Friday, October 22, 2010

Review/Giveaway: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary ObsessionA WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much:  The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
Author: Allison Hoover Bartlett
Genre: Adult nonfiction
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: November 10, 2010
Restrictions: US only

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway.

I reviewed this book a year ago, and it came out in paperback on October 5th of this year.  Riverhead Books has offered a giveaway copy for one of you!
---------------
Here is the original review:

Overview

Over a 10-year period, John Charles Gilkey stole hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of rare books. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession is an account of the world of book collectors. It's the story of a man obsessed with acquiring a rare book library at any cost, and the story of a dealer obsessed with stopping collectible book theft. And it's a never-ending story that pulls you into the obsessions, as well.

Author

"Allison Hoover Bartlett's writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, and other publications, and on Salon.com. Her original article on John Gilkey was included in The Best American Crime Reporting 2007."

My Review

I laughed when I saw the title of this book - I knew I'd be able to relate to obsessions! I've just calculated that I've got enough review books lined up to do two book reviews per day over the next 50 days... It's that OCD in me coming out. I love the idea of lining all my walls with books; sharing my personality and preferences by putting them on display. And finding a book package in the mail feels like Christmas to me. Fortunately mine is not a costly obsession, though I don't think it would take much to get me into the rare book treasure hunt.

And Gilkey's obsession was not supposed to be costly, either, since he acquired most of his books through theft. He had to pay through jail time, but that just seemed to be a part of the acquisition cost, rather than a penalty.

I was fascinated to gain insight into the thought-patterns of a book thief. Gilkey saw rare books as a way to gain social status. And he saw theft as being fully justified, as all those crooked dealers were just trying to rake over the consumers. I was also intrigued by his methods of credit card fraud and his downright audacity. And I loved his idea of creating a book theft detective series.

The author did a fantastic job in revealing Gilkey's character. I didn't relate quite so well to Ken Sanders, the detective. It's interesting to note how the author was absorbed into the story and became a part of it, rather than remaining an objective observer.

A somewhat light-hearted book of the true-crime genre, this is a rare book in its own right...

Thanks to Riverhead Books for the review copy of this book.


Posted by Jane from Mozi Esmé

76 comments:

Linda said...

I, too, can certainly relate to having books, books, and more books! Please enter me.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Carrie said...

Oh, this one caught my attention earlier and then I had forgotten about it! Would love to be entered!

Thanks for the chance.

readingtoknow (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

The title alone caught my attention of this book! Thanks for the chance into this giveaway!

unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower thanks!

unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

Linda Kish said...

I have way too many books but I always want more.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Katy said...

Sounds interesting!

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Katy said...

I'm a follower!

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Undoubtedly an interesting story to read. A non-fiction crime novel. Real life seems so unrealistic compared to fiction. I would like to be entered in this giveaway and thanks for that and the chance to win this fine book. I hope I do!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in this giveaway.

I am a follower
I am a subscriber

Blessings,
Barb Shelton\
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Sandy Jay said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Sandy Jay said...

GFC follower.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am like you with picking out and lining up my next books to read! Would love to read this book. Great cover!


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am also a GFC follower of your blog.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

email subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Cathy W said...

Count me in, sounds like a winner!
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

Cathy W said...

Follow on GFC, twitter and email!
Don't want to miss anything..
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

apple blossom said...

thanks for the giveaway
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

subscriber
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

thanks for the giveaway
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

subscriber
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Caroline said...

This sounds like a great book. I'd love to win it! Thanks for the opportunity.

cb
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com
browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com

Caroline said...

Thanks for the second chance. I so identify w/this man. :) I'm obsessed with books & have always been. We taught our boys to feel the same way. Hope I win!!
cb
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com
browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com

Renee G said...

This sounds like a twist on the crime novel that I haven't seen done before.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Renee G said...

I also follow as Renee G on GFC.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

MaureenT said...

I can also relate, keep reading these reviews, and then I want to read the book! Please include me!

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I am a follower and a subscriber!


alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Debbie F said...

Count me in! Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

slb3334 said...

Please enter me.

slb3334@gmail.com

Mary said...

I really want to read this one!

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary said...

I follow on GFC. (mamie316)

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amber said...

This book looks like it's different than anything I've ever read before. Although I did read The Art Thief...I'm interested to see how these differ
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

sounds like an interesting read

mjmeeks52netscape.net

Jennifer Wilson said...

I'd love to read this, although I only read about 100 books a year, I think some people would consider that obsessed. :)

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow GFC. jenndiggy

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Nicole C. said...

I follow on gfc.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

krstrpp said...

This books looks fascinating. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)

krstrpp said...

I subscribe (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)

wmmahaney said...

I read a review of this book, and it sounded great. I would love to read it.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe to your feed in Google Reader
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

sweetsue said...

I can totally relate to this thief. I love books too!
smchester at gmail dot com

Rhonda said...

I subscribe by email

rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

nhmoose99 said...

GFC follower -nhmoose99

nhmoose99 said...

Please enter me - this could be my husband!! LOL

Unknown said...

never have enough books

Tina P said...

I took a Rare Books class and we talked a bit about this fellow. I would be interested to have a copy on my bookshelf!:)

trixie420247@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'm in =) - th_humanoid@popmessenger.de

Unknown said...

Count me in too!! ea_dim@popmessenger.de

Unknown said...

I'm a follower and I'm in - ea_dim@popmessenger.de

tallcapp said...

It's nice to be able to find other book obsessive people---my findings, however, have all been honest.

kygirl said...

This book sounds interesting.

stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

jandsfox_143 said...

Sounds like a good read!
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I heard about this book before and thought it would be a great read!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

flychild7 said...

I love books and think that this one would be a good read
flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com

flychild7 said...

follower
flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary said...

Being a person that loves books way too much, this sounds like a fascinating read.

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary said...

I follow on GFC. (mamie316)

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Colengal said...

I think I heard about this guy on NPR, would love to read it. Sounds like a very complex man.

Anonymous said...

Erin T

sounds interresting

lunabutterfly79@yahoo.com

Pamcakes said...

Sounds interesting! Can you really ever have too many books?

Pamcakes said...

I follow you on GFC as "Brooke"

Anonymous said...

an interesting story to read
galyettina(at)yahoo(dot)com

susansmoaks said...

sounds like a great read!
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in :)
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

Kathy P said...

google friend klp1965
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

taxchyk said...

I remember hearing about this book, and I'd dearly love to read it.

Anonymous said...

thanks for giveaway, please count me in
devotus(at)yahoo(dot)com

cman said...

It sounds like a good read!

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Never heard of this book, but if I see the word 'detective' somewhere, it's a book I want to read.

zameta3 at gmail dot com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

As a Bookworm myself I would really enjoy reading:
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much!
zestywonderland@gmail.com

Marcy S.

yadgirl said...

I'd like to read this book.

Homemaker said...

I love books, but he seems like he really loves them.
sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

Homemaker said...

Following via GFC.
sallylynnsara@hotmail.com