Whether you're a librarian or simply a lover of libraries, this book will likely intrigue you. While part of the book is Orlean's detailed description of the terrible fire that devastated the LA Public Library in 1986 and the aftermath (and the investigation into who may have committed arson), it's also a look at the history and functions of libraries through the lens of one particular institution. It's fascinating to see the issues that this library is dealing with, and recognize the universal challenges and joys of the profession and institution.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a very highly recommended account of the history of the LA Public Library and the devastating 1986 fire.

Staff and patrons alike were surprised and shocked when the fire alarm that sounded on April 28, 1986 at the Los Angeles Public Library was not a false alarm. Once the fire started, it was a monstrous blaze that burned for more than seven hours. It took more than 3 million gallons of water to put it out. In the final tally it destroyed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Once investigators could examine the scene, there was an intense arson investigation and it was believed that a young actor, Harry Peak, started the fire.

The Library Book is a compelling and fascinating book. This isn't just a book about the arson investigation; it is actually a history of the library. Orlean covers the engrossing history of the numerous interesting characters in the history of the LAPL and its role in the city since 1872. The construction of the historic Goodhue Building in 1926 is detailed and how views about the building changed. It is clear that Orlean appreciates the crucial role libraries play in the community as she covers the myriad of ways the public library has changed and evolved in order to serve the community. And, yes, Orlean also looks into the life of Harry Peak, the suspected arsonist, and the investigation of the fire.

Orlean is, simply put, an extraordinary writer. She has a way of presenting all of her well-researched facts that makes the whole an intriguing and captivating account. The historical details and narratives of various characters in the history of the LAPL create a total picture that is better than many novels. The text is not linear; it does jump between time periods, from the history to the fire and subsequent arson investigation and attempt to save what books they could. The flow of the narrative is pitch-perfect. A book about a library might seem like a boring choice, but this account is full of intrigue, and interesting characters. I found myself engaged from beginning to end. This will surely make my top ten nonfiction books for the year as I really loved The Library Book.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
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I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading The Library Book, but I was hooked from the first pages. Orlean's description of her childhood days in a library brought me right back to my childhood memories. She captured all that libraries offer to those fortunate enough to enter their doors. The Library Book is a fascinating story that will leave readers reflecting on the impact their childhood library visits had on their world.

A treasure!
As a lifelong reader and library visitor, and a supporter of libraries, authors and books, this was a must-read for me. It is jam-packed with all kinds of information and insight about books & libraries, and readers & librarians, in history and in the present day! It is more than that, though, because it also covers facts about so many other things -- fire and arson investigations, restoring damaged books, the communities served by libraries, and many very interesting people who work at and visit libraries. All told in a very engaging way, with a great writing style! I loved the glimpses of the author’s own life and feelings, including her thoughts on writing this book, plus her observations and her interactions with others, which served to enhance the information and facts. I knew I was in for a treat because of the subject matter – books! – but had no idea just how wonderful it would be. It is obvious that Susan Orlean put her heart into this book. I will long treasure her work & words and the experience of reading “The Library Book”!

Sometimes you want to visit a city because of its library. If you are a bibliophile, that is. I haven’t been in Los Angeles yet, but one of the main reasons to visit the city, would be the public library in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Public Central Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

The Central Public Library has a long history, stretching back to the 1870s. In 1926, the library moved to its current place, in downtown Los Angeles, in an eccentric and very interesting building created by the proto-modernist architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue.

On the morning of April 29, 1986, the Library caught fire and burned. It was one of most challenging and destructive fires in the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department. It turned out to be the largest single library fire in the history of the United States. The loss was devastating. 400,000 books, a big part of the periodicals collection, historic maps, art prints, photographs and microforms were left destroyed—either burned in the fire, or soaked by the water used to extinguish the blaze. And the remaining books, about 700,000, were damaged by water or smoke, and threatened by rot.

