The story of the biggest library fire in the U.S. provides the perfect backdrop to delve into the history of libraries in the U.S. in general and the Los Angeles Public Library in particular. One of the best parts is the look at some of the colorful characters who played an integral role in the growth of the library, from the 'Walking Encyclopedia' to the 18 year old head of the library. Orlean even tried to burn a book herself to see what the arson may have felt or been thinking when he set the fire that destroyed so much of the LAPL's collection.

This superb book by Susan Orlean reveals the life of all books, and how they are valued in our societies. She acknowledges the use of books by academic elites, but she succeeds in embedding the library book in the broad story of the city of Los Angeles. She does not discriminate between the value of books, leaving that up to users, readers and borrowers. She outlines in readable form show our librarians work to save books from neglect and destruction. Examining the crises (especially a devastating fire in 1986) faced by the Los Angeles library since its foundation, she highlights the richly eccentric characters who provided a service to a burgeoning city. As libraries continue to morph to be relevant in a digital age, Orlean shows how flexible that libraries have been in facing the challenges of the past. Champions of public education will celebrate her description of how homeless and immigrant communities have been served in Los Angeles. Overall, an indispensable account of the importance of civic libraries in a shrinking public sphere.

Who would ever have imagined it? Even as rabid a bibliophile as I am, I
could not imagine how a book ostensibly about the 1986 L.A. Library fire could be so fasinating, riveting even. While the fire grounds the book, it explores all the roles that libraries have to play in our communities and our lives, the history of L.A. Library and it's librarians, the salvage operations for the many damaged books, and the search for the cause or culprit. As Orlean writes,
"The library is a whispering post. You don’t need to take a book off a shelf to know there is a voice inside that is waiting to speak to you, and behind that was someone who truly believed that if he or she spoke, someone would listen."
Thank you, Susan Orlean, for doing that tremendous amount research and believing your inner voice, you are right, we are listening. Highly recommended!

Orlean does for libraries what she did for orchids. A great fire at the Los Angeles Library is a stepping off point for a book about crime and community. The uses of the library are countless, beyond the housing of Books. The evolution of the librarian is depicted through the history of the Los Angeles library system. Reflecting the history of the nation, the needs of the library flourished. Orleans captures the real life characters of librarians and arson suspects for the page. A delightful informative book.

From childhood visits to the bookmobile through library school & work as a librarian, I love books and libraries. So this book was a natural for me to read. What surprised and delighted me though was how wide-ranging and wonderful it was. I was enchanted from the first paragraph.

Orleans uses the Los Angeles Central Library and its devastating 1986 fire as the focal point of her book, but it covers so much more, all in chapters introduced by four library book citations, including call numbers, that reflect that chapter's topics.

Not only do we learn the history of the library, we get profiles of many folks who work there, from the Head Librarian to security guards. We also get delightful looks at some special collections as well as many of the departments in the library from the shipping department to the computer center.

We might think that libraries are less relevant in today's Internet world, but as this book conclusively shows, they are more important now than ever.

If you love libraries, read this book, it will give you insight into how complex and interesting they are. If you are skeptical about their value, read this book. It will show you why they are important.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean on the surface is a book about the Los Angeles Public Library fire in 1986 that burned for over seven hours, the single biggest library fire in the history of the US. It’s actually a love letter to libraries, their history, their place in our communities, and the tireless men and women who work there. I’m a lover of libraries, have used them in many capacities throughout my life, but was amazed what I did not know (and what I learned). The author writes not simply about the Los Angeles Library but the history of libraries, their evolution, their future. It gave me a renewed appreciation for the vast role libraries play within communities and how that will continue to evolve. I highly recommend this for bibliophiles and history buffs alike.
I received an advanced reader copy (eGalley) from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinions.

I'm not sure what I can say that hasn't already been said. The Library Book is a love story with a mini true crime novella intertwined. To anyone that values their library and their community, this is a must read.

