and Simon&Schuster for the free read in exchange for an honest review.

In "The Library Book”, award winning writer Susan Orlean tells the story of the 1986 fire that devastated the Los Angeles Public Library, destroying 400,000 books and damaging many more. I had actually never heard of it, but the author explains why. Chernobyl was the same day and we were a little preoccupied with nuclear winter.

A library fire sounds like a straightforward enough story, but the author turns it into something so much more; there is mystery, intrigue, arson, humanitarian efforts and community help, which all makes for an interesting read. Non-fiction that reads like fiction is always good.

This book, however, draws you in and makes you care about the library. You care about how the fire started, you care about the fate of all of those books, and you care about the people involved. It’s a bit of a love letter to libraries everywhere.

I learned about the library system in LA and its history and politics, as well as the corporations and the community who rallied around the library and their patrons. Who knew that freezing books preserved them until the preservationists could really come and save the day? The author's attempt to solve the crime of LA’s library fire is embedded within other “news” about fires and libraries. The reader learns the history of libraries, motives of arsonists, ancient library fires, investigations of fires, and even unusual library patrons.

I would give this a 4 1/2 star rating, as there seemed to be an bit of editing that still needs to occur, imho. I think the statistics started to become blah blah blah and the bit about burning a copy of Fahrenheit 451 on a cookie sheet in the drought in LA just should have been deleted. It’s just wrong.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

This is nonfiction that reads like fiction. This is a compulsively readable book that bibliophiles will love. It's an ode to libraries, but it is also the unraveling of a mystery. Having been a young child when the fire occurred in 1986, I was not familiar with the story of the Los Angeles Public Library fire. What unfolded under Orlean's very capable hands was a fascinating exploration of the power of libraries. A must read for lovers of the written word!

Fascinating History of the LA Public Library
This true story begins on April 29, 1986...the day of a devastating fire at the Los Angeles Central Library. Susan Orlean investigates a mystery that has never been solved: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library...and if so, who?

Ms. Orlean shares extensive research in this riveting book about the history of the library, the library architecture, the library employees, library patrons, the library culture and the accused arsonist, Harry Peak.

My Thoughts
I worked as a school librarian for many years, so the title of this book piqued my curiosity. The author tells of her childhood love of reading and her frequent visits to a public library in her neighborhood. She wrote this book as a tribute to libraries and the important role they play in our society.

They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and that is certainly the case with this book. In her quest to investigate the library fire, Ms. Orlean traces the history of the library back to 1926. She explores the library culture and the personalities of the people who held leadership positions at the library and the librarians who spent their days performing the duties required to serve the library patrons. She investigates the challenges the library has faced in recent years and shares her thoughts about the future of the library.

The author can't understand why anyone would intentionally start a fire in the library. She is not convinced that this was actually a case of arson. However, she admits that this is probably a mystery that will never be solved. Harry Peak, the main suspect in the arson case, was arrested but released because of lack of evidence. He later died of AIDS.

I found this book extremely informative, enlightening and even entertaining. The author did an amazing job mixing the intrigue of the fire mystery and the more unremarkable history of the library.

I believe this book will be on the shelves of many libraries and all library enthusiasts will devour the pages and be hungry for more. Highly recommended!


MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Weaving her life-long love of books and reading with the fascinating history of libraries and the sometimes-eccentric characters who run them, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean presents a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling story as only she can. With her signature wit, insight, compassion, and talent for deep research, she investigates the legendary Los Angeles Public Library fire to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives. To truly understand what happens behind the stacks, Orlean visits the different departments of the LAPL, encountering an engaging cast of employees and patrons and experiencing alongside them the victories and struggles they face in today’s climate. She also delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from a metropolitan charitable initiative to a cornerstone of national identity. She reflects on her childhood experiences in libraries; studies arson and the long history of library fires; attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; and she re-examines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the library over thirty years ago. Along the way, she reveals how these buildings provide much more than just books—and that they are needed now more than ever.

