This post is a part of an original series created by librarians/media specialists across Central Minnesota featuring books. If you have a book you would like to showcase, send your review to our offices.

Review by Maria Burnham, SRRHS Library Media Specialist

Book Review for The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne

I originally selected this book because it’s obviously a memoir about being a librarian, something that I can relate to.  However, the book is about so much more than that.  John Hanagarne recalls memories of his childhood as a boy obsessed with reading who also happens to have Tourette’s.  In reading this memoir, I learned about the Mormon church, Tourette’s syndrome, kettleball training, the daily challenges as a public librarian, and the power of unconditional love.  This book made me laugh out loud, mainly in the descriptions of the bizarre scenarios that take place in a large metropolitan public library.  But I also loved the formatting of the book–each chapter started with subject heading and Dewey numbers relating to the topic.  Although the book covers so many aspects of Josh’s life, perhaps the part I loved most is his insight into the power of a library and its place in our democracy.  His extraordinary descriptions of the power of books, information and literacy is bound to make any reader’s heart fill with joy.  If you love books, learning, feel-good stories, libraries, or just want to laugh out loud, this is the book for you.  A-mazing!

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