I really enjoyed the mystery of the LA Library fire, but I also enjoyed just the overall history of the libraries and those who work for the public good that flitted in and out of the memoir.

This book was slower than I expected. I kind of meandered my way through the second half, reading it over the space of weeks. It was almost like reading a fire, initially hot and fast-paced and then a very slow burn to ash. I really want to like the book better than I did, but it felt like it tried to be too many things. There was too much disparate information to be just about one library, but too much concentrated story on the one particular library to be a general library history. Maybe if I'd been able to concentrate on the book and read it through in a few days, it would have made more of an impact. I truly feel disappointed when a book that I can tell took a lot of work is just kind of meh to me, but so it is. And that's why libraries have lots of books.

An incredible achievement, The Library Book is part history and part mystery, part personal reflection and part investigative journalism, subjective and objective almost simultaneously. It celebrates the author's relationship with books, libraries and her mother while also pondering the mystery of the fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Central Library in 1986, and a million books in the process. Gripping, thought-provoking and profound, The Library Book is wonderful non-fiction, expertly evoking time and place and character, even making something as potentially dry as local politics utterly fascinating. Switching with aplomb from the past to the present, from librarians long gone to libraries of the future, this is the kind of book that has you desperate to make a gift of it to every bibliophile you know. Simply outstanding.

"I have come to believe that books have souls—why else would I be so reluctant to throw one away?"

When I first started The Library Book, I thought it was going to be a book about the fire that took place at the Central Library in LA back in 1986. And while Orlean does discuss that event in great depth, including details about the investigation and subsequent court cases surrounding it, she also talks about the science of arson and the progress that has been made in that area since this fire occurred. The book is written in alternating chapters starting with the fire and working up to the present time of her investigation. In the alternate chapters, Orlean talks about the history of libraries and librarians and how those individuals helped to shape what libraries look like today and the functions they serve.

To say I loved this book would be an understatement of epic proportions. Orlean is incredibly adept at capturing parts of history and turning them into a book as compelling and page turning as any great mystery or thriller. Learning about the fire at Central Library was fascinating and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the power and magnitude of the fire that raged for more than seven hours and destroyed over four hundred thousand books. The fire captain described the fire as being so hot that it was completely colorless so that they were able to see through it to the other side of the room. Of all the crazy things I learned while reading this book, that one has stayed with me.

Before reading this book, I had no real idea of what it meant to be a librarian beyond the functions I see them serve any time I visit–they help answer questions, find books and other resources, and make recommendations. But libraries function as so much more than a place to go to check out books and use the internet. They are open and free to everyone, welcome everyone, and provide vital functions to those who may not have access otherwise. Because of this, along with all of the basic straightforward functions a librarian serves, they also play the role of a social worker. If I could go back and do it all again, I would do whatever it took to become a librarian without doubt or hesitation.

"Every problem that society has, the library has, too, because the boundary between society and the library is porous; nothing good is kept out of the library, and nothing bad."

I am immensely glad that I read The Library Book. Because I lack free time and read to escape, making the conscious choice to pick up a nonfiction book does not happen often. This book did not feel like so many of the nonfiction books I’ve read in the past. It was never a dry presentation of facts, but a story full of wit, unforgettable characters, and compelling history woven together into a story I found impossible to put down. Susan Orlean has written several other books, and I will definitely be looking into those soon. If you are a lover of books and the library and enjoy history, you should not hesitate to pick this one up.

A big giant thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

Brilliant book! It opens with the fire that consumed the books of the Los Angeles Public Library in April, 1986.
The story encompasses so much more. The reader is taken on a journey of library discovery. We learn the history of libraries from their humble beginnings to the purposes of libraries today which involve all aspects of life everywhere.
The world of the librarian is explored. We learn the history of the library leaders who were so diverse and fascinating. Orlean relates her fascination with libraries from early times when she and her mother went on memorable trips to select any books that interested her. What's especially riveting was the nature of the fire. Did Harry Peak, the accused, set the fire or not? The reader is left to decide because there there was never any definitive answer.
Orlean's love of libraries is apparent through the beauty of her writing.

Orlean weaves together 3 storylines in this book: one about the history of the LA library, one about the fire at the central library in 1987 and the man suspected of starting it, and one in the present day, following her research. On its own, none of these really make a substantial, attention-grabbing tale. But somehow, woven together, they make an engaging read. Such is Orlean's magic.

It's a love story to libraries in general, a history, and an update on what libraries do for us now. It's delightful.

I got a copy to review from Net Galley.

Once again Susan Orlean takes a relatively mundane subject and turns it into a compelling story. Although it begins with a spectacular, if awful, event -- a historic fire at the LA Library -- she takes off from there to explore the intricate life of the library and why it is such an important institution in America. Cherish your library card, people!

No matter how much I tried I wasn’t able to download this title from NetGalley. I haven’t had that issue with any other books so I’m not sure what happened this time. I was able to get a hard copy eventually so I could give a review. This is a book primarily about the fire that destroyed a library in LA, but it does pay tribute to other libraries. I normally don’t mind books with no pictures, but I feel like this could’ve used more pictures of libraries around the world. But overall this is a beautiful book. Thank you NetGalley!

What's not to love in a book about books? Non-fiction is not my usual genre but I had to go for this one and was not disappointed as it was easy and very interesting to read.

In April 1986, the same week as the Chernobyl meltdown, a fire burned in Los Angeles's Central Library for seven hours, destroying hundreds of thousands of books and damaging (directly or indirectly) hundreds of thousands more. No one really knows how it started, though an arrest was made of a possible arsonist.

