The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
By Allison Hoover Bartlett

I’m sure it’s no stretch of the imagination to believe that someone who works in the library loves, not only books, but books about people who love books.  So I was excited to pick up The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett.  Knowing that someone else can get as crazy-obsessed as I do about a favorite author or series makes me feel all toasty inside.

And then there’s this guy Gilkey.  He loves books, but not because of their stories.  He seeks out particularly rare books, and then he steals them.  Not for their resale value and not because of any sort of nostalgia.  John Gilkey steals rare books because he wants other people to think he’s smart and wealthy and cultured.  Plus, he thinks he deserves them.

Kinda makes you want to punch him, right?  I know, I know.  But at least there are men in the world like Ken Sanders, who make it their mission to stop guys like Gilkey.  This book tells the tale of Sanders, Gilkey, and the books that came between them.

Interesting sidebar: I also learned that I can never, ever be a rare books dealer.  Why?  Because once I’ve tracked down some highly-sought after, highly-priced copy of some highly-prized work, the last thing I’m going to do is sell it to somone else – I don’t care what kind of profit I might turn. I want to keep it because it’s MINE!!! (Is that a little selfish?  See, I told you I couldn’t share…)

So, boys and girls, the moral of this story is Don’t Steal Books.  Instead read about someone else who tried.

‘Til next time…

Amanda