Summary: A collection of first-person accounts from booksellers and librarians about why they love doing what they do.

“I want to make sure people keep getting books they want, books they like. I call it Book Joy, matching people with books that will bring them the most happiness.” –Kelly Moore

Kelly Moore is just one of the many booksellers and librarians who contributed first-person accounts of their love of working with books to this delightful book compiled by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann. In case you didn’t know, Patterson is not only a hugely successful and prolific writer of thrillers, he is a huge fan of booksellers and librarians–those who get books into the hands of readers. He’s given generous support to literacy efforts and grants to independent booksellers.

Here he lets them tell the story of why they love what they do. Kelly’s statement captures a common theme–connecting people with books they love. Some of their greatest joy comes when they help reluctant readers find books they love, turning them, degree by degree into readers. Part of the work is careful listening, picking up the cues that signal what a person may like. And sometimes it involves being a detective, using the few clues a patron or customer can offer to help them find that book they are looking for.

The other big theme is that these people love books and reading. It is so much more than checking out books or ringing up sales. They enjoy talking books, sharing something they’ve read that someone else may like. A friend of mine who is a bookseller is mystified by people who think they can be booksellers without loving books.

Perhaps this needs to be so because it is a challenging life. Both librarians and booksellers have a variety of administrative tasks that allow them to do what they love, from reading publications on new releases to select what they think their patrons will like, to unpacking and shelving, tracking sales and inventory and scheduling events. It’s awesome to meet authors at booksignings but there is a lot of setup to make it work for everyone.

Some started young, working as a page or a clerk and eventually managing a department of a library or owning a store. Others describe mid-career changes, often when a job was lost. Many had always been readers and even dreamed of pursuing working in a library or bookselling and realized they could no longer wait.

There was one serious note, which was the growing number of efforts to remove books from libraries that a small group deemed objectionable. It meant a job loss for one writer and courageous stands for others. One thing was clear, when communities heard and protested, this was often decisive.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work in a library or a bookstore? This book will give you a good picture of both the joy and the work. If nothing else, it should give you an appreciation for what a special breed any dedicated bookseller or librarian is. If you haven’t noticed, this book is a good education. And if you have, this book will serve as a good reminder to find ways to support and appreciate their work. There are book deserts. if you are not in one, thank the people who make that possible and support their efforts to sustain their presence! ( )

I thought this would be short essays by different booksellers and librarians , telling their stories. It is their stories, but they are all told by the author, so you don’t hear their voices, you hear his. Because of this, the stories all kind of run together, sound the same, and it’s boring.
I was disappointed ( )

I'm not a fan of James Patterson’s bare bones writing but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this collection of personal stories from more than sixty book enthusiasts – authors, librarians, and book sellers, among others. I would have liked it better if the stories had shown a little more personality instead of them all sounding the same. Same word choices, same sparse phrasing, same opinions. Also, the book is divided into five sections, although I couldn’t tell how the stories in one section were really any different than those in another. You know, on thinking it over I guess I didn’t enjoy this so much after all. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. Reading the stories of booksellers and librarians was very interesting. ( )

Would it suffice it to say that after I'd finished my free but temporary digital galley edition I immediately got myself an audio so no one who visits me can abscond with my copy (a common problem in my house)?
I really enjoyed hearing how so many librarians and booksellers came to do what they really enjoy. It was always a given that they love to read books, smell books, share books, but there are so many other intangibles that made this such a great read. The fact that each is in their own words makes it even better!
I requested and received a free temporary digital galley edition from Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley. Thanks for sharing! ( )