In The Library Book, Susan Orlean writes about the Los Angeles Central Library and its history and particularly about the 1986 devastating fire. The book is also a tribune to libraries everywhere, why a library is a vital institution, and what libraries mean to her and to our communities.

The libraries came to my life when I moved from the small village I was born, to Athens, Greece. In the village, back then, having books at homes was not normal, but somehow I developed a passion for books. I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I remember. When I moved to Athens, the Public National Library became a second home. My visits were never long enough for me. It was a magical place, a place that welcomed everyone.

There is a quality in libraries. And it is this quality that Susan Orlean brings to this book. The library is a remarkable repository, not just of books, but also stories. She started spending time with the city librarians-some of them are truly fascinating figures- who had run the library over the years and found herself drawn into this amazing place. She decided to write about the library and the fire that almost destroyed it when one of librarians who was giving her a tour, pulled one of the books of the shelf and took a deep whiff of the book, saying “You can still smell the smoke.” It was then that she learned about the big fire of 1986 that closed the library for seven years.

The narrative in The Library Book is not a traditional one. Basically, it is a book with two stories. The first is a huge and meticulous research about the fire itself. It has been widely accepted that it was an arson but Susan Orlean suggests that, most probably, it was the result of a tragic accident. The second story is a fascinating history of Los Angeles Central Library. It is about the librarians, the patrons, the present life and the future of the library, about the importance of libraries. If you are a book lover, if you are a libraries lover or if you just want to read a compelling story, you would love this book.

What a shame. I work in a library and am amazed by it every day! I can't imagine a better place to spend a day. So many books, so little time. It's such a sad when a library gets destroyed. So much unique to that library gets lost and can't be recovered. Susan Orlean wrote a marvelous book about this special library. I remember hearing about it, but it being pre-internet days, probably not as much as we all would have heard about it had it happened even 10 years later. After having read this book I had to look up the actor, Harry Peak. As the cause of the fire was inconclusive, I guess he may well have just been shooting off his mouth. But I can say, it's a wonder more fires don't start i libraries what with folks smoking in the restrooms and some shady characters just creating havoc...I loved the stories about the various librarians that have worked at the L.A. library! Every old library has it's amazing people that become legend! maybe a book should be written about all of them! Still for anyone who loves libraries, this is a must read. Well researched and well written. Kudos Susan Orman!

As I read about the fire that devastated the Los Angeles Public Library over 30 years ago, I cried. Seriously, I cried. The shock and horror that must have enveloped the librarians and staff watching it go up in flames as hundreds of firefighters desperately battled to quench the beast reached me through the recitation of that day. The outpouring of help from city residents who formed a human chain to remove then box up what was left in the hopes that those books could be salvaged is only part of the testament to how important the public views libraries to be.

Woven through the story of the fire is the history of libraries and librarians in Los Angeles as well as the bizarre tale of the young man eventually accused of setting the blaze. The many services offered in modern libraries – several of which were pioneered in LA – along with the changed views and methods of arson investigation tell more about this place, the people who work here and the efforts to discover “whodunit.” Then, truly rising like a phoenix, the main library is reborn – the child of determined librarians, the public and some fascinating techniques to extract some the water (3 million gallons) poured on the books that day.

I found myself most interested in learning how the librarians in LA and around the world are reinventing library services as well as the story of and investigation into Harry Peak – the wannabe actor whose alibi and story of what he did that day changed countless times. Did he or didn’t he set the fire? Was it malicious arson, a momentary defiant act or just faulty wiring that finally caught up with a place with a long history of fire code violation warnings? The bits about the history of the library as well as some of the people who started it were less riveting.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon Schuster, and Susan Orlean for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book - anyone who grew up in libraries and loves books will treasure this book!

At its base, this book is about the Los Angeles Public Library and the fire that threatened to consume it in 1986 as well as the story of the main suspect in the fire. But it goes far beyond that - we learn not only the history for the LA Library but of libraries in general, here and around the world. While we learn about the fire and its devastation on the library itself, we also learn about the people who made the library what it is and those who continue that tradition into the current day. We learn what libraries mean to nations, communities, the homeless, and how libraries remain relevant in this internet age.

