The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Book Lover’s Adventures by Josh Hanagarne
Published May 2014 by Gotham
4 out of 5 stars
I read a lot of dark, often disturbing, fiction as the norm, so it’s always refreshing to find a story, especially a true one, that raises my spirits and helps to restore my faith in humanity.
Josh Hanagarne is just your typical book-loving family guy who works at his local library. He just happens to tower over everyone at 6’7″ in height, and has the ability to launch fifty pound stones through the air with ease. And he also happens to have Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette’s is identified as a nervous system disorder characterized by uncontrollable movements and vocalizations. While Josh wasn’t “officially” diagnosed until his teens, the tics first appeared when he was a young child. He soon found escape from the unwanted movements through reading. As he grew older and the tics increased in frequency and intensity, Josh found another escape route through exercise, mainly strength training and weight lifting.
Josh’s story is about much more than Tourette’s. His parents provided a solid foundation with their loving devotion to their family and their faith. He shares the highs and lows of his teen and early adult years, where through it all he would continue to find solace and escape through reading and weight lifting. Peppered throughout are anecdotes from the day-to-day routine of working at a Salt Lake City public library.
I found Josh’s story to be memorable and inspirational. While sharing his most vulnerable and painful moments alongside his personal achievements, he allows the reader a glimpse into the life of an ordinary man…who just happens to have Tourette’s. Highly recommend.
————————————————————————
Stay safe and Happy Reading!