The Library at Night - Alberto Manguel

The greatest thing about any online site or program that allows a reader to create virtual shelves for books is that it allows the reader to create virtual shelves for books.  If you have a library, a private library, than you know the contrasting feeling of joy of rearranging the books but also the terror of doing it.    But you also know the joy of being surrounded by your books.

                This is a book about books en masse for people who own them in masse.  If you have two books, this is not the book for you.  If you are worried about being crushed to death by library, read this.  Once you have moved past envy for someone who has his own free standing library designed how he sees fit, you will fall in love with this book (and add more books to your own library).

 

                In this book, Manuel takes the reader on a tour of that which they already know.  It is how we see the library.  Along the way, you will be told stories about the power of books, the importance of books, and the conflicting “arghs” that we go though when we shelve books.

 

                It’s about books.  It’s about the power of books.

 

In particular, in light of recent events on various reviews and reviewing sites, I think anyone who has followed those you want to call them, should read this book.  The section on censorship alone is worth the cost of the book and points out the essential truth of censorship – we all censored, but then goes into the debate about how far is too far.