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The Library at Night
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
In the tradition of A History of Reading, this book is an account of Manguels astonishment at the variety, beauty and persistence of our efforts to shape the world and our lives, most notably through something almost as old as reading itself: libraries. The Library at Night begins with the design and construction of Alberto Manguels own library at his house in western France a process that raises puzzling questions about his past and his reading habits, as well as broader ones about the nature of categories, catalogues, architecture and identity. Thematically organized and beautifully illustrated, this book considers libraries as treasure troves and architectural spaces; it looks on them as autobiographies of their owners and as statements of national identity. It examines small personal libraries and libraries that started as philanthropic ventures, and analyzes the unending promise and defects of virtual ones. It compares different methods of categorization (and what they imply) and libraries that have built up by chance as opposed to by conscious direction. In part this is because this is about the library at night, not during the day: this book takes in what happens after the lights go out, when the world is sleeping, when books become the rightful owners of the library and the reader is the interloper. Then all daytime order is upended: one book calls to another across the shelves, and new alliances are created across time and space. And so, as well as the best design for a reading room and the makeup of Robinson Crusoes library, this book dwells on more "nocturnal" subjects: fictional libraries like those carried by Count Dracula and Frankensteins monster; shadow libraries of lost and censored books; imaginary libraries of books not yet written. The Library at Night is a fascinating voyage through the mind of one our most beloved men of letters. It is an invitation into his memory and vast knowledge of books and civilizations, and throughout though mostly implicitly it is also a passionate defence of literacy, of the unique pleasures of reading, of the importance of the book. As much as anything else, The Library at Night reminds us of what a library stands for: the possibility of illumination, of a better path for our society and for us as individuals. That hope too, at the close, is replaced by something that fits this personal and eclectic book even better: something more fragile, and evanescent than illumination, though just as important.
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tournevis
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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On BoingBoing this morning, a reminder that Library Extension will tell you in any of the libraries you have access to has copies of the books you're looking at. Has access to thousands of libraries in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
https://boingboing.net/2024/08/18/download-this-extension-if-you-love-books.html

Daisey This is one of my most used extensions! 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly I got a new computer over a year ago and while the Library Extension is still on Chrome, it no longer has any information about my libraries. I really need to fix that 🤦🏻‍♀️ 3mo
Velvetfur That sounds so good! Thanks for telling us about it 😁 3mo
See All 6 Comments
tournevis @Daisey I figured a lot of people here would know but just in case, linking it here might me useful. 2mo
tournevis @Clare-Dragonfly You might need to reset it or relog in. 2mo
30 likes6 comments
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GatheringBooks
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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#BookMoods Day 30: #SetInAPlaceYouLove - the library!!!

37 likes1 comment
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Bookish.SAM
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Pickpick

❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚
Went to see Robert LaPage‘s The Library At Night exhibit in Toronto today.

Both the book and the exhibit are must dos for library lovers.

33 likes1 stack add
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sarahljensen
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Pickpick

This year I've been reading many books about books or books about libraries. This one is one of my favorites. It is so exceptionally thoughtful and rich.

wanderinglynn What a beautiful kitty! ❤️🐱 3y
Crazeedi Your kitty is so adorable 3y
Crazeedi I love books about books, adding 3y
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RaeLovesToRead Hello fluffy!! 😻😻 3y
sarahljensen @RaeLovesToRead He has all the floofs :) 3y
sarahljensen @Crazeedi He's pretty darn cute :) 3y
Wesleypaker Hello 👋 how are you doing today ? 2y
37 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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charl08
Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Definitely #TeamBorges here...

wanderinglynn #teamBorges I can get behind Marie on the sock drawer and other things, but not books. Never books. 5y
LiteraryinPA Agreed. That‘s just crazy talk. 5y
brilliantglow Marie never said to only keep 30 books. She simply said to only keep books that make you happy (which I also don't really agree with) 5y
37 likes3 comments
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alessandrafn
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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This is what happens when you read a book about books...

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casvelyn
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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I've always loved books with commentary on the fonts used.

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jveezer
Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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A booknerd‘s Friday night. Dusting a section of the library and listening to tunes. When you get to the end, you start again. 📖❤️🤓 As Robert Johnson sings, “I believe I‘ll dust my books...”, er, or something like that.

