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The Library Book by Susan Orlean

We know that today, libraries do not just house books, but they provide so much more to their community. In April 1986 a suspicious fire started at the Los Angeles Public Library and destroyed over 400,000 books and countless irreplaceable historical materials. Some of the lost relics included a cherished collection of maps, sheet music, plays and first editions of rare books. Hundreds of thousands of books were damaged by smoke and water and the people of the city were distraught over the tragedy. A suspect, Harry Peak, was charged with arson, but the legal team had little definitive evidence and over time the case fizzled. In The Library Book, award-winning New Yorker reporter and New York Times bestselling author, Susan Orlean takes us through this horrific event that shocks the city and changes many of the employees and volunteers forever. Susan Orlean enlightens us with facts, anecdotes and eye-opening information that forms the unique history of the Los Angeles Public Library and all libraries worldwide. Readers will learn the special measures taken for salvaging books, such as saving those who suffered from water damage by freezing them for two years in lockers owned by local merchants to prevent the growth of mold spores. Other dynamic and engrossing aspects of this story include the ongoing and arduous investigation of Harry Peak, the help desk that answered every question imaginable before Google existed, and finally the importance of the education and support programs developed for immigrants, the homeless and all the people of the city. Needless to say, I learned quite a bit and thoroughly enjoyed this moving book!

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The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Genre: Book Club Network, Crime, Nonfiction
Author: Susan Orlean
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781476740200
Jennifer Blankfein

Jennifer Gans Blankfein is a freelance marketing consultant and book reviewer. She graduated from Lehigh University with a Psychology degree and has a background in advertising. Her experience includes event coordination and fundraising along with editing a weekly, local, small business newsletter. Jennifer loves to talk about books, is an avid reader, and currently writes a book blog, Book Nation by Jen. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two sons and black lab.

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