The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians is written by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann. I have been an avid reader since I was in 2nd grade. I used to spend hours after school at the local library waiting for my mother to pick me up. I will always remember the librarians that would talk to me every day.

I loved this story. I loved reading the personal experiences and the stories. I felt like I was sitting down with friends having a chat. James Patterson is a master storyteller. He brings words to life from the pages One of my favorites was the chapter from the reference and adult services head at the Westhampton Free Library. Her chapter really touched my heart. My grandmother always used to get books from garage sales - and would pass them down to me.

This is a well written engaging story. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

I want to describe this book as meh for a number of reasons. Who is the audience? I don't feel like it was me with 35 years' experience selling books and I don't think many of my customers would care. You know the meme 'You call that a snowstorm? 'Round here we call it Tuesday.'? That's what this book is - stories from booksellers and librarians doing what they do every day. I was annoyed that all the stories are from Americans, but that might just be better than one or two token stories from the rest of the world. James Patterson does so much for booksellers - he publishes bestsellers frequently that drive readers to our stores and he truly seems to appreciate what we do, but this book leaves me uninspired.

I loved this book! It was a fun, quick, and uplifting read about my fellow bringers of book joy. Definitely something that I would come back to and read again. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!!

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librairians
James Patterson
Matt Eversmann
April 8, 2024
Little Brown and Company
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I may be a little biased since I am a librarian.., but I loved this book!
Great book to share with others in this field.
4 stars

What a pleasure it was to read this book! I am a retired librarian, having spent time in school, public, and medical/scientific libraries over an almost 40=year career. I so enjoyed reading the stories presented by librarians and booksellers in this book. Readers can learn tricks of the trades and inspirations for future jobs. You can read this book straight through or dip back into it between other books for small doses. Either way will work. Reading it feels like informally talking to colleagues at an annual meeting. I appreciate that Patterson used his power to compile this gem. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an ARC.

Of course a little bit biased since I have had a career as first a bookseller and now a librarian but these little vignettes really hit home. Books are truly what have governed most of life. Finding so many kindred spirits visiting me in my home was a comfort read like no other. Patterson may be a take him or leave him kind of author now but no one can deny what he was done for books, booksellers and librarians.

I don't know what I expected this book to be, but what it is, isn't that. I was looking forward to reading this, as I am a bookseller and I love libraries. Halfway through the first chapter, after seeing myself in so many of the small biographical stories, I started wondering when we would get to the story of what the book was going to tell. When I finally finished chapter one, I was looking forward to starting chapter two, thinking it would be that story. I found it to be a continuation of chapter one. Maybe it needs to be read over a period of time, (long time), instead of all at once, as I found it repetitive. My apologies to James Patterson and Matt Eversmann, but I think if I had read this book before working at a bookstore or library, I would be looking for different employment. Please don't get me wrong, I love working in the bookstore and I loved volunteering at the library. I love selling Mr. Patterson's and Mr. Eversmann's books. This book just didn't make my list of must reads, but I won't tell any of my customers that. I do applaud those librarians upholding the right to free speech. I thank NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for the advance read.

As a librarian, I adored this title. I took notes of things to incorporate in my job as well as just "seeing" myself in a text was a delight. Patterson and Eversmann got it right. There is so much more to being a librarian than sitting behind a desk and shushing people. Thanks to them for the recognition!