The Library Book

The Library Book by Susan Orlean, 317 pages

In this fascinating book, Orlean simultaneously traces the history of the Los Angeles Public Library; provides insight into the fire (and most likely suspect in the arson) that devastated the central branch in 1986; and profiles the library system as it is today. What results is a love letter to not just the Los Angeles library system, but to all public libraries. This is simply a wonderful book, and I'd recommend it to everyone: library lovers, those who have no idea what librarians actually do, people interested in social issues, true crime fans, history buffs. It truly has something for everyone.