This year, I’d like to post more detailed blogs about some of the books I have read and rated 5 out of 5 stars. Here is another one.
Book: “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading” by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann
About the author: James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and has received several awards.
About the book: This book consisted of short essays from booksellers and librarians.
When I read this book: March 2025
Here are some of my takeaways:
- Only 15% of adults in America read books.
- 33% of high school graduates never pick up another book.
- 42% of college grads don’t either.
Having a good library is not political. A good library will have books on vegetarianism and hunting. A good library will have books on every religion. A good library will have books about all eras of history, from ancient Rome to the Civil War to the Holocaust. A good library will have books about different countries, different cultures, and different life experiences.
I love it when a parent comes back and says, “My kid wasn’t a reader, but you guys suggested a book, and I gave it to him, and he hasn’t stopped reading. It’s like this whole new world has opened up for him.”
“I don’t see the library going away at all. We’ll just have to keep up with whatever comes next and evolve with what the citizens want. We hope they continue to want what we provide: lifelong learning and joy.”
When people tell me they want to open a bookstore because they like to read and love books, I always question, “Well, can you run a business?”
“There are so many good books out there that if this one’s not working for you, if you’re not enjoying it, don’t finish it.
You can decide what you and your kid read, but you can’t decide what me and my kid read.
“Public libraries are a public good. We try hard to stay relevant. We invest in technology. We invest in innovation. We are there to meet the needs of the community we’re in. And we’re staffed with some of the most naturally curious people out there.”
“Any kind of books for kids have gatekeepers. Kids are the intended readers, but they’re not the ones making the purchases. It’s grandparents, teachers, librarians, parents, older siblings. So, you’ve got to be able to figure out how to make that book appealing to both the person buying it and the person who is supposed to be reading it.”
Public libraries are open to everyone. And free. There aren’t that many public spaces left where you can go without the expectation of spending money.
I can’t imagine not reading for fun, but I know that many people view reading as work, which can cause them to resent it rather than enjoy it. Just reading for sheer pleasure, without expectation or judgment, is so important and rewarding. And having a place to read all the books you want – for free! – is a major part of what libraries offer.
I highly recommend this book to get perspectives from booksellers and librarians.
5 out of 5 stars
I look forward to reading, learning, and sharing more with you soon!
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