Today we are thanking our lucky stars to have landed an interview with the elusive Zeno Alexander, author of a new middle-grade fantasy adventure that will speak to the hearts of librarians and all who love books and information.
Eleven-year-old Lenora escapes from her inattentive nanny through a secret portal at an arch in her local library and lands in the Library of Ever. This vast and most impressive of libraries extends through all of time –historical, present, and future– and exists as a space to seek and find facts and knowledge. Lenora is immediately confronted by a ten-foot-tall stern library who insists that only employees are allowed in the Library of Ever. Lenora, a lover of libraries and the quest for books and knowledge, applies for a job immediately. After swearing to the librarian oath, she is granted the position of 4thAssistant Apprentice Librarian.
Lenora takes her position very seriously and will stop at nothing to help her patrons. Through attending to them, she learns quickly and embarks on many fantastical globetrotting adventures in pursuit of answers, including learning to communicate with whales, penguins, ants, and a tardigrade building a spaceship to Alpha Centauri. But she quickly realizes that a librarian’s job isn’t just finding answers. Librarians are protectors of facts and knowledge too. Lenora soon takes on the role of librarian warrior as she battles the forces of darkness that seek to keep information and “dangerous” books away from children by extinguishing the light of knowledge.
What did I think?
Brilliantly imaginative and entertaining, but also chockful of fun information about libraries, history, outer space, world destinations, creatures of the earth, and more, THE LIBRARY OF EVER reads like a classic for our modern world. At its heart, THE LIBRARY OF EVER is a love letter to librarians and an ode to the importance of access to knowledge and information for everyone. Bravo to author Zeno Alexander! CAN. NOT. WAIT. to read the next book in this series! Haven’t had a book speak to my heart about the importance of literature/facts/knowledge quite like this one since Fahrenheit 451, but THE LIBRARY OF EVER is for ages 10+.
THE LIBRARY OF EVER released on 4/30/19. Request it from your local library or bookstore now!
The Interview!
We are thrilled that Zeno Alexander has taken a few minutes away from his busy schedule to entertain a few questions about THE LIBRARY OF EVER.
Welcome, Zeno!
As someone who is now studying for a Masters in Library and Information Science because of her own zeal for and concern about protecting knowledge and facts, I deeply related to Lenora. Could you tell us why it’s so important for you to share Lenora’s experiences as a librarian with middle-grade readers?
Lenora once gave me a gift of inestimable value. As a result, I decided to chronicle her adventures, as my contribution to the battle for Truth and Light.
While Lenora is helping patrons, she’s also learning a lot about the complexity of information and the difficulties in safeguarding it. I’m not sure that many people understand how difficult this is and the importance of supporting libraries. What can we as readers and information users do to protect libraries of today and the future?
I wish I could tell you. There are times I have tried to protect libraries and failed, and others where I succeeded. All we can do is be permanently vigilant against the forces that try to destroy libraries and the truth. When they appear, we fight as hard as we can.
Based on the ending of THE LIBRARY OF EVER, it’s clear that Lenora has many important adventures ahead. When will the next book come out?
I am currently chronicling the second volume of Lenora’s adventures, and I am told it will be made available in April 2020 according to the calendrical system presently in common use.
Moving on to the lightning round. Buckle up, Zeno! *hands you a tarte tatin pastry for strength
If you had a superpower, what would it be? I have several, and I do not think it would be fair to ask for more.
Wooden pencil or mechanical? I do not fully understand the question. Does this involve writing implements? If so, I am still quite happy with my quill and ink.
Coffee or tea? One of the most consequential days of my life occurred when I was introduced to the coffee bean by an Ethiopian shepherd. Though tea is not unwelcome.
Sweet or salty? Why have we left out sour, bitter, and umami? This does not seem fair.
Dog, cat, or other? Having once faced The Other and barely surviving, I will take any other creature, please.
Plotter or pantser? I am constantly plotting and generally wear pants.
One last question: Any advice for all those aspiring authors out there? Find your Lenora.
Thank you so much for joining us, Zeno. Please send our regards to Lenora and our hopes for her safety while she protects us from the Forces of Darkness.
I most certainly will. Thank you so much for your time.
Zeno is truly a mystery. The only information I could find about him comes from his website:
After emerging from the shadows of the past, his history yet to be fully explained, Zeno Alexander spent years exploring the world’s libraries before settling down in his lavish underground bunker, where he regularly hosts exquisite dinner parties and tends to his collection of extinct plants. His friendship with the famous librarian, Lenora, has turned into a series of biographical works devoted to chronicling her adventures.
Also, you can connect with Zeno Alexander on Twitter and on Instagram.
