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(Note: I received and advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)

I’ll start off by stating bluntly that I adore museums in general, and my favorite place in the entirety of nearby New York City is hands-down the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I have spent many an hour. So it will probably be of absolutely no surprise whatsoever that I heartily enjoyed Patrick Bingely’s All the Beauty in the World. The book provided a wonderfully intimate look into the world of the museum guards, providing readers a wonderful opportunity to learn about the world they inhabit that puts them both in the thick of it and also behind the scenes. Bingley’s writing also provides a much needed and probably very overdue spotlight on these men and women in general - for how many museum visitors to the Met and similar institutions passed by these ubiquitous employees without giving them so much as a thought, much less a second glance? I of course can’t speak for others, but I can definitely consider myself quite guilty on this matter, and in turn am quite appreciative of the newfound consideration I’m able to devote to them.

On top of its informativeness, All the Beauty in the World carried an incredibly soothing quality to it, and in fact it may very well be the most calming nonfiction work that I’ve read this year. Whether Bingely was describing a particular exhibit that seized his attention, times spent lost in memories of an older brother that passed before time, or any of his on-the-job mental musings, it almost always seemed to capture one of the moods or sensations I most commonly experience while wandering about a museum. Mental and emotional capture by a work of art, winding mind trips that suddenly occur in particularly quiet halls and rooms, odd thoughts that suddenly spring up - these sensations came rushing right back to me again and again as I worked my way through the chapters. It was almost the next best thing to being able to revisit and get lost in one of my favorite museums once again. However, arguably this might be at least an equivalent experience, because admittedly in my usual trips I never get the behind-the-scenes peeks that were provided in rich abundance here.

Overall, a wonderful read to help calm down after a hectic year. Also, no need to stray away from this book if you’ve never visited the Met. If you just happen to be a museum lover of any degree, an art lover, or simply think you’d like to be interested in reading about life as a guard, then I heartily recommend this beautiful book.