Reviews

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: Their stories are better than the bestsellers by Matt Eversmann, James Patterson

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booktalkwithkarla's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

“My recharge button is reading.”

Reading this book of stories from librarians and booksellers felt like attending a giant conference and having conversations with a diverse group of readers. Except I didn’t have to travel or deal with my introversion related anxieties. I enjoyed the experience and getting to know more about the lives of people who are on the front lines of book sharing.

Sometimes the writing (by real people) and tense chosen (don’t like the present tense for past events - historic present) was an obstacle and caused me to pause and re-read the sentence again. But overall this was a good reading experience and I think it’s courageous for people to tell their stories.

The collection was organized in to 5 parts - playing detective, talking about books, not having books in our lives, loving to read (anything), and just one more chapter - all relatable topics to a reader.

Here is a list of my favorite essays (for my own reference later):

Lynn Greene (bookseller)

Diego Sandoval Hernandez (librarian)

Mike Bursaw (bookseller)

Elaine Petrocelli (bookseller)

Suzanne Lucey (bookseller)

David Lucey (bookseller)

Dena Heilik (librarian)

Mara Zonderman (librarian)

Bill Kelly (librarian)

Janice Turneville (bookseller)

Bob Wells (bookseller)

Thank you to all the people who shared their true stories of the magic of reading. It was fun to read and to consider the importance of reading in my own life.

jennifermreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.0

I was ecstatic to see James Patterson and Matt Eversmann had compiled a book of essays by booksellers and librarians. Have your pen handy: when booksellers and librarians talk, the book title and author recommendations flow freely!

I loved the essays written about book challenges. It is wonderful seeing the advocacy that my colleagues are doing to make sure that book choices remain ours to make: for us and for our own children. It did sadden me to read of Martha Johnson’s retirement because of her work. And she was successful in keeping books on shelves but the names she was called, the claims that were made about her? Horrible.

Of course, I had many highlighted quotes and there was much head-nodding as I read of their experiences. I fist-pumped when reading this in Sarah Galvin’s chapter:
“All she wants to read are graphic novels,” the mother complains. “She’s not reading, you know, real books.”

“If she loves graphic novels, let her read graphic novels,” I say. “I didn’t pick up a book until I was nineteen.”

The mother stares at me, shocked. I know what she’s thinking. How could someone who didn’t rad until they were nineteen own a bookstore?

“If she wants to read a magazine, let her read a magazine. If she wants to read The Guinness Book of World Records, then let her read that. Don’t squash her love of reading. There’s so much pressure. Eventually, she’ll find books she’ll connect with. Just keep reading fun.”

So, why, then, only three stars? Because I didn't feel like the editors did their job. The title is not reflective of the contents: this is not about the LIVES of booksellers and librarians. They are not only about their jobs and books. The contributors are human beings with multiple interests and pursuits. The single essay each writer penned did not recount their lives but a glimpse at what inspired them to join the field, an encounter with an author or reader, a book that was recommended to them or they recommended and it changed a person’s life.

Another misstep by the editors were the titles of the “Parts” of the book. When titling a section, I expect that title to reflect the contents of what follows. This worked best in “Part One: To be a bookseller, you have to play detective” and “Part Two: I could talk about books forever.” The section headings weren’t perfect but they mostly worked. It went off the rails with “Part Three: I can’t imagine what people do without books in their lives,” “Part Four: It doesn’t matter what you like to read, as long as you love to read,” and “Part Five: Just one more chapter, please, just one more chapter.

Part Five’s heading led me to believe I’d be reading essays about booksellers and librarians who left the field and returned because they missed it so much. Or they retired and wrote an essay illustrating what I always say: “Well, I’m retired but ‘once a librarian, always a librarian.’” Or how they met this challenge or request and came in the next day to the next challenge or request.

Was it a fun read? Yes. Having read a library book, will I buy a copy for my shelf? Nope. Will I read it again? No. Will I recommend it? Meh. Rather than a resounding “Do NOT miss this book,” I’ll recommend with explanation: a good vacation read for avid readers, booksellers, or librarians because the essays are short and easy to read in bursts plus the stories are inspiring and heart-warming.