Sure to give book lovers fever, DEAR FAHRENHEIT 451: A Librarian’s Love Letters and Break Up Notes to Her Books by Annie Spence fuels a burning desire to revisit or in some cases kindle the discovery of books gathering dust on shelves and in racks in libraries and homes around the globe.

In her title letter, she queries Fahrenheit 451’s pigeon holing genre. Science fiction or is it? Then goes on to say ‘ If we ever get to a point when you’re not included in the core of a book collection, we’re all fucked. Like “Our civilisation is flinging itself to pieces. Stand back from the centrifuge” type fucked.

Since 1953, the talking walls are bigger and louder than ever. The modern day “firefighters” are armed not with kerosene but snarky Internet memes, reality TV, and the ability to simultaneously see more and less of the world around them.’

Fahrenheit 451’s author, Ray Bradbury comes in for some more librarian loving for his book Dandelion Wine, the novel she reads again every summer for its magic.

‘You can turn to Dandelion Wine for any emotion. If you want to feel wistful, grateful, understood, heartbroken, terrified, or tickled, it’s all there.’

Annie Spence’ s enthusiasm is endearing and enduring, not only for her love of books but for her no holds barred disdain for tomes that need to be jettisoned.

The book ends with a number of lists, recommendations for readers, that are inspired and insightful, including a list of novels about librarians that aren’t typecast as vamp, spinster or corpse.

DEAR FAHRENHEIT 451 by Annie Spence published by Icon Books.