I will say that the writers love of books shines through in this story called The Library Book. Susan Orlean has impeccable writing skills that leave you breathless from the descriptions that she gives. I felt as though I were a part of this book in some way and wanted to help libraries all over. This is technically about one library. A library that burned down dur to a fire and was not salvageable at all. What really happened to the library? Was the fire intentionally set? Orlean rakes you on a journey that will keep you enthralled to the very last page and the understanding that libraries all over provide more than we think.

5++ stars ⭐️ out of 5

The Library Book is an addicting read. Susan Orlean combines the allure of an unsolved mystery, a forgotten but fascinating bit of Los Angeles history, and a cultural exploration of the importance of libraries. Well written, personal, and educational... excellent book.

Just what I expected from this author, a rich, readable library love story. For those of us who work in a library it's reassuring to know that we all face the same daily challenges and struggles. I loved it. Every library in the USA should buy at least one copy.

I ate up this nonfiction number that weaves together the history of the LA library, the histories of libraries throughout all of time, the events involving the LA library fire in the 1980s, and tidbits about the many services that the library currently provides.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am OBSESSED with libraries and the many services that they provide to the communities that they serve. Have you ever thought about how libraries are one of the only places in America where people can congregate for free without having to be a paying customer? In addition to access to books, computers, and knowledge, libraries provide many essential resources and services, like tax preparation tips, to their local communities. I'm so passionate about libraries that my old coworkers used to subtly bring up the library just to prod me into my tirade about the importance of libraries -- I love libraries and I love this book! This is all to say, the appeal of this book may be totally niche, but I am the perfect reader for it.

Orlean is very talented in how she blends all of these histories, including an investigation into the cause of the great library fire, and modern day events together to create a brilliant nonfiction piece that is completely captivating. I talked about this book with everyone I saw while I was reading it and shortly after and I recommend you do the same!

& here's my favorite lil fragment that captures the beauty and comfort of libraries,
"The library, where lonely people can feel slightly less lonely together"

Over the last week since I read this book I think I've told nearly everyone I know to read it. Orlean has an incredible gift when it comes to rendering stories on the page and this story of the 1986 Los Angeles Library fire is no exception. I have never read such a beautiful description of something so destructive. She covers every aspect of the fire--the history of the library, the fire itself, how the staff handled it, how the fire fighters fought and investigated the fire, who might have started it (and the entire investigation related to that), as well as how it was rebuilt and incorporated once more into L.A. culture.

The amount of research that went into this book is immense. Orlean dug up everything you can imagine about the library's past and spoke to countless individuals ranging from the staff, the firefighters, the police and the family of the man they believe ultimately started the fire.

In passing in the book, she mentions that she had decided to stop writing, but the story of the fire compelled her back into words. For that I am grateful, because as a writer myself, her writing is a true inspiration: her descriptions, her turns of phrase, her deep dives into the people of her books, making you feel like you are there with them. Please Susan Orlean, never stop writing.

Thanks S&S and Net Galley for the early read of this book.

Susan Orlean is an excellent writer. This book about the LA public library, and specifically about the fire that occurred here in 1986, could have been a dry account of the facts sprinkled with anecdotes about library life, but instead her sparkling prose brought the library world and its employees and patrons to life.

Anyone who has ever frequented libraries in any capacity will relate to this story. It's so much more than a retelling of the events that happened here in the 80's, it's really an ode to libraries and why we love them.

In 1986 the central library of Los Angeles was burned severely damaging the building, destroying 400,000 books, and damaging many more. Susan Orlean (of the Orchid Thief and Adaptation fame), has written a book about this fire, but not just about the fire. She has the fire as the starting point (or ignition point, if you will) for a book which is a larger history of libraries in Los Angeles and a celebration of libraries in general. Mixing in history of the head librarians of Los Angeles (many of whom were women much earlier than anywhere else in the country) with stories and anecdotes from librarians who currently work at the Central Library. Orlean juxtaposes the optimistic and bootstrap attitudes of librarians with the destructive nature of the fire (and the challenges facing libraries in general). Orlean also spends much time looking into the man who was claimed to have started the fire as an act of arson. She casts doubts on the conviction of many people that he was the one responsible for it - reviewing the scene using more current arson investigation techniques, a perspective is put forward that there is no possible way to make a claim of what actually started the fire in a particular location. Orlean's writing is bright and fast paced, with the ability construct brilliant scenes and to keep a cohesive whole while juggling asynchronous narratives. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to read, appreciates books, and particularly fans of the library.

