The Library Book is as advertised, a love letter of sorts to libraries and all they have been and can offer us in the future. If you are a friend and lover of the library, I think this book is homerun. 

It blends a bit of mystery, true crime, and lots of interesting perspectives to tell the story of LA's Central Library which burned in 1986. The beginning of the book focuses almost exclusively on the tragic burning of this huge library, and then Orlean begins introducing other topics and weaving back to the burning as it relates to the topics at hand. I learned so much from this book about unexpected topics (the evolving science of solving arson cases, the specifics of restoring books damaged in a fire, and so on), and it affirmed so many of the amazing things I see happening in the thriving library system of my relatively small city. 

I don't think a review can do this one justice, but you aren't surprised. It's right on the tin, I'm a library fanatic.