The Library Book

Just finished The Library Book by Susan Orlean. (She also wrote The Orchid Thief.) It's a nonfiction book about the giant fire at the LA Public Library and the possible arsonist. It's not told in a linear fashion and jumps all around with the history of the Library, story of the head librarians and love of the library and books in general. I enjoyed it. However, it was definitely rambling and longer than it should have been. Read for the Kemp Library Book Chat. 3.5/5

It’s more a love letter to libraries than about a library fire. Reminded me of why I became a librarian and may have rekindled my professional flame.

This book was nowhere on my radar until it was released. Attracted by the words "library" and "book", I took a look at it. My interest was immediately piqued when I learned it was about the L.A. Central Library fire of 1986. I grew up in L.A. and was in 9th grade when that fire took place.

I quickly discovered, much to my delight, that while the book used the Central Library fire as a focal point for the narrative, it was really about the history of the L.A. public library, and look inside the workings of libraries in general. I found the whole book fascinating.

Orlean talks about books being an experience, and that the value of a library, at least for her, was that she didn't have to buy the books to get the experience. I agree with this. I made exhaustive use of the Granada Hills branch of the L.A. library back when I couldn't afford to buy all of the books I wanted to read

It's a bit cliché to describe a book as simultaneously being several different—even contradictory—things, but this is one case where it's quite true. Most prominently, I suppose, this book is focused on the mystery of the 1986 fire which destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library. That focus instantly cleaves into two separate narratives: One following the prime suspect in the case; the other detailing the library's (and the community's) effort to rally and rebuild the library to its glorious present state. These narratives are fully fleshed out, and each feels substantive on its own. But beyond this, Orlean also provides a historical account of the library's birth, growth, and development over nearly the last century and a half, and along the way has some things to say about the role libraries play in our public life overall.

I suppose by definition it's a dense book, as it packs all that into ~300 pages, but it doesn't feel dense. The narrative glides along; I found myself consistently excited to continue along with it. It doesn't read like fiction, the way some of the best creative nonfiction does. But if you enjoy nonfiction generally, as I do, I would definitely recommend it.

Had very high hopes for this book and ever since I was a wee one i LOVED libraries ...they were my sanctuary But this book bored me ...too many tangents and all over place....i loved the LA library story along with Harry Peak...the rest seemed like filler ...i wish i could've enjoyed it