A fire nearly destroyed the Central Library in Los Angeles in 1986 in an epic conflagration of mysterious origins that nearly consumed its collection and the historic edifice in which it was housed. While the fire and the subsequent investigation into its cause form the backbone of this nonfiction work, Susan Orlean ( The Orchid Thief ) fills alternating chapters with history of the library’s founding and development, glimpses into the lives of its sometimes quirky head librarians, and the ultimate renovation of the historic building. Also included are sections which show the mission of the library today—its service to hard-to-reach populations, the homeless, new citizens, teens, early literacy, special collections, and reference work in the era of Google. I like the way this piece of nonfiction reads like a novel, with interesting asides and characters. Libraries are a touchstone for many of us, and this book may provide particular interest and enjoymen...