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The Library Book

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Member Reviews

Wonderful book by a favorite author. If you love reading and libraries, you should buy this book! It describes in detail the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library and the conservation efforts that were taken, as well as the attempts to find a supposed arsonist.

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This is a timely and lovely portrait of a cultural necessity, libraries and the strange and wonderful things and people you see in them. It was so well written, detailed, and delightful. I thought Orlean captured the human nature and unique eccentricity of libraries and how treasured they really are. I think this is a great book for anyone who loves books or just human stories about culture and learning. Its so well written.

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I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This book had me from the very beginning. I love that it kept me engaged the entire time. I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I would highly recommend to all my fellow readers. Thank you for the chance to review this book!

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As a lover of libraries, I wish I could have given this book a five. The book does provide some interesting information about the Los Angeles Public Library. However, the book misses some of the reasons that people love libraries and seems to follow a formula common in modern nonfiction.

The strengths of the books is that it provides a history of the Los Angles library and the people involved in running this institution. The book provides some interesting facts about the physical structure of the building. I found parts about the arson much more informative than I thought I would.

However, the book seems to follow a modern formula. I have reviewed several nonfiction books that seem to follow this formula. The book is basically a history/sociology book. However, the book is marketed as part "mystery" which I feel is done to make it sell. The author puts some information in about themselves and their motivations for writing the book in the main part of the book where I feel it is irrelevant.

Ms. Orlean says she wrote this book in part as a tribute to her mother who loved libraries. While this is a noble to write a book of about libraries, I feel this information belongs in the preface and acknowledgements of the book not in the main section.

Furthermore, Ms. Orlean states that she herself is not a big user of the library. She prefers to buy her own books. Therefore she herself is not an example of a libriayphile. She needed to found more library enthusiasts for her book. The book does not answer the question of why people made this major effort to save the library after the fire.

Some of my problems of the book may have to do with the Los Angeles public library. I was sad to see how much the homeless dominate the Los Angeles library. I think the Boston Public Library and some of the suburban libraries around Boston have tried to keep liberties to their original purpose; for people to do research and take out books. I am not saying that we should not help the homeless but rather that the public libraries should be for ALL not just the homeless.

Furthermore I like hanging out at the library. One aspect of libraries that I like is that they are one of the few remaining institutions in the United States that both the very poor and uneducated and the upper class use. Students and people who use libraries a lot will still like the fact that you can take out books for free. If you read a lot (more than a book a week) the cost of books can be prohibitive. Also if you live in a small place what is one supposed to do with all the books one’s read? I am a traditionalist in regards to libraries. I believe their primary purpose will continue to be as a place that people can both do research and take out books.

Thus, while the Library Book provided some interested history on the Los Angeles Public library, I felt it missed some of what makes libraries both well-loved and enduring institution.

I received a few copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a well written, researched, combination of history facts and good storytelling. I think people who love history will really love this book. I wanted to live this book but it's not my regular cup od coffee and was difficult for me to get through. I would still recommend it, though, because I know a few readers who would love it.

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I was working as an intern for the Los Angeles Conservancy in 1993, when the repairs to the Central Library were completed and the library reopened. The Conservancy (which was founded by the same preservationists who fought to save the historic building) held their annual charity fundraising auction in the new library, and I have been completely infatuated with the building ever since.

When I saw this book was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested to read it. I had read other books and articles by Susan Orlean in the past, and was looking forward to reading her take on this building. And I was not disappointed. Orlean provided a thorough history of the institution, which has had its fair share of Los Angeles strangeness built in from the very beginning. One of the early chief librarians was Charles Lummis, a Harvard dropout who was offered a job as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times in 1884. A resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lummis decided, Forrest-Gump-like, to walk across the country from Cincinnati to LA--a choice that offers a premonition of the quirkiness of his character throughout his life. He was an inveterate womanizer, magazine editor, champion of the native peoples of the American Southwest as well as the head of the library. He is named as one of the earliest examples of the Southern Californian free spirit in the book Bohemia in Southern California.

The man who was accused of setting the catastrophic fire that gutted the library in 1986 was also a classic LA character--a wannabe actor who never told a story the same way twice, and who counted the leader of a charismatic religious organization as his alibi.

One of the elements I wasn't expecting was the affection for libraries and this particular library that is clear in Orlean's writing. She begins the book by telling the reader of her own early experiences with her neighborhood library, and how her fond memories from that time led her to undertake the research that resulted in this book.

Her in-depth history of the library itself, both the building and the Los Angeles Library as an institution, as well as her descriptions of the physical structure of the building, the mystery surrounding the fire, and the interesting process of trying to salvage as many books as possible after the fire made this a fascinating read. I also appreciated that she brought the story of the library right up to present day, including a discussion of the libraries changing role as a result of the rise of e-books and the redevelopment/gentrification of its downtown Los Angeles location.

I know not everyone will have the same personal connection to this building that I do, but I think this book will provide an interesting read to anyone who might want to learn more about the history of Los Angeles as a city and the changing role that libraries play in current society.