Susan Orlean explores the past and present of the Los Angeles Public Library as well as the arson investigation, weaving interviews with current and retired staff with her own experiences at the library. The book is full of interesting tidbits and historical information. It's a fascinating read, and I really enjoyed it.

On a more personal level, it's very odd reading about people and places I know. I've worked for the LA Public Library since 2002; The Fire was well before my time, but a lot of the interviewees were familiar folks. There are a few inaccuracies here and there that jump out at me, but not enough to detract from the book overall.

How can a lover of books resist a book about books? Such was my own dilemma with The Library Book by Susan Orlean. This one is a bit out of my normal go to reads being that it is non-fiction but occasionally I can’t resist when the book is about something that interests me and this one fit the bill wonderfully.

THE LIBRARY BOOK by Susan Orlean was such an interesting read — I’ve never read anything quite like it. Orlean traces the origins of the Los Angeles Public Library (we’re talking the 1800’s here — super fascinating) until present day. The book specifically centers around the fire of April 28, 1986, when the LAPL burned down and more than 400,000 books were lost. Fast forward to thirty years later, and the mystery has yet to be solved: Who (if anyone) intentionally set fire to the library? Orlean puts her skills as a reporter to use, and the result is a mashup of intriguing history with a dash of mystery. One of the main reasons I enjoyed this book is because it’s an extensive look into the job title of “librarian.” I’ve always loved the library and the librarians who operate this magical space, but after reading this book I have a newfound appreciation for them and the hard work they do. If you’re a life-long library lover then definitely check out this book! Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free ecopy via NetGalley.

I absolutely adored this book. It very quickly became one of my favorite books of the year. The author made sure that the book was more than just about the arson, but also the impact of libraries in everyone's life, especially her own life. It was extremely quick and easy to read. When I first picked it up I thought it was going to focus just on the arson that occurred in the Library, but became pleasantly surprised when I realized that it was more than just about that, but also a love letter to libraries. I could not recommend this book enough, and will recommend it to everyone who even has a small positive experience with their local library growing up.

This must have been a very nicely written book. I wish I could've given it more time.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC, nonetheless.

Most of us haven’t heard of the massive fire in Los Angeles that burned half of the books in the central library in the mid 1980’s. Nor do we know of the accused arsonist or the first librarian in the city. But on Goodreads, we are book lovers with an often near-religious zeal for libraries and book stores. Author Susan Orlean has written a gripping tale that weaves these three strands together in a fascinating way. It’s a bit like a compelling magazine article or 60 Minute segment: human interest combined with facts. The characters are an unusual bunch and lend themselves to a good tale. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Library Book is a great example of what happens when you start to research something that catches your attention. It takes you from the original question to another and another and another and the next thing you know, it’s the middle of the night and you should have gone to bed hours ago.

Orlean was intrigued by the massive fire that burned through much of Los Angeles Central Library. She was amazed she had never heard of it since it was the largest library fire in America but learns it happened the day of Chernobyl. No one has been convicted of starting the fire, though there was one confounding suspect that fire authorities were convinced was guilty though he did not have the characteristics of a firebug, more of a fabulist. Where is the truth?

Where Orleans goes beyond that initial question is the history of the library and libraries, the many chief librarians and their effect on the library, how the library was very forward-thinking in terms of being part of the community and the technological innovations over the past century.


I expected to love The Library Book. I loved The Orchid Thief and have felt partial since she used to write for local alt-weekly The Willamette Week. Orlean is particularly good at noticing the little things, the details that make a description of a person sound real as well as the innovations that make a huge difference over time. While she claims to feel a bit uneasy among the homeless who are among the most faithful visitors to the Library, she is able to engage with everyone, making a connection with them that is profoundly humane.

If you like people, book, history, architecture, organizing, or community, you will find something of interest in The Library Book. While she organizes her book around the library, she reveals so much more about society and community and gives us a hopeful vision of the future.

I received an e-galley of The Library Book from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Library Book at Simon & Schuster
Susan Orlean author site

An interesting history of not only the LA Public Library fire, but of the library itself, with some additional nods to the history of librarianship. Orlean describes the LA Public Library in vivid detail and made me want to visit the landmark building someday!

I thought the summary of this book sounded very interested, but I just could not get into it. I got about 32% in before I just had to put it down. Not that this book was bad, I just wasn't interested in its contents. Susan writes in a very interesting way, going into great detail of employees of the library's lives. It went back and forth between the current library and when the fire happened. I just didn't find it interesting to read about the ins and outs of a library and all the details about specific people. I know a lot of people might find this very interesting though! Maybe I'll pick it up again in the future, but for now it just wasn't something that made me want to continue reading.

This was a fascinating book - I loved it! It told the story of the 1986 fire at the Central Library in Los Angeles as well as the story of the main suspect, Harry Peak and the history of the library and it's librarians. If you are thinking this does not sound at all interesting, you would be totally wrong. Susan Orlean is a wonderful writer and she presents the story and the history in such a way that you will not want to put the book down. Book lovers will thoroughly enjoy this book. It gave me a new appreciation for libraries and what they bring to our lives.

Nothing groundbreaking here for librarians, lol. But the story of the fire is super interesting, and the description of the various collections of the LAPL was awesome. I could have used more, tbh. Hello yes, I'm a librarian.

Still, solidly entertaining, and a good introduction to modern libraries.