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!
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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:
I, too, can certainly relate to having books, books, and more books! Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
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
The title alone caught my attention of this book! Thanks for the chance into this giveaway!
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'm a follower thanks!
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com
I have way too many books but I always want more.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Sounds interesting!
srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com
I'm a follower!
srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com
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
Please enter me in this giveaway.
I am a follower
I am a subscriber
Blessings,
Barb Shelton\
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.
forwhlz at gmail dot com
GFC follower.
forwhlz at gmail dot com
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
I am an e-mail subscriber.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I am also a GFC follower of your blog.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
thanks for the chance to read this novel :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
email subscriber :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Count me in, sounds like a winner!
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Follow on GFC, twitter and email!
Don't want to miss anything..
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
thanks for the giveaway
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
subscriber
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
thanks for the giveaway
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
subscriber
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
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
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
This sounds like a twist on the crime novel that I haven't seen done before.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
I also follow as Renee G on GFC.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
I can also relate, keep reading these reviews, and then I want to read the book! Please include me!
alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
I am a follower and a subscriber!
alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
Count me in! Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
Please enter me.
slb3334@gmail.com
I really want to read this one!
mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow on GFC. (mamie316)
mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com
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
sounds like an interesting read
mjmeeks52netscape.net
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
I follow GFC. jenndiggy
jenndiggy at gmail dot com
I follow on gfc.
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
This books looks fascinating. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)
I subscribe (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)
I read a review of this book, and it sounded great. I would love to read it.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
I subscribe to your feed in Google Reader
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
I can totally relate to this thief. I love books too!
smchester at gmail dot com
I subscribe by email
rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca
GFC follower -nhmoose99
Please enter me - this could be my husband!! LOL
never have enough books
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
I'm in =) - th_humanoid@popmessenger.de
Count me in too!! ea_dim@popmessenger.de
I'm a follower and I'm in - ea_dim@popmessenger.de
It's nice to be able to find other book obsessive people---my findings, however, have all been honest.
This book sounds interesting.
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Sounds like a good read!
shawnac68@hotmail.com
I heard about this book before and thought it would be a great read!
theyyyguy@yahoo.com
I love books and think that this one would be a good read
flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com
follower
flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com
Being a person that loves books way too much, this sounds like a fascinating read.
mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow on GFC. (mamie316)
mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think I heard about this guy on NPR, would love to read it. Sounds like a very complex man.
Erin T
sounds interresting
lunabutterfly79@yahoo.com
Sounds interesting! Can you really ever have too many books?
I follow you on GFC as "Brooke"
an interesting story to read
galyettina(at)yahoo(dot)com
sounds like a great read!
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in :)
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
google friend klp1965
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
I remember hearing about this book, and I'd dearly love to read it.
thanks for giveaway, please count me in
devotus(at)yahoo(dot)com
It sounds like a good read!
I would love to read this. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
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
As a Bookworm myself I would really enjoy reading:
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much!
zestywonderland@gmail.com
Marcy S.
I'd like to read this book.
I love books, but he seems like he really loves them.
sallylynnsara@hotmail.com
Following via GFC.
sallylynnsara@hotmail.com
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