I enjoyed reading the stories of librarians and booksellers from across America. There were certain themes that seemed to come up again and again in the stories about how these people got into the jobs they were in, and also how they work to keep their businesses going to support the communities they are in. I especially liked the stories about the librarians who work in prisons, and how they are able to change lives just by providing people with books to read and learn from.

The book also made me want to better support the local book store in my own town to ensure that this important business is able to flourish.

I recieved this ARC from netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is all about the celebration of books. From book sellers to librarians this book will make you love books even more. He shares stories from different people and their adventures with books. A must read for any book lover.

I was looking forward to reading this book, but it fell a little flat for me for a handful of reasons:

1. The writing wasn't great. I get that the submissions were made by (presumably) non-writers, but some of the entries had very choppy flow and almost all of them ended very abruptly.

2. The name dropping. I'm not certain how many times James Patterson was mentioned, but it was more than once or twice. I admire how much Mr. Patterson has done for literacy, independent bookstores, etc., but the mentions came across as a little self-serving.

3. The romanticizing of bookstores and libraries, particularly the latter. In my opinion, this is a HUGE disservice. With ten years behind me in public libraries, I would have preferred a more balanced approach to the overall experience. I don't think this book does any favours by perpetuating the myth that public libraries are all sunshine and roses.

This has some enjoyable moment, but overall it starts to get a bit repetitive. I wanted a little more depth to the stories.

It might be nice to pick up and read in short spurts.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

"I've never seen a line this long. It stretches around the block, the kind of line you'd usually see for the most popular ride at Disney. Only these people are waiting in line to purchase a book".

The excitement is palpable as a crowd gathers for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at a Salt Lake City, Utah bookstore. Not every book is greeted with such fanfare (and fan fervor), but those of us who work selling or loaning books totally get it. Sometimes, getting your hands on THAT ONE BOOK that you've been dying to read is all that matters. And, we will do whatever we can to help you get it.

I've been both a bookseller (B.Dalton - 1986-1991), and a librarian (since 2016). I love to read. I love people who read. And, I love helping people get books they can't wait to read.

Patterson's book is a nice tribute, though I'll admit that reading this straight through is tedious. There seems to be an endless parade of interviews with Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million managers, but every now and then there is a standout essay like the one about Diego Sandoval Hernandez, the gentleman who brings books to the inmates at Rikers Island. In addition to providing reading material and research services. he also provides programs that connect prisoners to their families on the outside. One of those is called Daddy & Me which records inmates reading aloud to their children . The recording on USB is given to the child along with a copy of the book during a prison visit. I wiped away a tear after reading that one. There are also some worthy stories of librarians battling censorship, and refusing to remove challenged books, including one Texas librarian who featured the books in a display rather than hiding them. (She was fired for her efforts. Way to go, Texas!)

On the whole, this was a great read. It was wonderful hearing the thoughts and opinions of other book lovers. Whether you work in the trade, or just love reading, I suspect you will enjoy this one.

Loved this, as a librarian, but it is for everyone! Will be recommending to everyone I know and purchasing a copy ASAP for my personal shelf! 10/10 recommend

I am so in love with this book! For anyone that loves books, reading, bookstores or libraries, this is the perfect book to gift. It was truly inspiring to hear the stories of so many different book lovers and see the commonalities we all share.

I was able to read about independent book store owners, book sellers, librarians, employees at all levels of Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million as well as Canadian booksellers. Their unique experiences combined with their enthusiasm for what they do and the people they serve was heartwarming.

This book is uplifting and inspirational. I truly believe any one that loves reading will fall in love with this book and all of the wonderful stories of fellow bibliophiles. Highly recommend for all readers!

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this piece to be exceptionally well-crafted, and I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more works by this author. Given its potential popularity among our library patrons, we're certainly looking forward to adding it to our collection

There are first-person testimonies from independent booksellers, booksellers at chain stores, and school, college, private, and public librarians from around the U.S. and Canada. They may talk about their early discovery of books, their desire or decision to become a librarian, or the opportunities that gave them a chance to work in a bookstore or owning a bookstore. All have upbeat, inspiring things to say about connecting books and readers, and they express real concerns about the “wildly dangerous” movement to ban books. Books, they know from firsthand observation, can change lives. As a retired librarian, one of my favorite experiences was when someone came back and told me that my help gave them a positive experience as the books chosen for learning or wanting to find a book to read for enjoyment. It’s a great place in libraries to meet their community. One will find delightful testimonies to read throughout the book. You may discover some things that you didn’t know. It’s a great book to read! I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

Thank you James and Matt for this book! I loved all of the individuals stories, even knew a couple of the librarians. As a library assistant at a public library and reader of multiple books at a time in all editions (kindle, print, audio), this book will hold a special place in my heart! Thank you for showing people what we do, and why. Not for the money, but for the smiles we get when we place the right book with the right person!

Ok Patterson, I know you literally have a book in just about every age group and genre, but man you have got to stop cornering certain markets, we librarians are especially prone to purchase books that tell our stories, even if it another book by Patterson! I enjoyed this so much that I had to reread it when it was published. I hope others also enjoy these short stories!

