Interesting Read About A Whole World I Never Knew By Morenita on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
I rented this book from the library, but I found it so interesting that I have it added to my Amazon wishlist for my next order. The title grabbed me immediately because I don't think anyone could ever love books too much, but when I began reading about the whole world of book theives I was totally into it.
The author starts out by talking about how the book world works and about how most dealers don't make a big deal about theivery because it is bad for their business. She gets a lot of information out of tons of book dealers though and ends up interviewing and detailing the work of one particular theif who steals books simply because he loves them. Apparently his book collection is not for monetary reasons, but because he loves books so much that he wants to own them.
The thing is, I love books a ton too, but I am just as content with a newer edition, dogeared copy or three times used version of my favorite book as I am with a rare one. I don't buy that it is all about just loving the books that motivates the theft because you can just as easily put together a collection of your favortie books that you aquire legally. I think it has more to do with loving that you have something that is so valuable as well as a favorite book.
Anyway, the book is really great. There is a slight lull in the second chapter where I kept getting the feeling that I had already read everything that was written earlier on, but it passes.
About The Author:
Allison Bartlett The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
Gosh! I'd think this book was written by my husband or about him - except for the stealing part. If he could, he's buy books every week but we don't have any more room to put them. He would prefer to move into a bookstore as long as there was a bed in there, I think. He absolutely loves books and would read pretty much anything possible.