"The Library at Night," by Alberto Manguel
In these times of divisiveness, it was comforting to read "The Library at Night" by Alberto Manguel (Yale University Press, 2009), which examines the inclusive generosity and breadth of what it means to acquire books, whether for public engagement or for personal fulfillment. Each chapter covers how libraries may be perceived, for instance, as imagination, as order, as space, as identity.
Manguel's charm as a writer is that he can offer historical anecdotes with as much warmth as his personal observations. His other books, "Reading Pictures" and "The History of Reading," have this same quality. The book itself is also nicely illustrated.
I have had this book on my shelf for a while, and the pandemic helped me get to it.
Karolyn Redoute, Minneapolis
Good Reads are just what they sound like — recommendations of something good to read from you, the reader. Send your suggestions to books@startribune.com and please include your name and city.
