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The Library Book
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
Susan Orlean, hailed as a national treasure by The Washington Post and the acclaimed bestselling 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 institutionour 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 been 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 Goodbye, 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 over thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the libraryand if so, who? Weaving her life-long 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 bestselling 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 todays 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 arson and the long history of library fires; attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; and she re-examines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the library over thirty years ago. Along the way, she reveals how these buildings provide much more than just booksand 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.
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Lynnsoprano
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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We got home from our trip, and I was so excited finally open my #litsylovespringgardenpartyswap package. @LocalTXLibrarian I cannot thank you enough for this amazing gift! I‘m anxious to read both of these books-at least one is going to be my airplane read in a couple weeks- and the throw is going on my reading chair RIGHT NOW 😄 I love it all, and if I didn‘t know already that you‘re a librarian, your choices would have told me ❤️😘 #litsylove

Deblovestoread Awesome box of goodies! 1d
45 likes1 comment
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SayersLover
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Finally read this one which has been on my TBR list for several years. I inherited a book discussion group with my new job so that helps with the motivation. 😅 Even though I read it pretty fast I thought it was very good and quite accurate with regards to libraries.

24 likes1 stack add
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BethM
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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True 😂 and now that Wes has all these cool new learning books from PaperPie I make ppl look at those too 😂

Avanders 🤣🤣 1mo
Avanders So true. Though I play it off like, “what, this ol‘ thang?” 😅 1mo
35 likes2 comments
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candc320
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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My library haul from today! The top 2 I purchased from the Friends of the Library shop and the bottom 2 are holds that came in.

mcctrish I just got my hands on London Séance society at Costco 2mo
candc320 Yay, @mcctrish !! I was so happy to find it at the library and it was only $3! 2mo
32 likes2 comments
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BookBosomed1
Library Book | Susan Orlean
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POV: Bookmobile librarian was on vacation in February, which means that yesterday all of these library books were delivered (a month‘s worth)! 😱

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Monica5
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

I had this book for awhile and finally read it. I enjoyed it, though to me it was more a history of libraries instead of a true crime book. It didn't spend a whole lot of time on the 1986 fire at LA's Central Library. I still enjoyed it though. First book for February Bingo.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#OffTheShelf2023 @Tove_Reads @Andrew65

Tove_Reads I read this one some years ago. 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4mo
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 4mo
17 likes3 comments
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Erinsuereads
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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When you have to factory reset your phone and your Libby app won't let you use your library cards again without verification and you know full well you haven't lived in Colorado in years and have been casually forgetting to tell all the libraries.

I went from six to one overnight. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

SaunteringVaguelyDownwards I'm no longer living in CO either and still using my card in Libby because they have a much better ebook selection than my current library. 🤫 4mo
Erinsuereads Same here! The Oklahoma library selection is rough @SaunteringVaguelyDownwards 4mo
IndoorDame Libby found out last year that I was using my father‘s NYPL card and shut that down 😭Crushing! They have everything! 4mo
Erinsuereads Noooooo that would hurt my soul! I've always wanted an nypl 😭😭😭😭 @IndoorDame 4mo
IndoorDame @Erinsuereads I know! The library where I actually live is good so my soul is recovering, but nothing compares to NYPL 4mo
67 likes5 comments
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chasjjlee
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Library book nook ❤️.

BookHoarder32 Adorable! 4mo
Julsmarshall ❤️❤️❤️ 4mo
dabbe Loverly.❣️ 4mo
27 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

While a non-fiction book about a devastating library fire might seem an odd first choice read for the Christmas long weekend, the effort of the community and staff to get the library collection back on its feet gave me just the warm fuzzies I was looking for this holiday season. And hey, a festive red and gold cover feels thematically appropriate too. 😉 1/?

Robotswithpersonality It can be argued that given the ultimate uncertainty surrounding the prime suspect in the possible arson, that the book spends too much time focused on that individual. But the inciting incident for this book is the library fire, and investigating the cause(s?) feels essential to the reader, even if it's not a mystery that can be solved. 5mo
Robotswithpersonality I loved the window into the history of LA's library system, and then the Central Library itself, as well as its librarians. Again, perhaps you could argue less detail about historical figures not related to the time of the fire was required, but it's kinda wild and fascinating (and from a feminist point of view, regularly exasperating). 3/? 5mo
Robotswithpersonality I am glad to have a peek into the restoration efforts for the book collection, though I'm surprised the restoration of the building itself was so lightly touched upon. I would also happily read a book that focused solely on the recuperative efforts for collection and building though I'm sensing a pattern in researchers/journalists writing books on libraries in jeopardy who don't seem to think that will be interesting enough for the average reader, and thus seek out stories on the margins to spice things up. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 5mo
Robotswithpersonality 5/5 Orlean's love for libraries and books shines throughout the text, so I guess I can forgive the subject creep. Also: absolutely adore the book titles with Dewey Decimal classification numbers as chapter titles intimating the upcoming chapter's contents. 🤌🏻💋 Warning: homophobia, mention of suicide 5mo
8 likes4 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Ah ha! I learned a thing. Evidently that ripply, wibbly thing pages do when they get wet actually has a name:

"cockled": " the wrinkled, puckered, waving, or curling condition of a page or of the boards of a book, which is caused by non-uniform drying and shrinkage."

