Love love love love this book. I read it during the early stages of pandemic lockdown in 2020, when I was *inhaling* books to stave off a nervous breakdown (or something) and I returned to it a few weeks ago, sort of to do the same. Here's what I said about it in my (now mostly defunct) reading newsletter back in 2020. I think I stand by it:
The Library Book is a true crime story about a fire at the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library and the troubled man who may or may not have started it. Actually, scratch that. It’s a love letter to the DTLA Public Library in the guise of storytelling about its history, inner workings, and dedicated staff. Hmmm… scratch that, too. It’s in-depth reporting about the modern role of public libraries in our cities, especially Los Angeles, grounded in several compelling character studies.
The Library Book is all of those things, and more. Organized like a library (by topic instead of chronology) it will make you laugh, make you think, and make you head to your local library branch for your own shiny new library card if you don’t have one already. At a minimum, it’ll make you want to visit the DTLA Public Library. (Let me know when you’ve got that urge — I’ll meet you there!)
Original, thorough, and compelling, The Library Book is a beautifully written page-turner about what you might previously have thought was a staid topic.
Just bought it! Libraries were so important to me as a kid. I walked alone as 8 year old to my local library and stayed for hours. I feel so old just writing that sentence and sad knowing that others won’t feel the independence and wonder I felt.
I loved todays newsletter because I love libraries. Thank you!
Yes!! What a great memory! I also have so many great childhood library memories including one of only two times I got in trouble in my entire school history which was refusing to read an grade level book (I was well past grade level.) libraries are the best and so are you
Love love love love this book. I read it during the early stages of pandemic lockdown in 2020, when I was *inhaling* books to stave off a nervous breakdown (or something) and I returned to it a few weeks ago, sort of to do the same. Here's what I said about it in my (now mostly defunct) reading newsletter back in 2020. I think I stand by it:
The Library Book is a true crime story about a fire at the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library and the troubled man who may or may not have started it. Actually, scratch that. It’s a love letter to the DTLA Public Library in the guise of storytelling about its history, inner workings, and dedicated staff. Hmmm… scratch that, too. It’s in-depth reporting about the modern role of public libraries in our cities, especially Los Angeles, grounded in several compelling character studies.
The Library Book is all of those things, and more. Organized like a library (by topic instead of chronology) it will make you laugh, make you think, and make you head to your local library branch for your own shiny new library card if you don’t have one already. At a minimum, it’ll make you want to visit the DTLA Public Library. (Let me know when you’ve got that urge — I’ll meet you there!)
Original, thorough, and compelling, The Library Book is a beautifully written page-turner about what you might previously have thought was a staid topic.
Um, is it too late for me to delete this whole newsletter and just print this beautiful piece of prose?!?
Just bought it! Libraries were so important to me as a kid. I walked alone as 8 year old to my local library and stayed for hours. I feel so old just writing that sentence and sad knowing that others won’t feel the independence and wonder I felt.
I loved todays newsletter because I love libraries. Thank you!
Yes!! What a great memory! I also have so many great childhood library memories including one of only two times I got in trouble in my entire school history which was refusing to read an grade level book (I was well past grade level.) libraries are the best and so are you
Hope you’re doing well. Can’t wait for the next issue!