This is a wonderful history of the importance of libraries to not only readers but the public in general. I don't think I realized this was a factual, non-fiction story at first, it is well written and keeps sometimes dull facts and details holding your attention till you look at the clock and discover it's long past your bedtime. In 1986 the Los Angeles Public Library caught on fire. It turned into an inferno. This book tries to determine if the fire was set on purpose and who would do such a thing. While the LA Library is the center of the story, Ms Orlean encompasses stories, people and libraries from all around the globe to tell a history of the wonderful notion books for all through the library. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

RECOMMENDED READING: Up from the ashes of the terrible 1986 arson fire and into the archives: in The Library Book, recent Angeleno Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief) paints an engaging pen portrait of the colorful characters who built up the Los Angeles Public Library, the peculiar dude who maybe tried to destroy it, and the preservationists, architects and policy wonks who saved the grand old gal from demolition. (review appeared in the Esotouric newsletter 11/4/2018)

This may end up being one of my favorite books of the year. Susan Orlean certainly knows how to craft a story. Like the author, I grew up in libraries and hold some of the dearest memories among the stacks of books. So while I was already biased towards liking the book, she did something beyond my expectations- she taught me about libraries, her personal history, and a mystery about a fire in the LA branch, all in one book. The read was at times poignant, at times funny, other times fascinating and mysterious, but never dull. I was utterly charmed by this book and was very sad when it ended.

I would like to thank Simon And Schuster for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis:
On the morning of April 28, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual fire alarm. As one fireman recounted, “Once that first stack got going, it was ‘Goodbye, Charlie.’” The fire was disastrous: it reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who?

My thoughts:
Reading the synopsis I was intrigued and excited for a whodunit about a library fire. I thought the book was mainly going to be an investigation into finding out who started the fire in the Los Angeles Public Library. Spoiler: It wasn't. The book had a sprinkle here and there regarding the fire but mostly it was a book about people who work or have worked in the library. Had I known that, I probably would not have picked this book up in the first place.

Still, once invested in the book I persisted and was actually enjoying it. Susan Orlean started out talking about her love for books and had some great descriptions about her feelings toward them that I could relate to. It all started going downhill, however, when she started talking about the people she met or observed. There was a couple of scenes where she wasn't just describing people, but actually being judgmental. I ignored it at first but it ruined the whole book for me. Had she left those parts out and kept on with the investigation, I think I would have enjoyed it more. As it is, it was a 2/5 star.

Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for as ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book!! The writing was suburb, as with all her books, and grabbed me from the first page. This was such an interesting book and what I learned was unbelievable! A true story about the biggest library fire in history but really about so much more! The amount of information will blow you away! This one is going down as one of my years best read books! f you love history and you love the Library this is a must read. Starring 5 star.

When I started reading The Library Book, I was expecting a true crime account of the April 1986 library fire at the Los Angeles Public Library. While her investigation of the fire was what drove Ms. Orlean to write The Library Book, ultimately it’s more of a memoir of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). The story of the fire and it’s investigation does weave in and out, but this really is about the library and a love of books.

From a true crime aspect, I was a little disappointed. Ms. Orlean’s research guides us through the fire (which she describes beautifully) and it’s investigation. While they had a strong suspect, officially the arsonist remains a mystery. I would have liked to see justice for such a crime, but obviously this is not the fault of the author.

That being said, from a memoir (and book lover’s) perspective, The Library Book is very interesting. As Ms. Orlean leads us through the history of the LAPL, you can tell this book is a labor of love. She introduces us to the past head librarians, many of whom were strong personalities that helped shape the library as it is today. We learn about the architecture and design of the building itself. She takes us through the modern library and it’s daily operations, from the shipping department to the people fielding telephone questions, to cataloging in the map room, to the librarians on the floor. Learning the stories of the people and patrons who collectively make the library the wonderful place that exists today is what kept me turning pages.

The library fire is just one piece of this library’s history. While it’s an interesting event, it’s the rest of the history and the people Ms. Orlean profiles that makes this book an enjoyable read for any book lover.

