This is a laugh-out-loud book about books by a book lover. If you love books, have fond memories of books you've read in your life, and/or keep lists of what you read, then at a minimum you'll be entertained by Spence's observations (even if you don't completely share her taste in books). I loved hearing Spence talk about her favorites, ridiculous books that are past their prime, and *so many books* I've never heard of (but will now have to look up).

For better or worse, there's not a narrative arc in this story -- it's simply a collection of "letters" Spence pens to various books. On the plus side, a reader could pick this up and randomly choose a chapter to read for a good laugh. Read in its entirety over the couse of a couple of days, the book felt a bit monotonous (especially when hearing about "The Virgin Suicides" for the fifth time).

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This was excellent

Honestly, I bought this book because the excerpt amused me. Now I tremble with the thought that I could easily have missed it. It's just like the long, fun conversations I had with my bookstore coworkers all the time. It brought back so many happy memories, and renewed my desire to become a librarian myself. That's always been my dream, and this book perfectly showcases why. Not incidentally, my TBR list has experienced a growth spurt, too. ( )

A Gen-X librarian's snarky, laugh-out-loud funny, deeply moving collection of love letters and break-up notes to the books in her life.

Librarians spend their lives weeding--not weeds but books! Books that have reached the end of their shelf life, both literally and figuratively. They remove the books that patrons no longer check out. And they put back the books they treasure. Annie Spence, who has a decade of experience as a Midwestern librarian, does this not only at her Michigan library but also at home, for her neighbors, at cocktail parties—everywhere. In Dear Fahrenheit 451, she addresses those books directly. We read her love letters to The Goldfinch and Matilda, as well as her snarky break-ups with Fifty Shades of Grey and Dear John. Her notes to The Virgin Suicides and The Time Traveler’s Wife feel like classics, sure to strike a powerful chord with readers. Through the lens of the books in her life, Annie comments on everything from women’s psychology to gay culture to health to poverty to childhood aspirations. Hilarious, compassionate, and wise, Dear Fahrenheit 451 is the consummate book-lover's birthday present, stocking stuffer, holiday gift, and all-purpose humor book. ( )

An, engrossing love letter to libraries and books of all descriptions, an excellent source for recommendations on subjects you didn't even know you needed ("Books that Lead to More Books", "Good Books with Bad Covers", "Books about Librarians" etc.), and a just plain funny, relatable read, this book has anything and everything you could ask for. Read it to hear the author's thoughts on some of your own all time favorites, read it to find a new series, novel, or memoir to be obsessed with, or read it just to appreciate the wonders of the Public Library, whatever your motivations you need this book in your life. "Dear Fahrenheit 451" is insightful without being stuffy, humorous without being absurd, cathartic for librarians yet universal enough to speak to any reader who has ever lost themselves in an especially brilliant novel, story, or biography. Do yourself a favor, before your next visit to the library or trip to Barnes & Noble, peruse this brief love letter to literacy and I promise you'll have new titles to add to that ever expanding "to read" list, a renewed sense of joy in your reading, and a fresh appreciation for your local library. ( )

Too cute. Not the book for me. I thought it would be a little more analytical, but it's just what it's billed as: love letters to books.