The writing is at turns interesting and pompous, leaning mostly to the pompous. The book also has some factual errors about the Google book scanning project, which weakens the critique, but only if you know the details. Mostly, this ended up being an annoying effort to show off the breadth of reading by this writer. ( )

I love libraries, visit one weekly and, appropriately enough, I borrowed this book from my local library. In my youth my dream had been to own a large library with walled shelves along with comfortable chairs, low lighting, and reading tables. That hasn't quite worked out like I had hoped-my books are double-stacked on my shelves and sitting in piles on the floor! Alberto Manguel built his dream library out of the remains of an old stone barn and filled it with his many books. It sounds so beautiful and I am so very envious.

The book describes libraries of the past, and in many forms and settings. I found out that the famous Library at Alexandria did not burn down in one big conflagration, it more just withered away. He writes of secret libraries, historical libraries, national libraries, imagined libraries, book burnings (sadly they still happen, and here in the United States), and much more. We live in a society where books are being banned and librarians and teachers can be arrested for carrying or promoting certain books. Where the U.S government can flag library patrons for books that they take out. Funds are being dramatically cut to libraries. This is very sad and terrible. For many, libraries are the only source of books, study, and reading. Libraries are necessary for a free society. I think I need to re-read Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451...

Manguel writes almost poetically in his descriptions, and this was a joy to read. Anyone who loves books and libraries (everyone in Goodreads?) will enjoy this. And use an "I read banned books" bookmark-I did!!


( )

This wasn't as rich and strange as I hoped it would be, but that is probably what could be said about every library. The promise of all the books on shelves is more thrilling than the contents of each volume on its own. It's still a lovely read and a lovely gift. ( )

Manguel shares with us the ideal life of a bibliophile from the vantage point of someone with the means to live that life. He intercuts his own story with fascinating histories of other notable libraries and bibliophiles. ( )

A partir da sua mítica biblioteca pessoal, Alberto Manguel, um dos mais conceituados bibliófilos do mundo, conta-nos tudo o que sabe sobre a história, o fascínio e os enigmas das bibliotecas.

Ao construir a sua biblioteca com mais de 40 mil livros num antigo presbitério em França, Alberto Manguel debateu-se com as mesmas questões de um qualquer bibliotecário caseiro: é melhor dividir por línguas? A ordem alfabética será a mais prática? Os géneros não deviam estar agrupados? Mesmo que não existam respostas certas, neste livro Manguel conta pelo menos as melhores histórias: Há bibliotecas públicas com secções como «Esgotos: Obras Seleccionadas», e umas privadas onde, alfabeticamente, os amigos-escritores Borges e Bioy Casares ficam lado a lado; há bibliotecários corajosos que alteram registos de requisição para salvar livros, e livros corajosos que salvam homens torturados; há livros perdidos, livros proibidos, livros digitais, livros que ficam numa prateleira demasiado alta e livros imaginados – mas todos eles ocupam um espaço e enchem estantes pelo mundo, tal como preenchem esta "Biblioteca à Noite".