MADreads

The dark underbelly of libraries

December 21st, 2007 Robin - Pinney

When I stumbled across Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library, I felt a little shiver run down my spine.  Even though its author, Don Borchert, works in a suburban L.A. library and I work at the lil’ ol’ Meadowridge branch, the stories resonated with me.  If you’re a person who loves libraries, flaws and all, or if you just get a kick out of people-watching, give this book a whirl.

One of my favorite tales involves two men waiting outside the library with a group of gradeschoolers: one man in spandex tights and a tutu and both drinking from a fifth of whiskey.  Another anecdote that I’m unlikely to forget anytime soon describes A Horrible Item in the Bookdrop.  Some of the stories are funny, others are quite poignant, but all manage to be upbeat.  And each chapter could easily stand-alone, making this book perfect for frequently-interrupted holiday reading (a bathroom book, if you will…but please, don’t).

Entry Filed under: Nonfiction