Syntell Smith

Call Numbers: The Not So Quiet Life of Librarians is a book that intrigued me with its premise and then stuck with me after I read it. As a library nerd (I practically lived in them when I was very young), I was immediately immersed in the story, following each of the fleshed out characters as they navigated The System. Not being from New York, the descriptions and pacing made me feel like I had been before, something I admire as a hallmark of a good narrative. Bring me in, leave me there, let me wander.

I am very impressed by Syntell Smith as a writer. He nails all the elements of a good story and provides a wild drama that kept me reading. At times I identified with Robin and other characters woven throughout the novel. Workplace issues are a staple of my profession, and if this book is any indication, The System would be a great place to study.… (más)

This is actually 3 1/2 stars. I received a copy of Call Numbers in the March 2019 Member Giveaway. First of all, I am a huge fan of libraries so, when I saw the subject matter of this book, I was interested in reading it. I lived in New York for a couple of years (with part of that time spent living in Upper Manhattan where some of this story takes place). I have even been to the Fort Washington branch of the NYPL. So, it was nice to read about a familiar place. I think this book has potential but I found myself distracted by the sometimes awkward writing. For example, there was a strange way of referring to individual characters by ethnicity, nationality, or age (e.g. "The Irish", "the Japanese," "the elder," "the youth"). Also, I found it difficult to develop much interest in Robin, the main character. He was not portrayed as a very likable person and it was challenging to figure out what he was all about. Perhaps it just took a long time to get into the story, in order to get to know him and the rest of the characters. The book took a while to gain momentum, I suppose. I did enjoy reading from the perspective of an 18-year-old African- American man in mid-90s NYC, as I have not had much opportunity before. This book ends with a "to be continued" and, by the end, I WAS interested in knowing what happened next in these characters' lives.… (más)