The magic of libraries #Librariesweek
Libraries week starts today so what better time than to celebrate these havens of books and look at some novels which contain amazing libraries themselves:
The Cemetery of Forgotten Books – The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon
“Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the ‘cemetery of lost books’, a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print.”
A book to remind you of your childhood love of books – The Cherry Pie Princess
“I absolutely LOVE your library! Please tell me, where are the story books? And what are those big old books over there? Can anyone borrow books?” And then, leaning over the librarian’s desk , her eyes wide and hopeful, she whispered, “Are there any books that tell you how to DO things? Like…cooking?
Who could forget the Restricted library at Hogwarts? Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the others of course!
“They bought Harry’s school books in a shop called Flourish and Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather; books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk; books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all.”
“That’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”
Harry could not remember Hermione ever neglecting to read when instructed to, or indeed resisting the temptation to open any book that came under her nose.
The most magical of libraries – Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell
And who can forget the rather mysterious and magical library of Hurtfew where the magicians would gather but where it was the books themselves that were the real magic here:
“At Hurtfew, all the walls were lined with bookshelves and all the shelves were filled with books. All the books were all, or almost all, old books; books of magic.”
Of course there are many more – come back later this week for some more libraries as featured in books…
For more bookish set reads – books set in a bookshop, in a library etc – Open your next adventure