I received an advanced reading copy from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. Thanks!

After arriving in LA, he was fairly quickly let go from the TimesEven so, I was surprised by how much affection Orlean expressed for the building and the institution of the Los Angeles Library. was reopened after the

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Starting with a description of the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles public library that damaged over one million books, Susan Orleans investigates not only the arson but the history of libraries in the community. She touches on gender roles in libraries, architecture, social services and the various controversies that surround this beloved (by some) institution.

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Writing: 5 Topic coverage: 5

Ostensibly the story of the massive 1986 fire that brought the Los Angeles Central Library to its knees, this book is so much more. With captivating prose, Susan Orleans tells the broader story — many meticulously researched threads exploring the fire itself, the arson investigation, the mechanics of book restoration, the building architecture, and the history of the L.A. library and of libraries in general. Sprinkled throughout are biographical vignettes of the players: librarians and Library Directors, volunteers who came in droves to help with the book rescue, firefighters, arson investigators, security chiefs and the hapless man accused of setting the fire. Each chapter starts with the catalog records of three to four relevant books and proceeds to delve into one of the threads in a little more depth.

The story is a very personal one for the author as well — her love of books and libraries shines through brightly. One (short) chapter covered the emotional trials involved with her actually trying to burn a book in order to experience the physical process.

Some tidbits:

• In Senegal a polite way of saying someone has died is to say that his or her library has burned.
• The shipping department moving books between branches: “It is as if the city has a bloodstream flowing through it, oxygenated by books.”
• “A library is a good place to soften solitude; a place where you feel part of a conversation that has gone on for hundreds and hundreds of years even when you’re alone.”
• A particularly impressive map collection — “it was one more piece of the bigger puzzle the library is always seeking to assemble — the looping, unending story of who we are”

Normally not a big non-fiction reader, I was absolutely unable to set it down and polished it off in a couple of days. Great for fans of Mary Roach.

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I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The author has a way with words! I will definitely recommend this book to my fellow readers!!! Thank you for the chance to review this book!!!!!

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"The Library Book" skillfully weaves a whodunnit about a catastrophic fire at the Los Angeles Public Library with a broader exploration of libraries and the role they play now and have played historically. As with her earlier best-seller, "The Orchid Thief," Orleans writes about her personal interactions with some of the subjects of her book and her own experiences at libraries. The book shifts back and forth in time and perspective. One chapter may be an exploration of the science of the fire that nearly destroyed the library. The next chapter may be an examination of the history and meaning of the destruction of libraries. The next chapter may be a discussion of how modern libraries function and serve the community. Although the structure can at times be disjointed, the content is always entertaining.

"The Library Book" is a great read for anyone who loves books, reading, libraries and history with a generous dash of true crime mixed in.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a pre-release copy of this novel in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Library by Susan Orlean is the story of the Los Angeles Public Library which burned down in 1986. While the subject matter was interesting, once I got through the details of the fire, I found the book difficult to get through, and did not finish. I feel that a librarian or a library enthusiast would love this book, but I found it very hard to get into.

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I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to read this amazing story.
First thing I need to note is that Orleans’ writing style was so beautifully addicting, I was immediately sucked in and could not stop reading.
The overall story was about the 1986 fire at the Central LA Library, but the author delved into the complete history of the library as well. I will say some times from chapter to chapter it felt a little jumpy, because she tried to incorporate her modern day interviews with her story of Harry Peak the suspected arsonist and with the history of the library. At times I had to pause to figure out where I was in time, was I in the early 1900s? Was it 1986? Was it 2015? That was my only plight in this whole book. It was super well researched and it brought feelings of nostalgia and all my childhood days at the Tustin Public Library with my family. It also sparked in me a profound appreciation for our public libraries all over the world.

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This is a book about libraries for librarians and anyone else who has ever stepped foot on a library. If I weren't already a librarian, I would want to be one after reading this in depth history of the LA Central Library...and libraries in general.

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Vintage Orlean. Few writers can take something so seemingly bland and then spin a gripping and informative yarn about these things before our very eyes.

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Libraries are my sacred places, so this was a fascinating read for me. Few of us get to experience the workings of the whole organism called the public library. Expertly researched, this book breathes life into the complex web of the library system, and demonstrates its importance to the community.

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The best possible book for a book lover! Great pace, loads of lovely details about the history of books, and a compelling mystery that ties it all together and keeps the pages turning.

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I loved this book! I was completely drawn in to the telling of the library fire and loved the background given about libraries in general. Having spent a vast proportion of my life in various libraries, the stories of the many different patrons of libraries and the wonderful staff that can be found there was truly heartwarming. Highly recommended, thanks NetGalley!

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An interesting topic and an interesting read. I wouldn't say the book is entirely about the library fire, rather, it is about libraries as a whole. There is definitely a lot of interesting information presented in this book- a lot of random information, but still interesting. The one thing I didn't like was when the author referred to her own personal experiences- this is just a pet peeve of mine but I really don't like when authors bring themselves into the stories. I just want the facts/story with personal tidbits.

