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3.5
Packing My Library: An Elegy and Ten Digressions
ByPublisher Description
A best-selling author and world-renowned bibliophile meditates on his vast personal library and champions the vital role of all librariesA best-selling author and world-renowned bibliophile meditates on his vast personal library and champions the vital role of all libraries
In June 2015 Alberto Manguel prepared to leave his centuries-old village home in France’s Loire Valley and reestablish himself in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Packing up his enormous, 35,000‑volume personal library, choosing which books to keep, store, or cast out, Manguel found himself in deep reverie on the nature of relationships between books and readers, books and collectors, order and disorder, memory and reading. In this poignant and personal reevaluation of his life as a reader, the author illuminates the highly personal art of reading and affirms the vital role of public libraries.
Manguel’s musings range widely, from delightful reflections on the idiosyncrasies of book lovers to deeper analyses of historic and catastrophic book events, including the burning of ancient Alexandria’s library and contemporary library lootings at the hands of ISIS. With insight and passion, the author underscores the universal centrality of books and their unique importance to a democratic, civilized, and engaged society.
In June 2015 Alberto Manguel prepared to leave his centuries-old village home in France’s Loire Valley and reestablish himself in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Packing up his enormous, 35,000‑volume personal library, choosing which books to keep, store, or cast out, Manguel found himself in deep reverie on the nature of relationships between books and readers, books and collectors, order and disorder, memory and reading. In this poignant and personal reevaluation of his life as a reader, the author illuminates the highly personal art of reading and affirms the vital role of public libraries.
Manguel’s musings range widely, from delightful reflections on the idiosyncrasies of book lovers to deeper analyses of historic and catastrophic book events, including the burning of ancient Alexandria’s library and contemporary library lootings at the hands of ISIS. With insight and passion, the author underscores the universal centrality of books and their unique importance to a democratic, civilized, and engaged society.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesPacking My Library: An Elegy and Ten Digressions Reviews
3.5
“I love anything by Alberto Manguel. 📖
Many literary and philosophical references were over my head but I love hearing his musings on reading, books and libraries. And an extra little love for the fact that he’s Argentinian born but identifies as Canadian 🇦🇷🇨🇦”
“A personal reflection on books and the libraries that we cultivate; the beauty is in Manguel’s far-reaching memory and philosophical exploration.”
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