This sometimes ludicrous, but always poignant memoir is in part a love poem to public libraries and in part a moving account of living with Tourette’s Syndrome. Josh Hanagarne is a librarian in Salt Lake City Public Library who starts his book by describing his workplace as “a giant pair of glass underpants” and pointing out that in the collection of a public library “there’s something to offend everyone.” He keeps up the literary theme with chapter headings labelled with Dewey Decimal Numbers and a sprinkling of the names of books to make his points.
At the same time that is is a celebration of libraries, Hanagarne’s book is also the story of a life lived with the involuntary tics, movements and vocalizations of Tourette’s Syndrome. Hanagarne’s tics started when he was a small boy and made a misery of his teenage years as he dealt with a a difficult and–above all–visible disease. His early adulthood was a story of never being able to settle as he went in and out of jobs and school programs. As the subtitle points out this is also the story of the Power of Family and Josh’s family–parents, siblings, and wife–always supported him through Tourette’s Syndrome, schooling, life, struggles with infertility, and the various types of physical training which he attempted in order to control his tics. He is a large man who works his way up to a 590-pound dead lift (I am not sure what that is, but it sounds incredibly impressive), but from reading his memoir his true strength isn’t physical, rather it is his strength of character and strength as a human being that shines through.
Try The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette’s, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family if you like memoirs about overcoming adversity. Other books in our library about living with Tourette’s Syndrome include: Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had, by Brad Cohen with Lisa Wysocky or Against Medical Advice: a True Story, by James Patterson and Hal Friedman.
Don’t assume this is a dark book, because Hanagarne is able to bring humor even to the description of library patrons throwing up in trash cans or his classmates jeering at him for his Tourette’s tics. And best of all for a librarian is the paean to public libraries: “I had faith in the library long before he walked in and told me what I already knew: A library is a miracle.”
Check the WRL catalog for The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette’s, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family.
Reblogged this on fadhlilah07.
I’ve seen a few other reviews for this book and I’m going to add it to my TBR as soon as I clear the shelves of my current TBR. I’m a sucker for a memoir.
Melanie
Yes, my To Be Read pile does not seem to get smaller! One of the great things about working in a library is that I can always check a book out again later if I don’t finish reading it…
Jan
I just finished reading this book. I found Josh’s journey very inspirational. This would be a good read for anyone overcoming obstacles. Also, loved all the library references and stories.
I agree, Josh sounds like a pretty amazing person. And as a librarian I am always glad to see a well-written and accessible account of what it’s really like to work in a library.
Jan
Reblogged this on thependanttrilogy.
I have GOT to stop coming to this site. The problem with having an e-reader is that you cannot physically see the books piling up so there is less sense of urgency about reading them. This book sounds fascinating.
Kathy
I am not sure that piles of books at home result in a sense of urgency to read them – just a mess! But it is great to work in a library and come across lots of new Must Reads. I am glad you find our blog has good suggestions, keep coming back!
Jan
[…] There are so many reasons for someone to read this book. I’m so happy I finally did. You can read other great reviews of this book at The Bookshelf of Emily J., The Relentless Reader, and Blogging For a Good Book. […]