Beautiful! Such a wonderful look into the world of books and the people who love them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians is an uplifting, heartwarming book full of bite-sized inspirational stories from those responsible for connections readers and their stories. I enjoy the personal anecdotes and the representation from indie booksellers, chain store booksellers, and librarians of all kinds, from all areas of the country.

The one thing I didn't enjoy about the book was the seemingly forced use of present tense. I get what the authors were going for -- that sense of immediacy, of NOW -- but it just didn't fit and seemed stilted most of the time. The fact that it drew my attention so often let me know it just wasn't working for me.

Many thanks to the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this new book.

I was really looking forward to this - I love booksellers and librarians and couldn't wait to hear their stories of love, hate, book recommendations, book bans etc etc. I, unfortunately, was deeply disappointed.

With no disrespect to ANY of the booksellers and librarians that contributed to this book [because in my book, they are all rockstars - especially librarians right now], this book could have been so much more. The stories seemed so abrupt. There were [with the exception of just a couple] mostly happy stories,or positive stories. There were only stories from North America. NONE from any other part of the world. There was little diversity here as well [though I appreciated the stories that really highlighted diversity], and that was disappointing. There was a LOT of name dropping, to the point I was a teeny bit uncomfortable [I understand being a fan, because who isn't of their favorite author, but there is a point where it just feels like its show-offy and not really being just a fan]. And by the last chapter, I just wasn't feeling anything.

Then...

The last chapter happened. And that is what saved this from a zero-to-one-star read. That last beautiful, tear-inducing chapter. Such beauty and grace and grit and determination and EMOTION in that chapter. Those stories are the ones I wanted throughout the whole book and didn't get [though I am so glad it was at the end, so we could all go out on a high note]. This chapter gets 5 huge stars. If only the whole book had been this way...how glorious this would have been.

Thank you to NetGalley, ALL the Librarians and Booksellers who are out there fighting book battles and reading and recommending ALL. THE. BOOKS., and Little, Brown and Company for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delightful collection of essays by a mix of librarians and booksellers from all over the country. They are fairly short essays that provide insight into the value of both types of entities. Some of the challenges are highlighted, including the tough times during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some unique bookstores still in existence that are independently owned with some very creative booksellers/owners who have been creative and innovative to keep their businesses relevent in their communities. The librarians focus is the same but different, of course since they are funded on an entirely different scale.

This was fun to read and I found it uplifting to know how much heart is put into both bookstores and libraries. The commitment to literacy and getting books into the hands of readers is an amazing and important endeavor and I wish them all every success. I was happy to read about Judy Blume in her eighties having a bookstore now.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.

THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann was described as "comfort food for bookworms" by Publishers Weekly. The authors have compiled a series of stories that touch on the importance of books and reading. There are so many words of wisdom here about book joy and the role of books in connecting people. One is from the Kelly Moore, librarian at the Carrollton Public Library near Dallas who comments on how libraries are "staffed with some of the most naturally curious people out there. Come in and ask a question, and we joke that we'll chase you out into the parking lot when we finally find the answer, even if it's a week later." Another is from Sharon Perry Martin, library director at University Park Public Library in Texas, who tells about a day when she was about fifteen and her Mom confronted their public librarians, saying Sharon could take out any book she wanted: "From that point on, I get an adult card and can check out anything I want. It makes a big impact. So does my mother's taking ownership for raising me, as every parent should. She trusts me not to check out or read books that I'm not supposed to, just the ones that I want to read." Carolyn Foote, the 2022 recipient of AASL Intellectual Freedom Award, reflects on an increasing number of book challenges and her work defending the right to read by creating the hashtag #FReadom. Martha Hickson, high school librarian in New Jersey, says, "I'm all about protecting children and their right to information." This wonderful collection will help readers better understand what booksellers and librarians do, but more importantly, WHY they do it.

For more on #FReadom: https://www.txfreadomfighters.us/

I didn't expect to devour this entire book in a single day. The stories all come from a different librarian or bookseller. Each one is only 4-5 pages. The whole book reads like a love letter to those who live to share stories. Everyone will make you want to run out and get more books, some will make you cry, and some will make you want to quit your life and go be a librarian (unless you already are living the dream).

This was boring and repetitive. I loved the premise of the book, but it was completely lackluster in execution, I was very disappointed.

James Patterson and Matt Eversmann have edited a marvelous series of remembrances by librarians and booksellers in United States and Canada celebrating reading, book lovers and authors. Best book on topic I have read in a long time. Triumphs and tragedies, professional librarians and book sellers who fell in to the trade. Children and seniors who love graphic novels, high literature and romances. Librarians who get books to prisoners in jail. Secret Lives: of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading; the title says it all. As a librarian and passionate reader I loved these memories.

Fun grouping of short stories related to book lovers. I enjoyed reading about the different libraries, and booksellers. The stories were well thought out , and interesting to read.