The World's Strongest Librarian

Josh Hanagarne would be considered by many to be a rather unusual librarian. He is 6’ 7’’ tall, an avid weightlifter, and participates in strongman competitions. Josh is a seemingly ordinary person. He is happily married, has a son, and works as a librarian at the Salt Lake City Public Library. However, his road to success was paved with a great deal of adversity. Since childhood Josh has suffered from painful and embarrassing tics associated with his severe case of Tourette’s syndrome. This is the story of how he struggled to find a way to gain a measure of control over the disease.

 

I liked this book because it debunks the stereotype that all male librarians are frail, socially inept nerds, without a life beyond the library. Also I believe the vignettes about his work experience, which he interweaves throughout his story, accurately depict certain aspects of being a librarian. Overall his memoir provides hope that those living with a disability can live a relatively normal life.