Susan Orlean

Susan Orlean (born 1955) is an American journalist and author. She has been a longtime staff writer for *The New Yorker*, where she is known for narrative reporting and profiles. Orlean is the author of *The Orchid Thief*, a nonfiction book that follows the world of orchid collecting and became the basis for the film *Adaptation*. She also wrote *The Library Book*, which investigates the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire while exploring the history and cultural role of libraries. Across her work, Orlean blends meticulous research with storytelling that highlights eccentric characters and the larger worlds they inhabit.