But most of all, this is a love story of books and what they mean to us. It will bring back childhood memories of being taken to the library and taking your children to the library. My dad is gone now, but some of my fondest memories where when he would take me to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base library where we would sit for hours reading and researching. Pre-google days, if I had a question he couldn't answer he would say, "Let's go to the library."

5 glowing stars to this book - don't miss it!

I really enjoyed reading this book. As a life-long book nerd, as soon as I read the blurb I decided that I HAD to read it and I am glad that I did.

The author takes us through the case of the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library but she also takes us through the history of libraries, in the US and in other places too. It was fascinating to read the ways that libraries have changed over the centuries and also how people in remote places have access to books.

I could relate when she spoke about going to the library as a child, as that was my experience too. My parents were migrants, without a lot of money, and going to the library was the highlight of my week when we first came to Australia. Exactly the same as the author, my mother and I would go into the library and immediately head on over to our own areas. We would meet up, each of us clutching either books (me) or magazines (her). When we got home, my mother would clean the cover of each book with a soapy cloth, because of the germs, you know, lol. When we still lived in Holland, my mother worked at a library for a short time and I would go to the library after school and wait for her there. This way, I spent a couple of hours each day at the library, exploring all the areas and probably accessing books that weren't wholly appropriate for me! I think this is when my love affair of books really took off, and when my world expanded. My father was in the Airforce, and so we lived in some places which were a little off the beaten track. Fear not, in those places was the book bus, which I happily accessed during my teenage years.

This book was a story about the fire, but it was about the librarians and the patrons too. How a library plays such a huge part in a community. This is certainly the case in my own community as well, a rural town of around 6000 people, which is about as far removed from the Los Angeles Public Library as you can get!

I highly recommend this book to any and all book lovers out there, it makes for fascinating reading.

4.5 stars for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster.

The Library Book is about much more than the tragic fire that the Los Angeles Public Library suffered in the 80’s. I had never heard of the fire before, and the focus on its main suspect didn’t sound all that interesting to me during the first few pages of the book. But I stuck with it because I love books and libraries (just like everyone else on Goodreads).

The author fluctuates between the following topics: the day of the fire itself, the investigation of Harry Peak (the only suspect), libraries in general, and the past, present, and future of the L.A. Public Library.

Susan Orlean writes in a very engaging manner, and you can tell that this book was <i>thoroughly</i> researched. Every time I had a question, she seemed to read my mind and answer it within the next paragraph. The beginning of each chapter is quite fun since she lists the catalogue information for five or so books whose titles tie into the topic of the chapter somehow.

The historic bits about the L.A. Public Library were especially interesting to me since they detailed the very unique personalities of its first head librarians, as well as the architectural story of the building.

Even though the subject of the fire is highly dramatic, I personally didn't care to hear about the investigation after a few chapters because a culprit was never found, and because Harry Peak's constant fibbing became tiresome to read about. His vanity got in the way of a good story. But if you're into true crime, there is plenty in here to pique your interest.

Overall, this is a fun micro-history, and I’d recommend it to fans of that genre, or to people who are curious about libraries in general.

In The Library, Susan Orlean has written a book that takes an institution we all are familiar with, most of us intimately from our own lives, then moves both inward to a closer look at Los Angeles Central Library and outward to the history of libraries in the United States and, more recently, the world.

As she begins with the Goodhue Library in L.A., the focus initially is on a disastrous fire which began on the morning of April 29, 1986. The fire was devastating but serves as a springboard for this book’s story of the development of the area and city of Los Angeles, the early identification of a need for some sort of library, the early characters and personalities of library employees and directors, and development of policies over the years as the library world itself grew and society changed.

