Running The Books: The Adventures Of An Accidental Prison Librarian (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Avi Steinberg lights the way to the world of prison through his experiences as head librarian in one of America's toughest prisons. The reader follows Steinberg's light, generated through humor; sometimes dark, through compassion, and the desire to understand and discern. Further, Avi casts his light on the absurdity of prison politics (a pernicious mechanism used by guards, prison administrators and cons, a flawed human behavior that exist in every prison in the world and always will), by highlighting the vengeful hate and persecution of the snitch, no matter the situation. Justice inside prison walls for the worker and the prisoner is rare because of the snitch mentality that is honored by those who live on one side of the key and those who work on the other.I'm glad to see books like this. The quality of life in a country is only as good as its institutions. Besides being entertained, the thoughtful reader will realize how commonly close those of us on the outside are in attitudes and behaviors with those on the inside of America's correctional facilities.According to Avi, America holds "the biggest penal system in the history of the world. America has 5 percent of the world's population, 25 percent of the world's prison population." (pg. 394) Avi doesn't offer solutions or ideas to improve the system; he tells his experience. Hopefully the right people will read his book, and some folks who are in the right position will suggest better ways of administering our nation's prisons, and what seems to me like an over-whelming task, that of lowering the rate of repeat offenders. Jeff says:You don’t really hear too many people talking about their dream to become a prison librarian just as you don’t hear too many people talking about their dream to be a prisoner. But it happens, sometimes accidentally and both stories are very interesting. I like how the author shares the stories of these prisoners’ struggles and dreams as well as his own struggles trying to figure out the purpose of the prison library and the role he plays in that setting.
What do You think about Running The Books: The Adventures Of An Accidental Prison Librarian (2010)?
Really did not get into the story at all, gave up after about 40 pages...
—Beyoutiful
So, this book is not interesting, and I don't care to finish it.
—fadz
I thought this was a fun read since it took place in Boston
—06610