Okay! Time to explain myself.
In <i>The Library Book</i> Orlean aims to offer a well-rounded discussion of libraries, rooted by the story of the Los Angeles Library fire in 1986. When I read the summary of this book, there was a lot of emphasis placed on the library fire, which really drew me in. I was curious to learn more about it, and hoped this book would provide a detailed, exciting explanation. Instead, I found Orlean's narrative style rather choppy, and lacking focus.

The narrative is hard to follow, especially since Orlean introduces so many different 'story lines'—historical (sometimes multiple historical threads going at once), observational, her own memories— and then alternates between each one in chapters that vary in length. While this usually keeps a book moving and helps me maintain focus, I found it hard to remember the details of the previous section on that same topic when I returned to a chapter on that same topic.

Since Orlean jumps between all these topics so often, it makes the whole narrative hard to follow, and creates a lack of focus in general. While I appreciate library history and all the other details Orlean explored, I wanted to learn more about the fire itself. It was hard to mush all the different chapters I had read about the fire into one coherent story, since all the chapters are broken up and separated. I feel like this book should be marketed less as one about the fire, and one more about libraries (or the LA central library) in general. I think that would have helped me 'tame' my expectations regarding the focus of the book.

My last complaint is that sometimes Orlean gets so deep in small plot points that really have no purpose. She goes on and on with small, topical details about library history, which especially began to grate on me in the end. I felt that the book really dragged on in the end, as I began to get sick of the lack of focus on the fire, and the endless, seemingly meaningless, details about the library, or libraries in general. I felt like Orlean was listing trivia points for no point other than to show off all the weird things she discovered during her research. It would have been nice to see all these details cohered into some sort of larger purpose, but that didn't happen.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but as I continued, I began to get more frustrated. If you are curious about library history and the LA public library system, then I would definitely read this book, just to learn some history. Orlean's writing is strong and propels the book forward, at least making this a pleasurable read. I did really enjoy parts of this book, so I can't completely write it off.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I remember when I first heard there was a place where one could borrow all the books one wanted to read.

My elementary school, Philip Sheridan, was brand new and filled with recently published children's books. There was a small library in my second-grade classroom and after the teacher read a book out loud to the class I would borrow it and read the book myself. Then I started to pick up other books, like the biography of Robert Louis Stevenson which I read over and over. I knew his book of children's poetry A Child's Garden of Verses--now I knew there was a man behind the words.

When the teacher said there was a whole building of books called a library I went home and asked my mother if she would take me to the library.

She said I was too young and a year passed before we walked down the road to the Sheridan Parkside Library and I got my first library card. It was so hard to choose my three books! I borrowed Follow My Leader, which our teacher had read to the class, a history of Australia because I had an Australian pen pal, and D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths.

Wherever we moved, I continued to frequent libraries. And when our son was born, I would put him in the stroller and walk to the local library. As a preschooler, he would borrow 15 books a week. As a high schooler, he volunteered at the library resale bookstore. I joined book clubs at the local library wherever we moved. I made friends with librarians at the smaller libraries and the staff would know us. But I had never given much thought about everything that goes on to make a library run.

I had enjoyed Susan Orlean's book Rin Tin Tin: The Life and Legend and that motivated me to want to read The Library Book. As I read it I found myself thinking about the many libraries in my life, appreciating them more and more.

Orlean begins with stories of libraries in her life growing up and how she wanted her son to have the same experience. Going to the Los Angeles Central Library, one of the most beautiful buildings she had ever seen, she learned about the April 29, 1986 fire that destroyed a million books.

Why don't we remember this event? Chernobyl took over the news that week.

Orlean's book is a history of the Los Angeles Central Library, the investigation into the fire, the extraordinary work to save the books, and an exploration into the role of libraries in society today.

When investigators can't determine the cause of a fire it is considered arson, and then comes the search for the person who started the fire. The case centered on Harry Peak, a fabulist with a deep need for attention.

