Customer Comments

The Loopy Librarian has commented on (43) products.

The World's Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette's, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family by Josh Hanagarne

The Loopy Librarian, May 7, 2013

Amazing and Inspiring! Josh is a natural storyteller with a quick wit that comes through in his writing. That he would choose to be a librarian (a place for quiet and stillness) when he struggles with one of the worst cases of Tourette's that one could have is a testament to his determination to master his disorder rather than have the disorder control him. He's 6 foot 7 inches tall but a self-professed bookworm. He's not at all what you would picture when you think of a librarian which makes him something of an enigma. His story is all the more fascinating for it.

He writes in a series of entries headed by Dewey decimal numbers designating the subject area. Very clever. Rather than a running narrative, the book switches back and forth through stories of library patrons (you may be surprised by the insanity with which librarians sometimes have to deal), growing up with Tourette's, and living out his Mormon faith. He also includes other interesting anecdotes about dating, becoming a father, strength training, etc. It was an unusual writing style, but it worked.

I stayed up until 2AM to finish this book. I was never bored. Josh has lived such a fascinating life and met some rather extraordinary people. He is also refreshingly and brutally honest. He does not make himself out to be a hero, and he gives his family most of the credit for where he is today. His battle with Tourette's rages on, but his strength training has helped him to cope. As a reader, I couldn't help but get caught up in his story. As a librarian, I related. As a bi-polar, I related. I've even taken some of the same medications that he has. But mostly, I felt a connection as a fellow human being trying to make sense of a sometimes nonsensical world. I think Josh says it well when he notes that not even libraries hold the answer to every question. Not every question has an answer.

Ideas to discuss:

Importance of Faith
Adoption
Dealing with Tourette's or other conditions

Words I liked:

Desiccated
Transcendent
Obelisk
Schism
Excoriate
Hoary Vassal
Disquisition

Conversations to strike up:

Hardships you've had to overcome
The value of libraries and literacy
The support of family

I highly recommend this book! It truly is an inspirational, educational, and humorous read.

In compliance with FTC guidelines, please note that I received a free advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

The Loopy Librarian, January 2, 2013

Inspiring from start to finish, this book had me rooting for the characters at every juncture. Whenever I would go to the mailbox, I would think of Harold and how his intent to post a letter became a 600 mile journey. He sets out to save his friend, but ends up saving his marriage and changing his life. I think I was even jealous of Harold. I was captivated by the idea of taking off on a whim as he did and accomplishing the impossible despite all odds. He wasn’t trying to be heroic, nor was he. He was just an old man trying to find redemption and purpose. I felt privileged to have taken the journey with him. A worthy read!

In accordance with FTC guidelines, I was provided a review copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

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The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George

The Loopy Librarian, October 1, 2012

The heavily wooded Whidbey Island is the perfect setting for this mystery. The characters all have secrets and are suspicious of one another. Rumors abound. The truth is elusive. Nothing is exactly as it seems. Becca King, the main character, must keep her secrets or risk her life. Becca has courage and heart. I couldn’t help but like her. The relationships she develops are filled with complex emotions as she struggles to trust in the face of uncertainty. Her unique ability to hear “whispers” is a magical thing that she has yet to master but is very intriguing. The Edge of Nowhere is the first in a cycle of books that will be following these characters, and I look forward to the next in the series. There are many secrets yet to be revealed.

In compliance with FTC regulations, please note that I received a free review copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

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Mortal Fire (Secret of the Journal) by C F Dunn

The Loopy Librarian, September 21, 2012

I was drawn into this story almost immediately. The author created a setting and atmosphere that breathed tension and suspense. The danger was unknown and unseen, but palpable. The characters were well-formed for the most part and the romantic elements managed to be almost erotic without conflicting with Christian values. It stands out from other Christian fiction that I've read in that it has flawed characters and never gets preachy. The plot itself unfolds rather slowly, but the relationships, especially the one between Matthew and Emma with their intense attraction to one another, keep the reader's interest. Also, the author does an amazing job of sustaining the suspense and tension before anything particularly sinister occurs. I'm looking forward to the sequel as I can't wait to see what happens next!

In compliance with FTC regulations, please note that I received a free review copy from Kregel Blog Tours.

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Mortal Fire (Secret of the Journal) by C F Dunn

The Loopy Librarian, September 21, 2012

I was drawn into this story almost immediately. The author created a setting and atmosphere that breathed tension and suspense. The danger was unknown and unseen, but palpable. The characters were well-formed for the most part and the romantic elements managed to be almost erotic without conflicting with Christian values. It stands out from other Christian fiction that I've read in that it has flawed characters and never gets preachy. The plot itself unfolds rather slowly, but the relationships, especially the one between Matthew and Emma with their intense attraction to one another, keep the reader's interest. Also, the author does an amazing job of sustaining the suspense and tension before anything particularly sinister occurs. I'm looking forward to the sequel as I can't wait to see what happens next!

In compliance with FTC regulations, please note that I received a free review copy from Kregel Blog Tours.

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