FORGOTTEN BOOK: SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS: TRUE STORIES OF THE MAGIC OF READING

 Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians:  True Stories of the Magic of Reading by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann, with Chris Mooney  (2024)

Okay.  I lied.  This is not a forgotten book -- it only came out last year.  And the author is one of the most prolific and best-selling authors of our time.  When I say prolific I mean it.  Last year Patterson published 93 books (my estimate; don't hold me to it).  And many of his books -- suspense, mysteries, fantasies -- fly off the shelves, but some belong in little niche marketplaces and don't get the wide exposure his bestsellers do. 

So when I say forgotten, perhaps I mean just lesser known.  But not underappreciated.  Never underappreciated.  Some of you, I know, have heard of the book and have read it and really appreciate it.

What we have here is a series of short pieces from various booksellers and librarians throughout the United States and Canada about their jobs, how they got them, what they do, the various customers the interact with, and the not-so-secret joys of helping a reader connect with a book they love.  Many of the stories about helping to connect young children and teenagers to a lifelong love of reading.  Some are about the customers who have shared their hopes, dreams, tragedies, and triumphs with them.  some of the stories are about the kindness of authors, or the reciprocal brotherhood of fellow booksellers.  And some are about the challenges librarians face from organized groups determined to ban certain types of books, and the political pressure that can be rained down on them.  In ways large and small they are heroes all.

One theme stands out.  Books are for everyone.  Not everyone will like every book, but every person has a right to like the books they like.  No one has the right to tell another person what books they should or should not read.  And that still holds true because, for the time being anyhow, this is America.  If you want to look at a true democracy, look at your public library -- it is open to ALL, and the books are FREE.

I was especially pleased to see pieces from McKenna Jordan, owner of Houston's Murder By the Book, and Judy Blume, who runs Books & Books in Key West.  A not-so-small part of me wonders how many of these marvelous bookstores and libraries will be open five years from now.  a larger not-so-small part of me is not worried because readers as a whole are enthusiastic and vocal and will not go quietly into that night.

One thing that bothered me about the book:  the stories are told in the present tense.  Good for creating intimacy, I suppose, but just a little off-putting because I'm sure most of those whose stories are told do not speak that way.  A minor point, but I had to get it off my chest.

Taken alone, each individual story may not mean much to the world at large.  But each story touches upon a person or a group of persons who have been positively affected by both booksellers and librarians.  Taken as a whole, the book is a powerful statement of hope and courage.  And each of us readers can be the hero the future needs if we spread the word.

Highly recommended.