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Simona
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Mehso-so

Essays about the power of the books/libraries from the author‘s intimate point of view, from his personal library to the broader aspect and meaning of the libraries through the history. Interesting topic, very informative, but some parts are too dry ...

#Booked2019 #NightOrientedTitle @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

#Nonfiction2019 #SomethingWithPictures @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

alisiakae Aww, that‘s too bad it wasn‘t a solid 👍. 6y
Cinfhen You always find such interesting books 😍 6y
Simona @Cinfhen Interesting and boring ... hmmm 🤔 6y
Simona @4thhouseontheleft But thanks to him - his book was my inspiration for clean up my shelves 😁 6y
74 likes4 comments
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Simona
Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Inspired by the tagged book I decided to bring some order on my chaotic shelves ... I‘m half a way through my books and I already regretting my decision ...🤯

Abailliekaras Ha ha I can relate! 😬 6y
batsy I feel your pain! But you can do it! 😅💪🏽 6y
erzascarletbookgasm The result will be satisfying..keep calm and carry on! 😅👏 6y
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sprainedbrain Always such a huge task! Good luck. 💜 6y
Leftcoastzen I need to do some of this myself.Wish I had the enthusiasm and energy I had for such projects that I had years ago. 6y
Crazeedi Oh my...I don't know if I'd have the courage! Good for you 6y
Simona @Abailliekaras @batsy @erzascarletbookgasm @sprainedbrain @Leftcoastzen @Crazeedi I‘m almost finished with the sorting ... but this was mistake. I was way more pleased with the chaos on my shelves 🤷‍♀️ 6y
Crazeedi @Simona Yes that is true 6y
69 likes1 stack add8 comments
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bbackes
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Day off

5 likes1 stack add
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tournevis
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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1️⃣ Physically, none. My uni library is useless to me except for its digital content. And very sadly, my local library's hours are really bad for me.
2️⃣ None at the moment, but I download digital academic articles every second day.
3️⃣ In my life? Every format at least once.
4️⃣ No, see №2.
5️⃣ None at the moment. Will likely make a bunch or interlibrary loan request this summer, however.
6️⃣ None, see №5.

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bbackes
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Bookmail

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kelly.ember
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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“The various qualities of my readings seem to permeate my every muscle, so that, when I finally decide to turn off the library light, I carry into my sleep the voices and the movements of the book I‘ve just closed.”

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GatheringBooks
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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#QuotsyNov18 Day 30: Because new #Title(s) tantalize like no other.

68 likes1 stack add
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Landslide
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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GatheringBooks
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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#QuotsyNov18 Day 18: As a child, I didn‘t consider becoming a #Librarian ever. Now, it is all I think about. :)

Texreader ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
89 likes1 comment
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alessandrafn
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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📚

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bbackes
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Today I went to an exhibition with @alessandrafn . And I have no words to explain how incredible "The Library at Night" is, based on Alberto Manguel's book. It has a replica of the author's own library and an unbelievable virtual reality session! I hope you also have the opportunity to experience it!
#library

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lycomayflower
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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A fun staircase inside the Albright Memorial Library in Scranton, PA

#riotgrams
#librarylove

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love this!!! 6y
16 likes1 comment
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Booksnchill
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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My newly painted and reorganized library created on my upstairs landing- still have items to add but cozy and I have added a sonos speaker for music as well.

Tamra Lovely! 6y
LeslieO Heaven! 6y
AllTheWords Perfect! :) 6y
See All 13 Comments
Booksnchill @Tamra @LeslieO @AllTheWords Thanks- loving it so far and it had been essentially unused space so bonus! 6y
DivineDiana Great job! 👏🏻 6y
Avanders Oooh wonderful! 👏🏽👏🏽 6y
Avanders Now I want tea..... 🤷🏽‍♀️😁 6y
Booksnchill @Avanders I am unboxing a wedgewood set I bought in London some years ago- I will find a space for it! 6y
Avanders Sounds perfect! ❣️ 6y
TheBookgeekFrau You did a beautiful job! 6y
Redwritinghood Looks great! 6y
britt_brooke Looks so cozy! 6y
93 likes13 comments
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Thndrstd
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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36 likes1 stack add
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Palimpsest
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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1. At least once a week
2. Trinity College Library or Bodleian
3. Currently none. I‘m trying to read books on my shelves.
4. Sadly, I don‘t think I had one as a kid. 🤔 I have one from high school. I think my mom just put my books on her card.

