Everything you can ask for from a memoir.
Josh Hanagarne started having small ticks, eyeblinks, when he was six years old. By the time he was in his 20s, he had developed into a severe form of Tourette Syndrome. Thanks to his father's introducing him to the inside of a gym, Josh began gaining control over the battle he was having with his own body by pushing his body to its limits. From a child with small ticks to paralyzing his own vocal cords with Botox in order to keep himself from having loud outbursts, and studying extreme fitness, Josh Hannagarne's story will touch your heart.
I have rules when it comes to my books. First and foremost, I do not dog-ear the pages. Next, I never ever write notes in the margins. Finally, if I must make a small notation it is only with pencil and erased as soon as possible. I keep an index card as a bookmark, making notes there as I read. Well, I gave up taking notes on my index card at page 50, because I had run out of room. I wasn't home to grab another, and I couldn't put the book down, and thus began breaking all of my rules, and the rules of every librarian on the planet. I had no choice but to underline, star, and circle my favorite passages, of which there are many. With pen!
Josh fell in love with libraries as a small child, where his mother would frequently bring him and his siblings, so it's only natural that Josh became a librarian. What's extraordinary is that he is able to manage his Tourette's while working. As difficult as that control can be, it's worth it.
Josh on working in a library: "This is one of my favorite things about working here: If you believe censorship is poison, here lies paradise."
"...when it comes to books and libraries, too much is never enough."
"...nobody was as worthy of respect as a teacher."
"I might be the only person whose first three-hundred pound bench press was accompanied by the Recorded Books production of Don Quixote."
Are you in love yet? Those are just the beginning. I'm not giving you the best ones, which you must discover for yourself. I actually had to erase most of what I originally wrote in this review, simply because I was giving too much away, and the review was way too long! I even had subtitles: Libraries, Faith, Religion, Family, Love, Strength. Discover them for yourself!
Josh Hanagarne's memoir chronicles the journey of his disease, the love of his family, his Mormon faith's role in his spiritual life, and his love of the written word. I highly recommend you take the opportunity to witness this journey for yourself.
The World's Strongest Librarian was my pick for May 2013
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"This heartfelt memoir will capture your heart, tickle your funny bone, and satisfy your soul. Readers are in danger of breaking librarians’ rules of underlining passages and writing in the margins, while witnessing the journey of a fellow book lover’s heroic struggle with Tourette syndrome" - Alison Skap, Alison's Book Marks
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About the Book:
- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Gotham (May 2, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1592407870
- ISBN-13: 978-1592407873
About the Author:
Josh Hanagarne fell in love with Fern from Charlotte's Web at the age of six. Every day since, he has enjoyed reading more than eating, sleeping, and breathing. Today the 6'7" Hanagarne is an author, speaker, performing strongman, and, despite having an extreme case of Tourette Syndrome, he works as a public librarian in Salt Lake City Utah. His memoir, The World's Strongest Librarian, is his first book
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher