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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the two main subjects, so when the focus was on either of them, I found in both interesting and entertaining. At times, some of the background and filler was a little boring, but all in all it was good. Makes me want to start looking for first editions!
Journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett peels back the covers of the world of rare books, collecting, and the thievery that plagues the field.
A book about books? A book about RARE books? A book about a guy who steals rare books? And so many Bay Area locations I felt like I was wandering local neighborhoods as I read? It sounds perfect – but didn’t quite reach perfection. I really felt like everything scratched the surface and that the author was trying to do too much. I think focus was called for: tell John Gilkey’s sorry tale of book thievery, or focus on Ken Sanders’ detective nose, or immerse readers in the world of rare books, do not try to do all three and then limit yourself to six hours (audio) or 258 pages (print).
Admittedly, John Gilkey just annoyed the hell out of me. He stole because he felt he had a right to the books? That he was priced out of the market for items he longed to own? Oh, cry me a river. I would keel over and die if I could get my hands on a first edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. But, if I saw one, by Gilkey’s reasoning, I should steal it because I want it so bad?? Never mind that, by stealing, I would be hurting whatever seller is hoping to share the treasure and gain a few bucks to pay the rent (or buy their next treasure). Dude, get yourself to a therapist. Seriously, Gilkey, you are owed nothing. Work for your money and then buy your treasures … you know, the LEGAL WAY!
But, as annoying as Gilkey was, I could have read the entire book focused on him and his neuroses. Unfortunately, his tale became weighed down by the addition of Ken Sanders (whose story did not receive even a tiny bit of justice within these pages) and the attempt at portraying the rare book world. Yup … either devote an entire book to each or at least write a page count giving each their due.
I was fascinated by the bits I read. I would love to sit with Sanders, over a nice long tea, and listen to tales of his collecting, his finds, the folks who walk into his store, his time as security for the American Booksellers Association, and the book that alludes him in his collecting desires. I was intrigued by the descriptions of first editions and the little details that make it easy to spot a fake or determine a treasure. I had never thought about collecting “first editions” considering it far out of my reach economically (and, really, would my husband be able to stand even MORE books in our house and these precious babies being snuggly displayed in archival glass? Hmmmmmm…). But I do collect books. I have all the titles written by favorite authors and multiple copies of some of those titles. When Fairyloot, LitJoy, or Owl Crate announce a special edition of an author-I-adore’s new release, I set alarms in order to make sure I get a copy. So, yeah, a book all about collecting and the treasures, expensive and affordable, that could be had? I would eat that up!
So, this was a book to whet the appetite. I long to know more of Gilkey, Sanders, book collecting, and the rare book world. And, aren’t all of our TBR’s long enough that a read should satisfy enough that further reading seems a bonus rather than necessary?
A book about books? A book about RARE books? A book about a guy who steals rare books? And so many Bay Area locations I felt like I was wandering local neighborhoods as I read? It sounds perfect – but didn’t quite reach perfection. I really felt like everything scratched the surface and that the author was trying to do too much. I think focus was called for: tell John Gilkey’s sorry tale of book thievery, or focus on Ken Sanders’ detective nose, or immerse readers in the world of rare books, do not try to do all three and then limit yourself to six hours (audio) or 258 pages (print).
Admittedly, John Gilkey just annoyed the hell out of me. He stole because he felt he had a right to the books? That he was priced out of the market for items he longed to own? Oh, cry me a river. I would keel over and die if I could get my hands on a first edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. But, if I saw one, by Gilkey’s reasoning, I should steal it because I want it so bad?? Never mind that, by stealing, I would be hurting whatever seller is hoping to share the treasure and gain a few bucks to pay the rent (or buy their next treasure). Dude, get yourself to a therapist. Seriously, Gilkey, you are owed nothing. Work for your money and then buy your treasures … you know, the LEGAL WAY!
But, as annoying as Gilkey was, I could have read the entire book focused on him and his neuroses. Unfortunately, his tale became weighed down by the addition of Ken Sanders (whose story did not receive even a tiny bit of justice within these pages) and the attempt at portraying the rare book world. Yup … either devote an entire book to each or at least write a page count giving each their due.
I was fascinated by the bits I read. I would love to sit with Sanders, over a nice long tea, and listen to tales of his collecting, his finds, the folks who walk into his store, his time as security for the American Booksellers Association, and the book that alludes him in his collecting desires. I was intrigued by the descriptions of first editions and the little details that make it easy to spot a fake or determine a treasure. I had never thought about collecting “first editions” considering it far out of my reach economically (and, really, would my husband be able to stand even MORE books in our house and these precious babies being snuggly displayed in archival glass? Hmmmmmm…). But I do collect books. I have all the titles written by favorite authors and multiple copies of some of those titles. When Fairyloot, LitJoy, or Owl Crate announce a special edition of an author-I-adore’s new release, I set alarms in order to make sure I get a copy. So, yeah, a book all about collecting and the treasures, expensive and affordable, that could be had? I would eat that up!
So, this was a book to whet the appetite. I long to know more of Gilkey, Sanders, book collecting, and the rare book world. And, aren’t all of our TBR’s long enough that a read should satisfy enough that further reading seems a bonus rather than necessary?
Some parts of this book were fascinating. But not quite enough of them. Bartlett tries a little too hard to romanticize and complicate something that in the end is just not that romantic and complicated.
She tells the story of John Charles Gilkey, a pathological book thief who steals rare books in an elusive, quixotic search for the well-heeled, intellectual life they represent to him. While I did enjoy the story and SOME of Bartlett's endless psychoanalysis of Gilkey, in the end it just was not interesting enough to hype so much.
She tells the story of John Charles Gilkey, a pathological book thief who steals rare books in an elusive, quixotic search for the well-heeled, intellectual life they represent to him. While I did enjoy the story and SOME of Bartlett's endless psychoanalysis of Gilkey, in the end it just was not interesting enough to hype so much.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Really an interesting book!
I feel I learned a bit about the rare book trade, and the mind set of collectors. The thief, unlike the majority of thieves, did it for love of books and not for money, which, in a fictional story, might make him like-able, in actuality, his lack of morality, still made me unable to see it from his side of things.
I do like the fact that you are on a journey with the author, and learn with her about rare books and the fraud perpetrated to get them.
I feel I learned a bit about the rare book trade, and the mind set of collectors. The thief, unlike the majority of thieves, did it for love of books and not for money, which, in a fictional story, might make him like-able, in actuality, his lack of morality, still made me unable to see it from his side of things.
I do like the fact that you are on a journey with the author, and learn with her about rare books and the fraud perpetrated to get them.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
AMAZING! What an incredible feat of journalism, I adored this more than any words can describe. Anxiously awaiting another monograph by the author.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
As I progressed from one chapter to another, I was completely engrossed in the captivating tale. The book had a lot to offer, and I gained valuable insights from it, particularly regarding the peculiar relationship that someone shared with their treasured books. I was surprised to discover that a person could be so passionate about their books that they would go to any lengths to obtain them, even if it meant resorting to theft.
In general, people collect books for two primary reasons— either to showcase their social standing and wealth or to satiate their thirst for knowledge. However, the main subject of this story, Gilkey, had a different perspective. He had a profound understanding of the books that he wished to acquire— he was familiar with the authors, the material of the book cover, and its market value. He was an expert in classic literature, and his passion for books was multifaceted.
In my opinion, simply owning books as a means of identification can significantly alter how others perceive us. Gilkey's goal was to be viewed as a respectable person based on the books he possessed, particularly rare ones.
In general, people collect books for two primary reasons— either to showcase their social standing and wealth or to satiate their thirst for knowledge. However, the main subject of this story, Gilkey, had a different perspective. He had a profound understanding of the books that he wished to acquire— he was familiar with the authors, the material of the book cover, and its market value. He was an expert in classic literature, and his passion for books was multifaceted.
In my opinion, simply owning books as a means of identification can significantly alter how others perceive us. Gilkey's goal was to be viewed as a respectable person based on the books he possessed, particularly rare ones.
A glimpse at the rare book world. The book lacks depth but makes it up on ease of reading - with no proper ending, the books bounces through the various aspects of what make people become rare book collectors and what motivate others to steal from the collectors.