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Robotswithpersonality
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Ah, gendered language, so often complicating matters for no good reason. What the hell is a "girlish complexion"? Is that meant to be complimentary or derogatory? If the author meant a 'youthful complexion', why not just write that?! ??‍♂️? 'Smooth or unblemished skin' might work, though emphasis on such feels like bowing to beauty standards...next question, why was this a necessary descriptor? 'Appeared younger than his age', there, fixed it!

6 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

If you ever wanted some behind the scenes info on how libraries work or what librarians do…. Here‘s a great start. The story and mystery surrounding the LA Central Library fire was fascinating to me, and I enjoyed all the set and history included. One irk for me is that it gives the impression that libraries LOVE all sorts of weird stuff to be donated, and that‘s not always the case. #scarathlon +16pts

23 likes1 stack add
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Laughterhp
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Mehso-so

Shocker, behind on reviews!

Read this for #Booked2022 - Written by a journalist

Probably an unpopular opinion, but it just didn‘t do it for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I‘m thinking it would have been better in print, because a lot of it was her just listing off books..

Cinfhen I liked this one, I did print but it had some weaker moments. Glad you gave it a try! 8mo
51 likes1 stack add1 comment
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K.Wielechowski
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

The overarching story is about the fire at Los Angeles‘ Central Library in 1986 where over 700,000 books, plays, periodicals, maps, and other items were lost to the blaze and the fight to restore the library and what was lost.
The rest was a love letter to libraries, librarians, and the communities that form around them.

9 likes1 stack add
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shanaqui
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

Looks like I might get a #BookSpinBingo after all, now I've finished my #DoubleSpin!

I really liked this book; it's less about the library fire in some ways and more just a history of the whole library, and a little of the development of how libraries are framed through history. Which might sound dry, but there's plenty of fascinating detail.

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shanaqui
The Library Book | Susan Orlean

I'm finding this riveting and wishing I had time to finish it today, aaah. Though it feels weird to spend so much time on Harry Peak when, idk, it doesn't seem like arson was his style?

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shanaqui
Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Need to read this for my #DoubleSpin, so I've just started digging in. It's a horrifying description of a fire, for sure, and I can't help but wonder if any of those firemen suffered longer-term effects...

Trying to figure out a line in #BookSpinBingo, too. It's been a weird old month, and I haven't at all read the things I intended to read! But I have options now, if I read speedily.

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Amandajoy
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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My library is almost done!! The doors get put in this week, and the Pod with all my books will be delivered at the end of the month. I don‘t get the other four bookshelves I ordered until November, but the end is in sight!

Avanders 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 so exciting!! 12mo
41 likes1 comment
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monalyisha
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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I‘m being featured on my Library‘s blog. Fun!

Check it out here:
https://www.amesfreelibrary.org/blog/staff-picks/staff-stories/staff-stories-aly...

Smrloomis 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Awesome! 12mo
Graywacke Cool! 12mo
Hooked_on_books I like that they include current reads 12mo
BiblioLitten I have tried the reader advisory forum at my library for my son and it‘s great! 11mo
67 likes4 comments
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triplem80
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

My last finished book in May...I enjoyed it even more than I expected! Definitely worth checking out if you love libraries.

rachelk I loved this book! 12mo
10 likes1 comment
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KCofKaysville
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

Interesting book on what libraries do, built around the tragic fire at L.A. Public Library in 1986. Has a lot of history and bios. of people in Calif. who started the library in So. Calif. Could have been a little shorter but very enjoyable.

39 likes3 stack adds
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KCofKaysville
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Poignant part after mentioning her Mom's dementia.

