While I found the research behind this book interesting, and incredibly well done, the presentation left something to be desired. It was a very dry read, filled with numbers. I kept hoping for something to jazz up the prose, but it continued plodding along without giving much excitement for the reader. This is sad since I have read Corbin's other book [b:The Village of Cannibals: Rage and Murder in France, 1870|1261520|The Village of Cannibals Rage and Murder in France, 1870|Alain Corbin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348956810s/1261520.jpg|1250365], and it is full of intriguing information that prompts questions as you read. This book, however, just made me question "When will it end?"

A few caveats to my review: 1) I was "reading" the audiobook which is narrated by the author and 2) I only got about half an hour in and 3) I didn't finish it.

Those caveats out of the way...man, was this book SLOW! I imagine if I had actually read it, I might enjoy it as I read much faster than I listen. So I do have it on hold at my library for the print version. Orlean tries to weave the history of the Los Angeles Public Library in with her recollections of growing up going to her local library in Ohio. And she might have succeeded with the part I got through, had she not used so many details. At first, I enjoyed the rich detail describing people waiting for the library to open and then I realized every page was going to include this over-flowery language and I thought I was in for a long listen. Which is why, after about half an hour, I called it quits. I just couldn't handle that. Well, and the author's voice. It made me want to sleep more than sit up and listen, and her monotone voice edged on scolding-schoolteacher that made it all the more unpleasant.

I'll update my review once I try with the ebook version, and hopefully have a better experience!