Public library and other stories

“Public Library and Other Stories” gets a star simply for the title. And, the other two are for the inter-story commentary or quotes about the importance of the library in each person's life or the services that the public library system provides to the community. These interspersed vignettes are marvelous and I wish that Ali Smith had made the entire book a love letter to libraries.

Honestly, the short stories were really odd. I couldn't get into any of them, nor did they really say much about libraries. Maybe I'm just missing the boat on the author's style, which I found disjointed, a bit stream of consciousness, and not enlightening.

Aside from this collection, the only work of Ali Smith's I've read is a novel, How to be both. With so little knowledge of the author, it may be premature for me to make assumptions about her writing, but I think it's safe to say that Smith is a very talented writer who speaks in thunderous whispers. What I mean by that is that her stories are decorated in gorgeous language, yet they're unassuming. They are often peopled by strong characters experiencing some small personal growth. There may not be much in the way of story. And while the stories may be affecting, they are not necessarily the most memorable.

It can be difficult to make strong opinions about this style of writing. Many of us belong to a society that is far too fast paced for such stories. While part of me wants to celebrate everything Smith and her ilk write, I must acknowledge that sometimes the stories may be a bit too unassuming. In her latest collection, Smith pairs her stories with brief reflections on public libraries. For the most part, the stories have little to do with libraries, though some touch momentarily on research or reading. Though a couple of the stories appealed to me, the strongest moments come from the library vignettes. These little reflections are often poignant. Overall, the collection has a nice rhythm and certainly captures the beauty of language, but it doesn't possess enough substance or heart as a whole to motivate a more enthusiastic response from me. Public Library and Other Stories aside, I do look forward to reading more of Smith's writing.

I took my time and read this all month long. It made me happy to read that people cherish libraries as much as I do, and this way my first time reading Ali Smith. My favorite story, by far, was The Art of Elsewhere but her writing blew me away.

4.5 stars.

i loved the short stories and i loved the people explaining what libraries meant to them. how important they had been while they were growing up. because the public library next to our house was one of the most important places in my life for the 10 years we lived there. i'd come there daily, sometimes. the people working knew my name and smiled at me when they saw me come in. i participated in all kinds of reader programs. i love that library. (i wrote loved at first but that isn't true. just because i haven't thought of my love for that place in a while doesn't mean it doesn't exist anymore.)

i don't think i've been back there for a long time. while i was in school the pressure of having to read books inside a three week time span somehow felt like too much.

it's been years since i have borrowed a book from an actual library. i have library friends now (you know who you are). but reading this book made me remember what an amazing place a regular library can be. how much it meant to me before. so i think i'll go visit soon when i get back home.