Packing My Library

A best-selling author and world-renowned bibliophile meditates on his vast personal library and champions the vital role of all libraries. The author brings a fresh hopefulness to the enterprise of books and reading. Vintage Manguela pleasure for his many readers and admirers.Kirkus Reviews In June 2015 Alberto Manguel prepared to leave his centuries-old village home in Frances Loire Valley and reestablish himself in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattans Upper West Side. Packing up his enormous, 35,000volume 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. Manguels 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 Alexandrias 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.