Alongside the history of the library, Orleans also delves into the history of libraries in the United States and how they have both reflected and responded to major social changes. Through all the changes, war(s), the Great Depression, etc, even the move into the digital age, she finds that libraries have remained as centers of their communities.

There are anecdotes humorous, sweet and sad arising from Orlean’s interviews and research. Biographies of multiple interesting people involved with the library in L.A. And there is the side story of the investigation into the cause of the 1986 fire. The various strands are told in alternating chapters. I recommend this book for all of my library-loving, book-reading friends. I think you will all find memories from your lives in the The Library Book.

4.5*

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I liked most of this book, but sometimes it rambled and I would lose interest. Everything concerning the fire was so amazing, I wish there was a more clear cut explanation for its origin.

I don't know what I expected from 'The Library Book'. I thought it was going to be something great, since I didn't remember seeing even one bad review, but I simply couldn't understand how it could be THAT awesome.

Well, joke's on me, because it WAS! This is a book that has a right amount of everything in it. Stories and facts, serious and funny, uplifting and melancholic. And when you feel you've had enough of one - Orleans changes for the other. There's a lot of directions this book is going, and references all across, but somehow (at least to me) it was all magically traceable. At first I didn't understand the purpose of not having a clear, linear outline, I felt like the discussion was going on in kind of a zig-zaggy way. And it was. But that's what's awesome about it! Well, one thing that is.

While reading this non-fiction book, most of the time I didn't feel like I was actually reading something factual. It was the story of the library. The story of the fire. And also, the story of every single individuals mentioned. You can feel that the author actually cares about the people she meets while she researches for her book. She paints them very vividly, they seem like characters in a novel, not like data mentioned in a study. And not just the people - the places, too! I felt I was there. Places I've never visited before, places I haven't even seen a picture of seem to be familiar to me now. (Though to be fair, there are actual photos in the book - but I think the description is way more vivid!) 

I learnt so much from this book, but not in a textbookish way. It was all fun! I learnt of librarians and how colorful a company they are, of Los Angeles, of fire's nature, of arson investigations, even of the restoration of books damaged by fire and water. The author's person is also embedded in everything she writes about, but it's not TOO much. It's enough to give the book a soul, but not so much that it loses credibility of being non-fiction. I love that we get to see her thoughts both as a reader and a writer. Also, while it was all heartbreaking (I almost teared up when the day of the fire was describe), and I was so sad for all the books, she somehow managed to make me feel amazed by the elegantly powerful fire that has such a natural force I can barely fathom sitting here in my undisturbed little environment. That's something unique in a non-fiction book!

This was my first read by Susan Orleans, but I'm sure it won't be my last!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. It was an absolute honor to read this publication as it celebrates one of my favorite places: the library. I thoroughly enjoyed Orlean’s exploration of the cultural history and importance of the library. By using the Los Angeles Public Library system as an example, Orlean wonderfully documents this most noble institution and opened my eyes to the workings and professions of this truly amazing place. The twist of the Central Library arson mystery added a thread of intrigue that helped to exemplify Orlean’s journalist research skills. I especially relished the detailed touch of the book titles and their Dewey Decimal call numbers that proceeded each chapter. Overall, what a great book to illustrate society’s continued interest and investment in the library system, shedding light on past and future. And it is true, librarians are superheroes!

I loved this multi-themed book. It combines true crime, mystery and history - just a few of my favorite genres - and then to be about libraries and their staff?!? I devoured this book. I was captivated by the writing, intrigued by the mystery and taught by the history. If that isn't the sign of a good book, I don't know what is! I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Well-researched and beautifully written. This ode to libraries was built around the true life story of the arson the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library in the 1980s. What I enjoyed the most was learning new things about disparate topics like arson, California, and the history of libraries. The author has a gift for description. I found that I did not care too much about the arson suspect and his life, but the rest of the book was fascinating.
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Shuster, and Susan Orlean for an advanced electronic reading copy.