The Library Book is okay. It is the history of the Los Angeles Public Library with a focus on the 1986 fire. The book's chapters go back a forth between the history of the library and its managers, the fire investigation, and Susan Orlean's meetings with the current staff of the library and what the library's programs.

I thought the book was supposed to be about the fire and while it was it also included more history about the library than I was expecting. If you are interested in libraries and books give this one a try.

In 1986, a devastating fire tore through the Los Angeles Public Library; it lasted seven hours and burned 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more. Thirty years later, it’s still a mystery if it was arson, even though investigators strongly suspected a man of setting it.

Susan Orlean looks into the case as part of her Library Book, but this narrative explores much more than the fire and its aftermath. Orlean relates the history of the library in Los Angeles and its librarians but also writes about libraries and their keepers in general, about their role in society and the place they hold in so many people’s hearts. This is a paean to books, their homes, and the people who love them.

I had not read any of Orlean’s previous books, so I was eager to try this one, in part because of her reputation as a consummate writer and in part because I couldn’t resist the subject matter, being a book and library lover myself. I was not disappointed. I’m guessing she can make anything interesting with her skill and style and warm approach to the subject matter. Here, she goes back and forth between the history of the Los Angeles library and the men and women who have led it and the story of the 1986 fire, the investigation and the way people pulled together to try to rescue as many books as possible and rebuild.

Her style had me wanting to highlight probably a third of the book. One example shows what a library is and what her writing is like: “In the library, time is dammed up — not just stopped but saved. The library is a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them. It is where we can glimpse immortality; in the library, we can live forever.”

I loved her description of the father of the arson suspect: He had “silvery hair that stuck out straight, as if it were a quiver of exclamation points.”

All of it was compelling as an interweaving collection of stories about the Los Angeles library, books and the people who work for and use libraries in general. And all of it is irresistible for people who love books — who else would pick up this book, after all? I savored it, learned from it, and pondered on important points it brought up, such as how libraries are community centers, gathering places that are open to everyone (including the homeless, which means librarians have had to work within the community to try to tackle this complex problem), places that have been and still are vital centers of not just learning but engagement and doors for opportunity for those who need help the most. They have grown and evolved and survived, even and especially in the toughest economic times, because they may be needed the most in downturns.

If you’re not already a believer in the power of libraries, you will be after reading The Library Book.

This is a fascinating, well-written book about the inner workings of libraries as well as a crime. The crime is a massive fire that took place in 1986 and I'm astonished and appalled that I remember absolutely nothing about this being in the news! This isn't especially a whodunnit since there is already a sole suspect. Orlean writes nonfiction with a crispness that makes it as easy to read as a novel. She packs a lot of facts into her work but they come across as compelling, not dry.

The chapters switch back and forth from the event of the fire and its aftermath to the workings of the library systems. This switch is occasionally a bit jarring but that's a very small complaint.

Overall, this is a book any book lover will enjoy.

This book is billed as true crime, and while it does cover the mysterious fire (arson? maybe) in the LA Central Library in 1986, it reads more as a love letter to libraries. As a library lover, I found the glimpse into the history and inner workings of the LA Public Library system fascinating. Orlean is a fantastic writer, who blends the story of the fire with the history and future of the library seamlessly. This is well worth a read if you have any interest in libraries at all.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy of the book.

THE LIBRARY BOOK is a great read. Ostensibly about the Los Angeles Central Library fire in 1985, and the single named suspect who never told the same story twice to investigators, or anyone else for that matter. In actuality, it is the story of the Los Angeles Public Library and how that history fits in with the history that is libraries. I can't help but mention another book I read not long ago about a fictional library THE MAD LIBRARIAN, by Michael Gillebeau. There are sections of THE LIBRARY BOOK that explain and expand on the points made about a fictional library and a harried librarian. I am a book person through and through, so when one book leads so directly to another, I just have to talk about it.

