The World's Strongest Librarian

A Memoir of Tourette's, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family

By: Josh Hanagarne

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

At first glance, Josh Hanagarne seems an improbable librarian. He stands 6'7", competes in strongman contests, and was diagnosed in high school with Tourette's syndrome. But books are his first love - Josh's earliest memories involve fantastic adventures between the pages of Gulliver’s Travels and a passionate infatuation with Fern from Charlotte’s Web. Everything in Josh’s life - from his Mormon upbringing, to finally finding love, to learning to control his tics through lifting - circles back to a close connection with books. Today, Josh is a librarian at the Salt Lake City Public Library, founder of a popular blog about books and weight lifting - and the proud father of four-year-old Max, who has already started to show his own symptoms of Tourette's.

The World’s Strongest Librarian illuminates the mysteries of this little-understood disorder as well as the very different worlds of strongman training and modern libraries. With humor and candor, this unlikely hero traces his journey to overcome his disability, navigate his wavering Mormon faith, spread the word about the wonder of books, and ultimately, find love and create a life worth living.

©2013 Josh Hanagarne (P)2013 AudioGO

Critic reviews

“Forthright, affecting, and sometimes surprisingly funny.” ( Library Journal)

Touching and Funny

What did you love best about The World's Strongest Librarian?

This book has such a human spirit and heart to it. It really lets you see how others live.

If you could give The World's Strongest Librarian a new subtitle, what would it be?

I would only add - and Love

Great book!!

Its a must read I loved listing to it. One thing I took from it is no matter what life gives you thers always help.

Very engaging, enjoyable read

I enjoyed this much more than I anticipated- I downloaded on a whim because I liked the title, but thought it was an interesting and pleasant listen. The author’s description of Tourette syndrome and his challenges with his faith felt sincere and informative.

Exceptional - I have another perspective

I could not put this book down. I laughed and winced, I got excited at the book references because I am also a book addict, and Josh and his family touched my heart. I learned so much from this book - acceptance, tough love, patience, kindness, openness, perseverance, and another take on what love looks like.

Thank you, Josh, for writing about your experiences and being so open.

Good Listen

Enjoyed this book. A few of the chapters started slow but improved. I was drawn to the strength and fitness storylines.

Inspiring and interesting story

A heartwarming story that will inspire. It's well written and funny. The narrator does a very good job! I enjoyed every minute of the story.

I took a chance and have no regrets.

I was really impressed I enjoyed this but I think differently from most. I have a chronic illness with no cure and I love how josh found a great way to heal himself, if not physically at least mentally. The bit about his faith may not be for everyone but he wasn't offensive to others of faith and he kept the discussion to his personal beliefs, nothing more. I'm not of his faith but enjoyed learning about it and how it both enhanced and hindered his life and "Miss T".

The narrator was a perfect partner for this book. I almost believed Josh was actually narrating at times. It really came across as though Josh was confiding in the listener.

I only read this because it was a daily deal at first. I'm glad I took a chance in this book. It's not my normal read but it enriched how I see things about my illness and faith.

Loved this.

I had a hard time waiting until I could continue listening. I have a bunion named Barry, so felt a kinship to Joshua. Someday I will have Barry fixed and am sad that Josh cannot fix his problem so easily. it's been 8 years since this book was written and I want to know how he is doing and how his family is. Thank you for sharing your story

Casual story

lived the narrator, the story is fun and personal, the author invites you to his life and it's easy to sympathize, laugh and cry with him.

Talking Over Coffee

The title intrigued me. From the start, I had the sense I was listening to friend tell me his story over a coffee. I was engaged. I could relate. I couldn't stop listening. Definitely recommend.