The Library Book

By: Susan Orlean

Narrated by: Susan Orlean

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Susan Orlean, hailed as a “national treasure” by The Washington Post and the acclaimed best-selling author of Rin Tin Tin and The Orchid Thief, reopens the unsolved mystery of the most catastrophic library fire in American history and delivers a dazzling love letter to a beloved institution - our libraries.

On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual false alarm. As one fireman recounted later, “Once that first stack got going, it was good-bye, Charlie.” The fire was disastrous: It reached 2,000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than 30 years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library - and if so, who?

Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading with the fascinating history of libraries and the sometimes eccentric characters who run them, award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author Susan Orlean presents a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling story as only she can. With her signature wit, insight, compassion, and talent for deep research, she investigates the legendary Los Angeles Public Library fire to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives.

To truly understand what happens behind the stacks, Orlean visits the different departments of the LAPL, encountering an engaging cast of employees and patrons and experiencing alongside them the victories and struggles they face in today’s climate. She also delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from a metropolitan charitable initiative to a cornerstone of national identity. She reflects on her childhood experiences in libraries; studies fire and attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; and reexamines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the library more than 30 years ago. Along the way, she reveals how these buildings provide much more than just books - and that they are needed now more than ever.

Filled with heart, passion, and unforgettable characters, The Library Book is classic Susan Orlean and an homage to a beloved institution that remains a vital part of the heart, mind, and soul of our country and culture.

©2018 Susan Orlean (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Love Letter to Libraries

Such a worthwhile read.
Good storyteller
Quirky and interesting characters
Uplifting and hopeful
Highly recommend
I listened at 1.25 speed and that was just right.

Interesting, but all over the place

I decided to listen to this book based on the review and added mentions (New and Noteworthy, and the best seller sidebar) in The New York Times Book Review. I love books and I love libraries, and it seemed like I’d enjoy it. I did enjoy it, but found it not as great as I expected given what was written about it. The main thrust was, apparently, the fire in the LA library, but this theme was used as a way to detour back and forth to the history of the LA library, library functions, and go off on tangential topics like political book burnings. All the material was interesting, and clearly researched well, but it was really all over the place. I found the constant jumping around in time - early history of the library, the fire and the salvage, recent history of the library, homeless people in the library, book burnings, etc. - to have no reasonable organization. Given that one of the characteristics of libraries - and this is described in the book too - is organization and cataloguing, this book in some ways was not in character. It was almost a book written by a process of free association. The author’s reading of her own work was adequate, but nothing outstanding. I found it a bit slow and moved to the 1.25 speed, something I rarely do, but it was an improvement.

Fascinating story; Unfortunate narration

This audiobook unfortunately suffers from unpolished narration by the author. Although hard to imagine an author bored of her own material, it seems so at certain points of the book. I'm glad I powered through. It is really well researched and presents a breadth of perspectives surrounding the library. At points, little gems and love letters to libraries that all book lovers will appreciate appear.

Fantastic book. Who knew this library had such a story. One if the great nonfiction books I’ve read / heard.

The fire, the library’s history and libraries in general are made so interesting by this veteran writer. I loved this book. Who knew a library could be so interesting? Great great book.

Interesting Information- Tough Listen

The author put together a very interesting semblance of facts, tidbits, overall book history. Things I'd never have known and did find beneficial to learn. I got a 3rd of the way through though and realized I could no longer listen. I realized the author's "reading voice" was actually bothering me. The author is a talented author. Narration may be a whole other ball game and explains why it is a professional field all is own.

It's History

This does center around the Los Angeles city Library, however the book is rich in history and it makes you want to do your research to find out more about the events and people in the book. It reminded me of how much time I spent in my library's as kid. Makes me want to go my local library since it's been a while.

A book about books

What's more fun to read than a book about books? But it's also a book about Los Angeles, libraries, librarians, library patrons, architecture, women's rights, AIDS, and occasionally what's supposed to be its subject - the Los Angeles Central Library fire of 1986. There doesn't seem to be an organizing principal, just a lot of wonderful stories about unforgettable people. But I was always happy to be reading whatever she wanted to write about.

Wonderful! Perfect!

Enjoyed this book more than any other in recent memory. So surprising, a roller coaster of information, story telling, history and humor. This book is perfect for any reader regardless of literature preference.
I’ve found myself recommending The Library Book over and over. Wish there were 6 stars to give. Author does a wonderful job reading as well.

super account of everything to do with libraries

yes it is a super account of everything to do with libraries. listen to it.

Such a book nerd joy!

Loved reading this. Will read again and again whenever I feel bookish. I actually liked the book titles at the start of each chapter.

The author is definitely a writer first, not a narrator. But I noticed if I play it at 1.5 speed it was great and didn't bother me anymore.