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tournevis
Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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1️⃣ Have not in many many months, and since I'm still on medical leave, haven't been to my uni library in months either.
2️⃣ I'd like to see Beinecke again. British Lib too.
3️⃣ None.
4️⃣ I was 6 and I was pissed because I'd wanted one since I was four!
#trivialthursday @GarthRanzz

GarthRanzz LOL to number four! 7y
tournevis @GarthRanzz My local library refused to emit a card to a child not in school! The nerve! 7y
38 likes2 comments
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TheBookKeeper
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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"Ultimately, the number of books always exeeds the space they are granted."
Alberto Manguel The Library at Night
#albertomanguel #thelibraryatnight

A fabulous book!

RaimeyGallant Haha. :) 7y
62 likes1 stack add1 comment
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UrsulaMonarch
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Such an interesting & true concept!

UrsulaMonarch @Kendra.Diane your "book hangover " concept made me think of this quote! ? 7y
Kendra.Diane @Lkelly totally!! Love this!! 7y
UrsulaMonarch @Kendra.Diane 😊🤓📚 7y
21 likes1 stack add3 comments
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UrsulaMonarch
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Mehso-so

Such interesting topics but, perhaps ironically, I found that it was too broad-ranging for me and lacked curation!

tournevis I really liked it. 7y
UrsulaMonarch @tournevis yeah I'm glad a lot of people did! I wanted to like it more - I liked a few parts a lot but found I wasn't overly interested in many other portions. Still glad I tried it! 7y
tournevis @Lkelly It's certainly not a book for everybody. He likes what he likes and not everyone likes those. 7y
22 likes1 stack add3 comments
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8leagueboot
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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So beautiful. How many books have you dreamed up and then let dissipate on the breeze?

UrsulaMonarch This has never even occurred to me... I'm reading this right now too and it has so many interesting ideas! Thanks for posting! 7y
8leagueboot @Lkelly as a lifelong Library hobbit, forever holed up in the stacks, it is just warming my heart. 7y
UrsulaMonarch @8leagueboot 💚📚💚😊 7y
26 likes1 stack add3 comments
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8leagueboot
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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This might be the most beautiful table of contents that I've ever seen. So far, the essays are stunning, as well!

ApoptyGina69 I just read this last month and loved it! 7y
8leagueboot @ApoptyGina69 it's really beautiful. I am eager to read his other work! 7y
27 likes1 stack add2 comments
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jveezer
Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Why do I love sitting amongst my books so much?

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ApoptyGina69
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Many of us have read this, but I wanted to add my admiration and accolades, and to share this passage from the conclusion which I plan to print and hang up

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Eugeniavb
Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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My 5 author picks for my #5fordinner
Julio Cortázar
Alberto Manguel
Winston Churchill
Stephen King
Virginia Woolf

Let me know yours!

Alfoster I'm thinking Stephen King is going to a lot of dinner parties based on everyone's choices! People, let him write! He doesn't have time for all of us!😂😂😂😂😂 7y
vivastory Manguel would be a great choice! I have Junot Diaz as my dinner guest whose love for literature is infectious, but Manguel would easily serve the same function 7y
Eugeniavb He's the living intellectual I would love to meet. Out of everyone! Love him with a passion @vivastory 7y
vivastory The Library at Night & Dictionary of Imaginary Places are indispensable 7y
19 likes5 comments
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UrsulaMonarch
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Partial #libraryhaul . Not even sure where to start!! #SFPL

7 likes1 stack add
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LeslieO
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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I got my days mixed up so here's #library. #sizzlinsummerbooks

44 likes1 stack add
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BooksIHeld
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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#currentlyreading It's a lush, bright world and while I don't understand 90% of the allusions, I truly adore #reading this #book. It's a series of essays on the meaning and mysteries of #libraries throughout history, beginning with #albertomanguel's extraordinary #library in the French countryside. I plan on abandoning it in public along with The 351 books of Irma Arcuri, a small gift, and a written work for #abandonedB2BC. I can't wait to finish!

UrsulaMonarch @well.read.panda may be of interest! 7y
8leagueboot I wonder if he'd let me visit his personal library if I baked him a cake and was very very nice... 🤔 7y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
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lycomayflower
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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