Susan Orlean's "The Library Book" opens with a graphic account of a devastating fire that occurred on April 29, 1986. The blaze burned for more than seven hours and damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of books in Los Angeles's Central Library. The investigators declared that the blaze was deliberately set, and their prime suspect was Harry Peak, a charming but irresponsible man who "had a gift for drama and invention." Did Harry Peak commit arson and, if so, why? Orlean discusses this controversial case at length, and comes to some surprising conclusions.

A prodigious amount of research went into this absorbing work of non-fiction. We learn about the horrifying history of book burning, particularly during the Spanish Inquisition, the Nazi era, and China's Cultural Revolution. In addition, Orlean traces the Los Angeles Public Library's origins, back when the city was far from the sprawling metropolis it is now. In the early years, the library had a number of directors, some of whom were wildly eccentric. A few of them, however, were visionaries who worked tirelessly to expand the library and make it more responsive to their community's needs. Furthermore, Orlean includes poignant passages in which she recalls visiting the library as a child, and more recently, with her son. She notes that libraries have changed markedly but still remain a home away from home for their grateful patrons.

With her vivid descriptive writing and eye for unusual and revealing details, the author brings her quirky cast of characters to life. In addition, she delves into such subjects as how libraries deal with the homeless and mentally ill; what being a librarian means to those for whom this profession is not just a job, but a calling; and the many services that libraries provide that go far beyond making books readily available. In today's digital age, libraries remain indispensable by offering classes and workshops, career counseling, and a large variety of entertaining and enlightening programs. What has not changed is the egalitarian nature of these irreplaceable institutions. Knowing that even with the challenges that modern libraries face, they continue to bring tremendous pleasure to kids, teens, and seniors, is a source of comfort to Susan Orlean and to the rest of us, as well. This book is a unique, meticulously crafted, and eloquent reminder of the importance of free access to information. It is our responsibility to make sure that our precious places of learning continue to grow and flourish.

Susan Orlean's 'The Library Book' is an inspiring, engaging, and deeply-researched work about the importance of the institution and the vital role it plays in communities -- *and* it's a riveting mystery story!

The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a nonfiction book about the public library. Centered around the tragic fire at the Central Library in Los Angeles in 1986 and its investigation, this book takes the reader through multiple facets of what a library is; because the library is so much more than a place to borrow books. Its a center of information and knowledge, a place for a community to come together in times of crisis, a place constantly available to the public at no cost and an institution that is constantly changing and updating with the times to stay a relevant point of access for continued learning.

Reading The Library Book was like reading about a dear friend. I love the public library and this book is a love letter to it. I visit my local library usually several times a week. While the stories about the fire were interesting and truly devastating (how can a reader's heart not break when you hear about hundreds of thousands of books and collections being lost forever), what I enjoyed most was learning about the ins and outs of what it means to be a librarian and the history of how the library has changed over the years with increased patronage and advancing technology. Some of the more specific history to LA and the specific people and problems involved with that library may be more interesting to those local to that area, but nonetheless, these stories lead to tidbits that would appeal to all readers. I'd be surprised if this book doesn't cause an increase in people becoming librarians.

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 bones of the story in The Library Book is centered around the biggest fire to ever hit a library that happened on April 29, 1986 at the Los Angeles Public Library. But along with learning what happened that day and the investigation afterward Susan Orlean has peppered this story with all kinds of facts about reading, libraries and books all throughout the book.

Now, for me I was a tad disappointed that the story took such a meandering path around the actual fire and crime. I’m one that wants results rather quickly and wanted to know more about that fateful day with each trip somewhere else. But then again on the other hand I also began to appreciate just how much the author put into this book to cover so much other information. I think this may be a book that I will pick back up and browse through at a slower pace sometime to try to soak in more of the knowledge within but at the moment I’m rating this one at 3.5 stars simply because it’s not as an engaging read as a thriller or fantasy to me but I do think non-fiction lovers will appreciate this one.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.