Los Angeles Central Library Fire 1986

The Library Book

Author: Susan Orlean

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Publication Date: October 16, 2018

Length: 336 Pages










About the Author
Susan Orlean has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992. She is the author of seven books, including Rin Tin Tin, Saturday Night, and The Orchid Thief, which was made into the Academy Award–winning film Adaptation.

Fascinating History of the LA Public Library
This true story begins on April 29, 1986...the day of a devastating fire at the Los Angeles Central Library. Susan Orlean investigates a mystery that has never been solved: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library...and if so, who?

Ms. Orlean shares extensive research in this riveting book about the history of the library, the library architecture, the library employees, library patrons, the library culture and the accused arsonist, Harry Peak.

My Thoughts
I worked as a school librarian for many years, so the title of this book piqued my curiosity. The author tells of her childhood love of reading and her frequent visits to a public library in her neighborhood. She wrote this book as a tribute to libraries and the important role they play in our society.

They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and that is certainly the case with this book. In her quest to investigate the library fire, Ms. Orlean traces the history of the library back to 1926. She explores the library culture and the personalities of the people who held leadership positions at the library and the librarians who spent their days performing the duties required to serve the library patrons. She investigates the challenges the library has faced in recent years and shares her thoughts about the future of the library.

The author can't understand why anyone would intentionally start a fire in the library. She is not convinced that this was actually a case of arson. However, she admits that this is probably a mystery that will never be solved. Harry Peak, the main suspect in the arson case, was arrested but released because of lack of evidence. He later died of AIDS.

I found this book extremely informative, enlightening and even entertaining. The author did an amazing job mixing the intrigue of the fire mystery and the more unremarkable history of the library.

I believe this book will be on the shelves of many libraries and all library enthusiasts will devour the pages and be hungry for more. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please FOLLOW and share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Brave Girls Never Give Up - A Children's Book Review

The Adventures of Lucy Snigglefritz: Book One

Author: Patrick Milne

Illustrator: Stephanie Faye

Publisher: Fayemous Books

Publication Date: September 16, 2013

Age Level: 4 - 7 years

 
About the Author
Patrick Milne is the author of two Kindle books for kids.
 
A Brave Girl Never Gives Up!
Lucy Snigglefritz is a star performer in Amazing Avido's Circus. She is famous for her daring tricks and magnificent performances.

As Lucy grows older, her popularity declines. She is eight years old and could no longer perform the "puppy tricks" she once did with ease.

"You're not as young as you used to be," snarled Avido Padrone.
"No one wants to see an old dog doing puppy tricks."

Lucy is abandoned at the side of the road when the circus moves to their next destination. She is heartbroken.

Lucy's future is not as bleak as it first appears. She wanders into a fire station and befriends Sooty, the fire dog. Lucy discovers her inner courage when she accompanies the fire fighters to a burning house.

My Thoughts
Lucy Snigglefritz...I love the name and I think kids will love it too.
I am a long-time proponent of Kindle books for kids. 

I read this digital book on a 7" Kindle screen. At first, the illustrations and print seemed very small. However, I discovered you can "drag" the image with your fingers and make it fill the entire screen (kids will probably figure this out much faster than I did.)

Lucy is a strong and lovable female character and the story is extremely entertaining. Even though Lucy is abandoned by her owner, she overcomes her difficulties and uses the skills she learned in the circus to save a stranded kitten in the house fire. 

This book touches on the following issues that children may want to think about:

• Animal abandonment and care.
• Age discrimination.
• Gender equality.

 Lucy proves that old dogs CAN do puppy tricks and much more!

MY RATING:  5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I borrowed this book with my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Thank you for reading my book review. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.