We meet the memorable people who make the library run and see how the library functions in today's society as a democratic, open, public space. The LA library has developed outreach programs to the homeless and unemployed and offers a safe place for teenagers.

Libraries everywhere are changing to meet the needs of its community. Digital books audiobooks are available to download to electronic devices. In our small suburban city full of young families the library has intergenerational coloring days, reading to pets, speakers and concerts, Lego days, movies, card making, scrapbooking, magic shows, and of course book clubs and summer reading programs.

I enjoyed the book as history and for its insights into an institution sometimes considered outdated, but which the Millennial generation has embraced. Most of all, I am grateful that Orlean has made me better appreciate librarians and library staff for their contributions.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Mystery, subtle humor, book burning, history, quirky characters, amazing writing: The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a joy and a treasure for bibliophiles or readers of any ilk.
Orleans combines an enormous amount of captivating details about books, libraries, destruction and burning, growth and rebirth the into this well organized account focusing on the Los Angeles Central Library and the devastating arson fire of 1986. The details are absorbing, never cumbersome. The first Los Angeles library opened in 1973. “Membership was five dollars a year. At the time, five dollars represented several day’s pay for an average worker, so only affluent people were able to join. Library rules were schoolmarmish and scoldy.” Men had to remove their hats. Patrons were discouraged from reading too much fiction. Women could not use the main facilities, but had a “Ladies Room” with magazines. Children were not allowed in the library. This was only 83 years before I was born. I’m so astounded I did the calculations twice. I take so much for granted regarding the privilege of libraries and reading.
It is clear that Orleans loves books and libraries and has a personal relationship with them. “a library is an intricate machine, a contraption of whirring gears,… it is as much a portal as it is a place – a transit point, a passage.” She speaks of soothing library noise – “not a din, not a racket, just a constant, warm, shapeless sound – space inhabited peacefully and purposefully by many strangers.”
Her library memories reminded me of biking to the school library in the summer, back in the days when kids had more freedom and my bike had one gear. Our school library didn’t have much ‘modern stuff’ in its 100 year old building, so I grew up with Oliver Twist and Tom Sawyer, the March sisters, and Call of the Wild, imagining worlds far different than my protected suburbia.
Chapter 9, on book burning, both fascinated and grieved me. The first recorded instance of book burning was in 213 BC in China. “War is the greatest slayer of libraries…..The Nazis alone destroyed an estimated hundred million books during their twelve years in power….In Poland, eighty percent of all books in the country were destroyed. In Kiev, German solders paved the streets with reference books from the city’s library to provide footing for their armored vehicles in the mud….By the end of the war, more than one third of all the books in Germany were gone.”
Orleans observes, “Burning books is an inefficient way to conduct a war, since books and libraries have no military value, but it is a devastating act. Destroying a library is a kind of terrorism. People think of libraries as the safest and most open places in society…All the wonder and failures, all the campions and villains, all the legends and ideas and revelations of a culture last forever in its books.”
The Library Book is also subtle humor and women’s history. Mary Foy, an early L.A. librarian “pursued overdue fines with a vengeance, depositing them in a leather purse she wore slung across her chest like a bandolier.” The library board voted to remove her when they reasoned her father was doing well enough financially to take care of her.
Charles Lummis, a colorful Los Angeles librarian, had “talent for poetry, but his greater talent was for self-promotion.” Orleans tells of Mary Jones, whom Lummis replaced because the board thought a man better suited to the Job. A thousand women marched to support Mary, the mayor fired the library board, they refused to be fired… You’ll just have to read the book to find out more.
In an age of computers and declining readership, it is heartening to know that libraries are evolving, reaching out in ways beyond books. In times of trouble, libraries are sanctuaries. They become community centers and blood draw locations, tutoring dens, and reading Edens. “All things that are wrong in the world seem conquered by a library’s simple unspoken promise; Here is my story, please listen; here I am, please tell me your story.”
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for granting access to an arc of this book for an honest review.

