Us book-loving Calgarians have a major milestone to celebrate in exactly one week: the opening of our new Central Library. It’s a big deal for us because our old central branch was in dire need of a remodel, and this new building is an architectural marvel that’s making headlines all over the world. In honour of this opening, I read Susan Orlean‘s newest work, The Library Book. It focuses on the central branch of the Los Angeles library, it’s beginning, past, and present, and the excitement Orlean radiates is infectious-it made me even more excited to walk through our newest library.
New Calgary Public Library Central Branch! Photo Credit: Mary Kapusta
There are two main storylines running through it-the first and overarching line focuses on the 1986 fire at the library; how it happened, who was thought to have set it, and what the consequences of it were. We learn about some interesting elements of the fire, including: random facts about arson, the life of the man who was suspected of setting it, the way the LA community bands together to save the waterlogged books after being sprayed by the fireman’s hoses for such a long period of time, and the fundraising efforts that went into restocking the collection before the re-opening. Interspersed with the ‘fire’ story, we learn about the beginnings of the library, who the city librarians were, the gender politics of the time, the ever-changing view of what a library should contain. It must seem like Orlean jumps around quite a bit as you read this summary of topics, which she does, but to bibliophiles like myself it’s all interesting; it comes together to form a lovely little picture of the ‘library that could’.
The LA library burning. photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library Collection
The book begins with the wonderment Orlean felt entering a library with her mother as a child. This scene in particular immediately drew me into the book because I have almost the exact same memory. I too went to the library with my mother, and we’d spend long periods of time there, leaving with a great big stack of books almost as tall as me! It’s one of my fondest memories, and one that I hope to pass along to my own children. No matter what’s going on outside the library walls, inside is a sanctum for people who adore the written word, and it’s a place of endless possibilities that’s open to everyone.
One of the funniest parts of this book (and yes, there is humour, even in libraries!) is the description of the info desk that people call into to find answers to their questions-any kind of question you could imagine, for example: What is more evil, grasshoppers or crickets? (p. 233 of the ARC). As you can see, similar to the dictionary book I reviewed a few months ago, the breadth of questions that the public has for book people is at once baffling and highly entertaining.
Author Susan Orlean
For myself, the most interesting part of this book is the mystery surrounding the accused arsonist of the fire, Harry Peak. He lived a fascinating (if somewhat turbulent) life, and when Orlean interviews his surviving family members she is painfully honest about their circumstances. I wonder what they must think about their portrayal in this book; it’s not negative per se, but it doesn’t shed them in the most positive light either. The material Orlean uncovers surrounding this fire and the people involved are surprisingly dramatic, especially because this story fell largely under the public’s radar when it occurred.
I’ll leave you with a lovely little quote that attempts to describe just one of the many joys of reading, I can assure you that this book is full of them!
The reading of the book was the journey. There was no need for souvenirs (p. 9 of ARC).
I enjoyed this one it was fascinating the amount of things I learned even outside of the library and I think she walked a fine line with the family. I never felt like she was being unfair or painting them in a bad light 🙂
yes I agree! it was an interesting premise for a book, a gamble, but I’m glad it worked out!
Lovely review! I love the quotes you shared. This book has one of my favorite reads this year, so many interesting stories tied together.
right??? She’s quite the storyteller
I just finished listening to this on audio. I quite liked most of it, but now that I’m finished, but I feel a little bait-and-switched. The mystery of the arson–the Harry Peake story–was the hook of the book, but it was given so little weight! I found that so frustrating. By the end I was skipping whole sections to get back to that story.
Which is too bad because all of the library stuff was totally interesting. But that wasn’t why I bought the book, I guess?
I give it a sideways thumb, ultimately. LOL.
Great review, though, Anne.
I know what you mean-Harry Peak was definitely the most interesting part of this book. I kept wanting to get back to those parts too! I saw it as her way of ‘building suspense” LOL
I am eager to read this. And congratulations on the new library! It looks absolutely gorgeous.
Very excited to have a look into it!
Sounds like a delightfully quirky read – I love books like this that take an event and use it to talk about society in general. Love the look of the outside of your new library – when it opens you must let us see the inside too…
You know it! I should be doing a live book review on-location over the radio, stay tuned for details!
I love new libraries (although sometimes they do make you nostalgic for the old building, too, if you had a history with it). This one looks like it will be really different: I hope you enjoy the exploring and the borrowing! (And maybe it’s just me, but it looks like Smokey is thinking, unh uh, no way, no library for me if it means getting off this chair.)
Smokey is pretty much always thinking that LOL
I remember there being a giant globe in the kids section of my public library that I liked to spin. I remember exactly where the Goosebumps books are. I remember exactly where to find the Sweet Valley Twins. There are so many details in my memory of my library from the early 90s, and it surprises me that I can remember them. I remember very specifically on the door it said no gum in the library, and I always thought that was kind of funny, like gum would just pop out of your mouth and sully the books.
I also remember exactly where the Fear Street books were!!! Memories…
Interesting review! I’m about halfway through this now, and I love it so far. The 1986 fire narrative is absorbing, but I really enjoy the way Orlean also collects stories about the library’s history, its staff, etc. Congrats on receiving a new central branch for your library: it looks great!
thank you! I’m so excited to take a tour of it. I loved the back stories of the library employees too-seems us book people are all a bit quirky 🙂
This book sounds good! I had no idea it was about the 1986 fire. And I love the cover.
Hooray for your new library!! Our new library opened 2 years ago now, and we’ve had about 4,000 new patrons registered since then. (In a town and surrounding area of about 20, 000). I hope you get to spend lots of time there!
wow-impressive numbers!
Are you planning on going to Susan Orlean’s appearance at the Calgary library? I haven’t read her book yet …. but I have a ticket to see her here — talk about it. Should be good.
I was away when she was speaking in Calgary! I was so disappointed to have missed it-did you go?
Yes. Susan Orlean was very cool at the new library. Glad I went. My first visit to the big new building! I talked a bit about it on my blog: https://www.thecuecard.com/books/vi-and-from-the-corner-of-the-oval/