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.

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

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.

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!!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Susan Orlean does it again! She cracks open a world and invites the reader in, instantly immersing you in a nonfiction narrative so superbly crafted it reads like fiction. A book guaranteed to spark book club discussions.

I cannot recommend this book strongly enough for librarians or library enthusiasts. Part memoir, part Los Angeles Public Library history, part insight into the wide range of topics and services libraries provide, The Library Book explores a world that a lot of people think they know about because they've been to libraries, but in actuality most likely have no idea what's going (which I honestly didn't know either until I became a librarian myself!) There was one chapter about a particular head of the LAPL central library who was on the eccentric side that I felt was long-winded and didn't relate back to the rest of the book terribly well, but other than that, I very much enjoyed this. On a road trip I was reading it out loud to my mom who was driving and she was really into it, too! And that's saying something!

Fascinating insight into the workings of the Los Angeles Central Library, particularly appealed to me as I used to work in a library. Could relate to the tales of customers and staff. This particular section made me smile! “Librarians also make a decent living. In the Los Angeles system, the entry level salary is more than sixty thousand dollars”

I love books and I love libraries. The bookmobile that traveled to the school across the street from my hometown was my best friend for many years as a kid when I would visit it every Wednesday it was parked outside near my house. (I think I read and reread Elizabeth Taylors autobiography-"Elizabeth Takes Off" 15 times.) This book is a love letter to library's and it tries to unravel the mystery of who or what caused a devastating fire to the LA library.
I recommend to anyone who absolutely loves books and reading only as it does have a lot of slower moving pages discussing libraries.
Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book

librarian, library, books, nonfiction, journalist, grief

The book begins with graphic descriptions of the awful destructive fire at the main library in Los Angeles which occurred on the same day as the Chernoble disaster. The description of the actions of the fire and of the bibliophiles who worked so hard to salvage whatever could be done is so clear that the reader feels the pain and frustration of the obliteration of so many unique and irreplaceable books, other ephemera, microfiche, and so much more. Then the book progresses through the librarians and other employees and how things were managed to the other satellite libraries to the logistical problems of libraries everywhere. There is much devoted to the evolution of library services, preservation of historical library buildings, and the processes of archiving and restoration of materials. But this is not just a dry recounting of facts, it is a loving sacrificial offering to beloved libraries the world over, and the humor is found in the books listed at the beginning of each chapter. No Time for Tears: Coping with Grief in a Busy World (2015) by Heath, Judy 157.3 H437. Fire! The Library is Burning (1988) by Cytron, Barry D. X624 C997. If you geek libraries, you need to read this book!
Disclaimers:
I have geeked books and libraries since forever, as do most of our children and grandchildren. Several of the grands would consider this a book of horror as they are old enough to decide that they prefer print copies.
I requested and received a free review copy from Simon and Schuster Publishers via NetGalley. Now I have to get a print copy as soon as available!

If you have any interest in libraries and collections of books, you must read this. It is about the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library. Learn the history behind the devastating fire, about the major suspect, and how the library recovered. I was as surprised to learn about this fire as I'm sure you are. Chernobyl exploded the same day as the fire so history almost forgot about the fire. So read the book.

This is a truly fascinating look at the history of The Los Angeles Public Library. While the story revolves around the devastating fire of 1986, it encompasses so much more. The author deep dives into the role libraries have had in society in the past, then looks at the present and imagines the future for them. I have added a visit to this library to my bucket list. If you love books and libraries, this is a must read.

I picked up this book because I am a native Angelino growing up in SoCal in the 70s and I did not remember the great L.A. Library Fire. What I expected was a detailed account of the fire and, if it was arson, whether the person was arrested and convicted.

What Orlean has delivered is so much more than a nonfiction whodunit. An accomplished and award-winning author, Orlean says in the book she had given up the craft of writing until this project came along. I am ever so glad she returned to practice the art she so carefully has honed.

Rather than stick to one mode, Orlean masterfully weaves together true crime, feature reporting, local history, global history of libraries, and memoir to give us a gem of a book. Her encyclopedic knowledge and narrative style evokes that of the old storyteller, one who knows how to pluck rich details to create a mosaic that describes libraries in general and specifically the Los Angeles Public Library from the late-19th century to the present, post-war Southern California and our collective love for stories and how then say something about us (the last of which causes her to wax poetic and melancholic).

She includes great little elements, like the list of books at the beginning of her chapters. Far from being random, these nuggets serve as mysteries to be unlocked in the pages ahead. Also, wanting to understand better how books burn, she decides to burn a book herself (fittingly it was a copy of Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451).

The absolute best part of the book are the fascinating characters she meets and the delightful and often laugh-out-loud funny or downright fascinating tales they have to tell her. These stories can be indexed under to “too crazy not to be true” and complete the rich tableau that is this book. A lesser writer would have found the need to provide running, pithy commentary but Orlean clearly comes from the “less is more” school and, like the gifted writer she is, lets compelling characters tell their own stories.

In short, this a book as much about life and stories and how those stories impact our lives as it is about a 30-year-old unsolved arson case. Because it is so much more, The Library Book definitely should be checked out by story lovers near and far.