Working in higher ed this hit a little close: it’s thin line between the noble pursuit of knowledge and the (much less noble) pursuit of being “the smartest and most important person in the room.” Liesl is an imperfect heroine with a rich and honest backstory. It’s not so traumatic as to completely devote us to her, but instead reflects the reality of slogging through life. Borderline addictions. Depression. Martial woes. Professional regrets. Aging children. She encompasses an all too relatable look at real life in late middle age. This book is not a fun romp or a cheeky behind the scenes tale of librarians. It’s a mystery wrapped in realism, egos, age, and fear… and very old and rare books.