As a future librarian this book was off the charts for me! I related to and loved so much of "The Library Book." Susan Orlean (bestselling author of "Rin Tin Tin" and "The Orchid Thief") retells the true story of a massive fire at the Central Branch Library in L.A. in 1986. During the writing of this books she spent an immense amount of time in the L.A. library system and interviewed and shadowed current and former librarians and staff. Besides detailing the horrendous fire: 400,000 books were destroyed, an additional 700,000 had smoke and water damage, as well as losing decades of census records, historic maps, and one of the first translations of the Bible, “it was the greatest loss to any public library in the history of the United States.”

Besides documenting the library fire and the subsequent arson investigation, Orlean details the history of the first library in Los Angeles, the early librarians, and the construction of the Central Branch by architect Bertram Goodhue. She weaves the stories of the patrons, librarians, staff, firefighters, into this heartfelt book. I highly recommend this to book to all library users, librarians, and bibliophiles.

"The library is a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them."

"A book feels like a thing alive in this moment, and also alive on a continuum..."

"The library is an easy place to be when you have no place you need to go and a desire to be invisible."

Writing a book, just like building a library, is an act of sheer defiance. It is a declaration that you believe in the persistence of memory.

"… being a librarian is an opportunity to be a social activist championing free speech and immigrant rights and homelessness concerns while working within the Dewey Decimal System."

"Public libraries in the United States outnumber McDonald’s; they outnumber retail bookstores two to one."

I'm not sure there was truly a satisfactory amount material here for a book, but there's enough good content to make this worth checking out (library pun intended!) anyway.

The fire and subsequent arson trial at the center of the story are interesting and Orlean narrates them well. Though it's frustratingly inconclusive in the end, that's not the fault of the author. However, that did make me wish I got more out of the other components of the book than I did.

I could have done completely without the Rah Rah Libraries! chapters. While I'd be the first to agree that books and libraries are an exceptional and important community resource, I highly doubt there's anyone seeking out a book like this who doesn't know that, and the information isn't new or compelling enough to keep the reader interested anyway.

The historical chapters were kind of a mixed bag. The general history of libraries was excellent. The history of the Los Angeles libraries was up and down. Some phases and components of it were fascinating, others dragged badly and prompted me to start skimming.

Though this was a relatively quick read, it definitely could have benefitted from being edited down significantly. There's a lot here that I could have done without. That said, there's enough good content here to make the book worth a read.

I very much enjoyed reading this book about the Los Angeles Public Library system. I learned so much that I never knew before. I did think I would get more resolve regarding the fire and the mystery behind it but that isn't always the case with real life events. I would recommend this book to all librarians and library lovers, I am just not sure that my patrons would enjoy this book only because I don't think they have a vested interest in the city of LA.

On April 29, 1986 the Central Los Angeles Public Library burned, destroying over 400,000 items from their collection. The building burned for more than 7 hours and reached temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees. Built to house 1,000,000 items, in 1986 the library was stuffed with more than 2,000,000, and over half were damaged or destroyed by the flames and the water used to fight the fire. Yet it barely made the national news because the largest library fire in American history was upstaged by the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.
The next morning over 2000 volunteers boxed and moved waterlogged books into borrowed commercial freezers to prevent mold spores from growing. It took 3 days, round-the-clock to empty the building.

Almost immediately the fire was blamed on arson and a composite drawing showed a possible suspect to be a tall, blue-eyed, blond haired man who had been spotted in the library about the time of the first fire alarm. His name: Harry Peak and he was 27.

With this telling Susan Orleans has given readers a tribute to books and libraries and a fascinating account of the larger than life characters, vibrant history and the true crime that rocked the Los Angeles library. I know that many IGers frequent their local libraries so show this book some love. It’s a pretty fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the care and feeding of one of our favorite institutions. And no, Amazon cannot replace libraries!l

Although the Los Angeles Library fire is an interesting framework, this book is about so much more. I learned about the history of the LA library, and libraries in general, as well as how they have evolved to fit different times. I had no idea that libraries did so much community outreach - although I should have realized it, because our city library is amazing. This also brought back some very happy memories of my many childhood trips to the library.

The book is extremely accessible and not dry - I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys or enjoyed going to their public library.