Why read Dark Archives?

Book cover of Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin

Book description

In Dark Archives, Megan Rosenbloom, a medical librarian and a cofounder of the Death Salon, seeks out the historic and scientific truths behind this anthropodermic bibliopegy. Dozens of these books still sit on the shelves of the world's most famous libraries and museums. What are their stories? Dark Archives exhumes…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Dark Archives as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Jenny Lawson

Author

I know you’re probably expecting novels on my list but this is the true story of a librarian’s investigation into the science and history of books bound in human skin (for real). More fascinating than creepy, this book sucked me in from the very beginning. If you like Mary Roach (Stiff, Spooked) or Caitlin Doughty (Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?) then you will love Megan Rosenbloom

From Jenny's list on creeping you out in the best possible way.

Loren Rhoads

Author

Medical librarian Megan Rosenbloom works as part of a team traveling the world to scientifically test books allegedly bound in human skin. Her curiosity is tempered by compassion as she tells the stories of the librarians who preserve the books, those who collected them, and those who may or may not have provided their hides to the books themselves. This could easily be a gruesome history, but it's not. Rosenbloom's humanity shines through, as she pursues answers to her questions with remarkable sensitivity.

From Loren's list on death-positive memoirs.