The Library Book

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Such as the famed Library of Alexandria that burned down not just once but three times. Alas, while the book mentioned it, it was very brief and only about one of the fires. I imagine the authors had to trim down the history and therefore had to cut corners.

If anything, it shows with extreme clarity how much we’ve lost over time and how many works no longer exists that most likely should be celebrated. Time, decay, wars, religion, revolutions, and censorship from the Roman times until present day have robbed us of more books than we’ll ever know. There was one story I really wanted to hear about in this but which was unfortunately left out: that of Jella Lepman, who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930 but returned at the end of WW2 to provide children with education and books. She's the founder of the Children's Library in Munich. While others dropped medical and food supplies from planes, she arranged for the same to be done with books, saying that stories are just as vital (which I agree with). To this day, the Children's Library at Munich is one of the best in my opinion with a great creation story to boot. After falling out with his father over the time he spends in his room on his XBox, Tom discovered that the library could offer him some respite from the hours he spends at home alone. He is by nature very shy and awkward around people and prefers to stay at home where he feels safe. Because of this he doesn’t make friends, but he does feel the need for company sometimes. Naturally, the manufacture of books only really got rolling after the invention of the printing press. And education also played a part because until more "mundane" people could read, there just wasn't that big a demand for books.I'm happy to report that there could be a revolution brewing about Germany's public libraries at last. Only last week, I read an (admittedly older) article about the transformation of German libraries into places where people can connect, linger and spend entire days doing all kinds of things. For those of you who are now scratching their heads going "yeah ... aren't they already?!" I can only say that you obviously come from a much better place than me (library-wise). *lol* Maggie is a pensioner and has been happily alone for ten years, at least that's what she tells herself. When Tom comes to her rescue a friendship develops that could change her life. As Maggie helps Tom to stand up for himself, Tom helps Maggie realise the mistakes of her past don't have to define her future. Along the way, Orlean introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters from libraries past and present—from Mary Foy, who in 1880 at eighteen years old was named the head of the Los Angeles Public Library at a time when men still dominated the role, to Dr. C.J.K. Jones, a pastor, citrus farmer, and polymath known as “The Human Encyclopedia” who roamed the library dispensing information; from Charles Lummis, a wildly eccentric journalist and adventurer who was determined to make the L.A. library one of the best in the world, to the current staff, who do heroic work every day to ensure that their institution remains a vital part of the city it serves.

And this is exactly when libraries the way we think about them today were born. The libraries housed in monasteries or universities as well as the subscription libraries made way to the public libraries that allowed access to all citizens, who could either read there or take a book home. A principle which has remained the same ever since.The theme of this book is the possible closure of a local library, which is not a new premise. However this book is about so much more. Maggie is a pensioner and has been happily alone for ten years, at least that's what she tells herself. When Tom comes to her rescue, a friendship develops that could change her life. As Maggie helps Tom to stand up for himself, Tom helps Maggie realise the mistakes of her past don't have to define her future. Regarding the suspected arson, Orlean traces the story of suspect Harry Peak, who was arrested but ultimately not tried in a criminal trial for arson, due to the weakness of evidence against him. Peak and the City of Los Angeles settled dueling civil suits shortly before Peak’s death from complications of HIV/AIDS in 1993. Unfortunately, that was not my final takeaway. This is the sort of book that does not benefit from a straight cover-to-cover read. It would be better taken in pieces over a longer period of time. There is simply so much information to take in. It is apparent that the authors took great care in doing their research and they spared no detail. And I mean no detail. Therein lies my difficulty. As much as the subject appeals to me, and as much as I’ve enjoyed other books about similar subjects, this book bored me.

Maggie is 72 years young, she has been living alone for at least 10 years. She has a home and acreage with animals that she cares for. She keeps sheep for their fleece and enjoys caring for them. She likes her life but would like more people to interact with.

Open Library

The library seems to be an obvious choice for fulfilling the needs of the socially inept with its open doors inviting people from all walks of life to participate equally and without judgment. I recived a copy of The Library from NetGalley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review, Bella Osborne's book is beautifully written, it made me cry in a good way, my heart feels full of hope, and five big stars from me.

Tom Harris is struggling. He is 16-years-old, has no close friends and tragically lost his mother when he was eight. His father is an unhappy factory worker drowning his sorrows in alcohol. A chance meeting at the town’s library with 72-year-old Maggie changes everything. Maggie is a flower child of the ‘60s and cares for animals on her small farm. A special bond is created that opens up a new world for Tom. And widowed Maggie’s life is brightened by the new friendship. When it is announced that their library is slated for closing, Maggie and Tom gear into action. But this is much more than a “save the library” story. It is a very touching book about how two people help each other fill a deep void in their lives.And let's not forget that royal patronage was as essential to the scholar as to the ruler (a kind of symbiosis) since the ruler profited from insights or even scientific breakthroughs that meant they could establish or even expand their rule while the scholar had the means to pursue the sciences and in relative safety.