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TheKidUpstairs
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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#OnThisDay in 1986 a devastating fire hit Los Angeles' Central Library. It damaged or destroyed more than one million books. Thankfully, the alarm systems and fire protection had recently been upgraded, and that advanced warning meant all 400 people inside the building were able to escape uninjured. It took around 350 firefighters and 7 hours before the blaze was extinguished. Arson was suspected, but the culprit remains a mystery. #HistoryGetsLIT

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KCofKaysville
The Library Book | Susan Orlean

I'm also going to read this one. I've heard good things about it. I think it's about the LA Public Library and other things. As a librarian I feel obligated ! 😉

StaceGhost I loved this book! I want to go to LA just to see the library 13mo
Leftcoastzen I thought it was a great read ! 13mo
29 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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slategreyskies
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Bookzombie 💗 14mo
27 likes1 comment
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Clwojick
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

Finished The Library Book, and jumping straight into Seeing Red for #BookSpinBingo and #ThingsinCommon. ❤️

TheAromaofBooks As always, I love your layout!! 1y
61 likes3 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Finally, I can formally announce that I am the new Page Supervisor at the East Regional Branch for Durham County Public Library System.

After months of waiting for official word, it is approved and my first day was today.

I love that my colleagues had my desk cleaned, left swag and officially welcomed me on the public bulletin board as you enter the branch.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Congratulations 🎊🎉 📚 1y
MittenGirlPeach That‘s wonderful! 1y
Librarybelle Congratulations! 1y
See All 19 Comments
Aims42 Congratulations!!!!! 1y
BookBabe Yay, congratulations! 🙌🏻 1y
CrowCAH Woohoo congrats!!! 1y
Librarianaut Congrats!!!!! 1y
MaureenMc Congratulations! 1y
Bookzombie Congratulations!! 1y
JessClark78 Congratulations! 1y
Tera66 Woo hoo! Congratulations! 1y
LeahBergen Congrats! 👏👏 1y
erzascarletbookgasm 👏Congrats & Best wishes 1y
Zuhkeeyah Congratulations!! 🎉 1y
KellyK Congratulations!! 🎉🥳📚 1y
DaveGreen7777 Congratulations! 😀 1y
DivineDiana Fantastic! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥳📚 1y
62 likes19 comments
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Leftcoastzen
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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#savvysettings #Library Really ? Nobody used this one today? I really enjoyed this one .I used to have Los Angeles ,Pasadena, and Long Beach library cards .😄📚📖📚📖📚📚📚

jlhammar I really liked this one too. Good choice! 1y
Eggs Agreed 💯 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👏🏻📚😻 1y
70 likes3 comments
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IMASLOWREADER
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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7 likes1 stack add
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Kshakal
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Eggs Perfect ❤️📚❤️ 1y
37 likes1 comment
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Madison91
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Panpan

This was the mOst boring book, I‘ve ever had the displeasure to read.

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Rachiiebookdragon
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
Mehso-so

115 pages read in 1 h 54 min, via @leioapp (http://leio.co).

An insightful read. 3.5/5 Read for #TheStorygraphGenreChallenge2022 #PopSugarReadingChallenge2022 #52bookclubreadingchallenge2022

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Ddzmini
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

I‘ve read this rather quickly although I liked the book it was a quick read… the authors love of book was equal to I believe everyone on Litsy enjoyable

67 likes3 stack adds
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Ddzmini
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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So I‘ve chosen the above tagged book for this challenge… I‘ve been wanting to read this 🤗📖

Trashcanman 🤗 1y
shanaqui Ooh, this sounds like my kinda read... 1y
74 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Skygoddess1
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Today‘s move went rather well. The movers got all my heavy items (piano, bookshelves) moved with relative ease. The boyfriend decided that I should have my own library/reading room. Still have more books to bring over, and need to hang my literary pictures, but the library room is coming along. #personallibrary

Chrissyreadit Your shelves look great! 1y
Skygoddess1 @Chrissyreadit Thanks! It‘ll be nice once everything is complete to retreat there for some peace, quiet and good reading 1y
erzascarletbookgasm Looking good 👍😊 1y
33 likes3 comments
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LibraryCin
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Mehso-so

The book is a mix of disaster, biography, and history. It was good. I particularly found the information about arson interesting. It‘s not that easy to tell if a fire is arson. There is lots of interesting info about the inner workings of a library and its services, but I‘m a librarian, so that wasn‘t really new to me. There were some photos included in the book, mostly of the previous librarians (and one of Harry Peak).