The writing was entertaining without being irritating. Orlean does a decent job of describing things beautifully while sticking to the important information. I would look for more books by this author in the future.

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When The Library Book began, I found myself enthralled and fully immersed with what author Susan Orlean was displaying on the page. Fortunately, that element is continued throughout the book, creating a highly detailed read that ranks as one of the most informative of the year. However, even though there is a strong abundance of information to savor, the inclusion of some irrelevant details and even entire sequences causes the book to be both ambitious and over-reaching. Quickly into the experience, the focus of Orlean’s research shifts in such a drastic way, that it tarnishes the stellar content she fuses into each page. Ultimately, The Library Book is a faulted read due to its overly ambitious design, but still remains entertaining and informative throughout its lengthy page count even with a clear abundance of irrelevant content.
What is ultimately the strongest aspect of the book is what it sets up from the very first page. Right from the start, Orlean appears keen on exploring the tragedy of the 1986 Los Angeles Library fire. This thread of the book is masterful in both its design and execution. Uncovering hidden details about the primary suspect Harry Peak was a fascinating ride that almost felt like a quality mystery novel at times. It is a pure shame then that the focus of the title drifts so dearly off course.
As suggested by its title, The Library Book is practically a detailed history of libraries, even including the very creation of the place. While I often found myself charmed with the passion of the topic that Orlean was displaying, I couldn’t help but notice how disjointed the plot thread was with the primary story. In fact, during the confusing time jumps between the place in the history that Orlean was exploring and the fire itself, I had to flip back a few pages just to note where the book was. As a lengthy read, it should not make readers do that. Unlike works like Inception or Dunkirk, the reason for these confusing time breaks is never explained, much less given a proper reason for its existence. Not once during the entire read did I think that it was a worthy addition to the story, that enhanced the experience. In addition, the sheer abundance of this second plot thread confused and deterred me as a reader and fan of the original story. I estimate it takes up more than half of the entire book, causing the pacing to drag to a sluggish and boring speed. Through the week it took to read the title, it never felt as if the writing was ever rewarding enough for my patience and perseverance through its slaggy pacing. It felt like a forced hobby at times, an experience that no author should strive for their readers to feel.
Despite these critical flaws that nearly puncture the book to its death, this title by the author of The Orchid Thief is still able to succeed thanks to just how descriptive and informative it actually is. It is clear from the very start the amount of effort and hard work that Orlean has put into the book. Each new bit of research feels meticulous and detailed, but is never so overbearing as to where I lost my interest. Even though the book was drab and slow, I never gave up on the title as it had these bits of information that proved to be some of the most interesting facts that I have heard in recent memory. In fact, as stated before, The Library Book is one of the, if not the most informative reads of 2018. No other book this year has displayed such a meticulous work of research and information. Based on this one element alone is the confusing storytelling of the book redeemed. Any avid reader or fan of libraries shouldn’t hesitate to pick up this October title just for the information alone.
As a whole, Susan Orlean’s The Library Book is nothing short of a mixed experience. It may feature one of the worst forms of non-fiction storytelling in recent memory due to its drab pacing and overly ambitious design. But it redeems those critical flaws through Orlean’s light and speedy writing style and the sheer abundance of information for readers to devour. It may not be the best book of the year, but it is a worthy read that ultimately still deserves a place as one of the best books that I have read in recent memory.

Score: 7.2 out of 10

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Thank you NetGalley, Susan Orlean and Simon and Schuster Publishing for giving me this ARC of The Library Book before its publication date in exchange for an honest review!! I love love loved this book. I love love love you guys. Group hug!

I’m going to start by saying that before reading this book, I had no idea about the fire at Los Angeles’ Central Public Library. How did I not know about this?! I felt so stupid for even calling myself a book and history lover without never before hearing about this tragedy. If you love history, read this book. If you love books, read this book. If you love libraries, read this book. If you love reading, read this book. This book was unlike anything I have ever read. It combined two things I enjoy to read and discuss: history and books. I was NOT expecting to love this book. I immediately had low expectations because I am not a fan of nonfiction. My experience with nonfiction books are typically dull, boring, how much longer until this is over kind of reads. However.. this book was a dream. I was hooked by page 9.. and yes I did book mark page 9 so I could recall just when I knew this book had me under its spell. I also loved the description of libraries in this book. Not just the LA Library, but libraries all over the world. The history tucked into this book was a sweet treat I was not expecting to get.

Please read this book. The library is where I first fell in love with books. With reading. With literature. You will learn so much about the world around you and how some countries deliver books on donkeys from town to town because they have no other way of spreading the joy that is a book. We are so lucky. We have access to books at our fingertips and access to whatever public library that is nearest to us. I had no idea until reading this book what all librarians do and what all libraries contain. It was seriously mind boggling.

The Library Book is a gift to any bibliophile. Preorder this book and get excited to read a story about books and libraries and just how important they are. Susan Orlean will capture you immediately and leave you feeling warm and cozy with her wit, knowledge and obvious passion for all things books. J.K. Rowling said it best..

When in doubt, go to the library.

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