Like the author, I had never heard about the library fire in Los Angeles because I too was living on the east coast. The fire would not have been in the east coast papers because they had already gone to press. The next days brought only stories of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. As I read Ms. Orlean's description of the fire, I had tears running down my face. Alongside the senseless taking of life, I can think of nothing more heartbreaking than destroying a book, so the devastation of a library is akin to the mindless bombing of a city.

Libraries are so much more than repositories for books, so much more than a place to read and do research. In their quiet way, they are the lifeblood of community. Where do you go to be with other people? Where do you call for help with a crossword puzzle? Who do you turn to when you have no idea how to deal with something critical in your life? If you are not thinking library, you should be. Libraries help the homeless, help the unemployed and serve as a community centers for everyone. Anyone who thinks libraries have outlived their usefulness needs to read this book.

THE LIBRARY BOOK is not a feminist treatise, but it does point out the ups and downs for both men and women in the library system. An article written in 1876 suggested that highly educated women could be hired for less money than a man thus saving money for the city or town employing them in a public library. At one time, I would have found it strange to see such a blatant expression of sexism; today, I look at it as women caving to male dominance even at a time when most women did not work outside the ho9me. Reading this goes a long way toward explaining why it took so long for women to be allowed to vote, to own property, and why the Equal Rights Amendment has never been passed. I really wish someone could logically explain why women have always kowtowed to men and continue to do so today. It seems that everything I read, fiction and non-fiction alike, contains references to a particular male minority running everything.

I could go on and on singing the praises of this book, but I will end by saying SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY.

This was a bit of a rough read for me. I love the subject, and the Orlean is obviously a very talented writer. However, I did not love how the author would switch between topics with each chapter. Sometimes it was about the actual fire, sometimes it was about how the Los Angeles library runs in the present day, sometimes it was about the history of the library and libraries in general, etc. And while I love libraries, I think that being a librarian has hindered my enjoyment of this book. If I wasn't someone who already knows the inner workings of a library, I would be fascinated. However, being that I am a librarian, those chapters left me bored.

Overall, this would be an enjoyable book for all patrons, though perhaps not those who work in libraries. This is why I'm giving the title four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Susan Orlean, and Simon & Schuster for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Library and book lovers will find this expertly delivered book enlightening

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
On the morning of April 28, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Central Library. The patrons and staff that had been cleared out of the building soon realize this was not the usual fire alarm. This fire was intense and disastrous. It reached 2,000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished it had consume 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more. Investigators descended on the scene immediately, but more than 30 years later the mystery remains: did someone purposely set fire to the library, and if so, who? Librarians remember seeing a blond young man who was somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be, a closed section of the library. But since all evidence was consumed the investigators found it very difficult to prove arson.

“Usually, fire is red and orange and yellow and black. The fire in the library was colorless. You could look right through it, as if it were a sheet of glass. Where the flame had any color, it was pale blue. It was so hot that it appeared icy.”

REVIEW
Susan Orlean skillfully transports us to the library stacks where we can still smell the smoke and feel the intense heat from the flames. THE LIBRARY BOOK showcases the history of the building as well as many of the notable past and current librarians who have help make the library vital and relevant. New York Times best-selling author SUSAN ORLEAN’s detailed research is evident in the stories about the library, it’s history and it’s past champions. The writing was smart and all library and book lovers will find this one enlightening. One of my favorite parts was when, as part of her research, Orlean decides to burn a book. As a book lover she found this to be a difficult task. She profoundly states:

“The pages burned so fast that they barely crackled; the sound was soft, like a sizzle, or the crinkly light sound of water spraying out of a shower. As soon as it was over, I felt like I just jumped out of an airplane, which is perhaps the natural reaction to doing something I’d resisted so mightily—there was the elation at overriding my own instincts, elation at the fluid beauty of fire, and terrible fright at the seductiveness of it and the realization of how fast a thing full of human stories can be made to disappear.”

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher Simon & Schuster
Published October 16, 2018
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com