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jenniferw88
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick
Cinfhen Yay!! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 2y
55 likes3 comments
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Rissa1
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

I loved how this revolved around the case of the fire, but was so much more. 4⭐

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scripturient
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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What better book to read in a library than one called The Library Book. 😂 Thoroughly enjoying my reading retreat weekend with these wonderful Littens. #gladstonerds #readingretreat

squirrelbrain Oh I loved this book! It made my top 20 in the year that I read it…enjoy! 2y
TrishB Lovely ♥️ 2y
Oryx Great pic 2y
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AmyG Enjoy! Such a good book. 2y
Caroline2 Great photo! 😉 have a fab wkend. 2y
Sharv_Sona The library looks stunning! 2y
LeahBergen Beautiful!! 😍😍 2y
93 likes1 stack add7 comments
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shadowspeak17
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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1. Surprisingly only two at the moment: The Way of Kings and The Copyeditor‘s Handbook
2. The Library Book by Susan Orlean
3. I currently have 17, so I won‘t list them all, but my most recent one is I Love You But I‘ve Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins.

#weekendreads

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stretchkev
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

A passionate ode to libraries: how they are built, what can be lost, and how best they serve our communities. In the microcosm of the LA central 1986 fire is the catalyst for the exploration of so much library history and its future in a tech savy world. Libraries are hard to kill.

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Rissa1
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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My heart is happy when I fill in at my kids' school because I get to read with this guy. He is an elementary student that struggles with reading and while he fellow students do things above his level, he comes to read to me. Obviously, he isn't my child so I took a picture of him walking away from me, but this is my favorite part of the day.

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AmyG
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Wonderful book about the Los Angeles Library, the fire at the main branch in 1986, and libraries and librarians in general.

#Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

tpixie I‘ve been wanting to read this 2y
BkClubCare I listened to the audio this year! I love libraries and architecture and history… and a great storyteller who weaves it all together. 😊 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
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Suet624 Gah! I loved this book so much. 2y
AmyG @Suet624 This book brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood library. Those were some of the best times of my childhood. 2y
Suet624 @AmyG awww, that‘s lovely. 2y
Teresereading I have this one on my pile 2y
101 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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mandarchy
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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I had a student tell me that he wanted to learn the specialist rotation by ❤ so that he could remember when to wear his library shoes. Littens, here are the library shoes.

Elizabeth2 💗 I love this! I‘m curious - what makes them library shoes? Are they extra quiet? (edited) 2y
Librarianaut I have my little book nerds keep socks in their lockers because “cozy spots” are no-shoes-clean-socks only reading spots in my library. They love to comply! 2y
Tamra 👏🏾👏🏾💜 2y
mandarchy @Elizabeth2 He hasn't explained it to me yet. Because they look suitable for P.E. to me. But maybe these are more comfy. 2y
mandarchy @Librarianaut cozy spots! That's a good idea. 2y
65 likes5 comments
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AmyG
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Babysitting Lou and her request for belly rubs is cutting into my reading time. Anything for this sweet girl. And the book is wonderful, too.
#dogsoflitsy

Lindy There‘s nothing like a dog‘s adoration. 😊 And did you know Orlean‘s new book is 2y
AmyG @Lindy I just read about her new book! 2y
Lindy @AmyG I‘m looking forward to it. I loved her 2y
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WJCintron 😍 😍 😍 2y
Gissy 🐶❤️❤️❤️ 2y
tracey38 ❤❤❤🐶 2y
93 likes6 comments
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Caryl
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Just finished up my #BookSpinBINGO list for September. It will be a super-busy back-to-school month, so hoping to at least get to my #bookspin and #doublespin picks.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
26 likes1 comment
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CaramelLunacy
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Pickpick

An interesting, chatty, tangent-filled tale centering around the Los Angeles Central Library, the characters who inhabit(ed) it and the devastating fire that destroyed or damaged over 1 million books.
I empathized with the author's reminiscences about what libraries meant to her, delighted in the exploits of various librarians (Charles Lummis sounds a hoot) and puzzled over the possible culpability of an alleged arsonist. An absorbing read.

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Beccacraft
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
Pickpick

This book was a bit slow for me but I really enjoyed learning little known facts about libraries and librarians throughout the book. I learned a bunch and am putting it as a “pick” because I love books, reading, and libraries so much.

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Mitch
Library Book | Susan Orlean
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Just got my new library card - the mobile library stops outside our new house once a month! #rurallfe!

AlaMich Cute! Our library always has the dullest cards. 2y
Mitch @AlaMich I‘ve already put it to use! 2y
BookBosomed1 I‘ve a bookmobile that comes right outside my house, too. I also love the country. I love the bookmobile. 2y
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Mitch @BookBosomed1 we‘ve just move here from the city - so we‘re adjusting! 🤣 2y
BookBosomed1 @Mitch that was me! I moved from the city and it took me a bit. I remember the day I first spotted the bookmobile I was feeling particularly anxious about the move. Seeing that bookmobile settled me a bit. :) Now, I love living in the country. So quiet and peaceful. 2y
Mitch @BookBosomed1 👏🏼💕👏🏼 2y
78 likes6 comments