Book collectors in general

[Charmaine]

I'm really enjoying a little glimpse into the mind of the collector in general - but specifically the collector of books. The whole idea that reading the book sometimes is no object at all. But rather just having the book in one's possession - feeling it, looking at it, smelling it, knowing it is rare, - I kind of understand this. Even though I do not have the means (nor the interest) to collect rare books, I do, however, love to collect visually appeal books i.e. all my copies of hard-cover Children's Classics. I'm pretty sure both of you girls are the same way. And I also love the idea of passing these books on to my grandchildren (provided I ever have grandchildren!). So - how are you girls liking The Man Who Loved Books Too Much so far?

[Anne Marie]

I agree! I'm definitely connecting with a lot of the descriptions of "book lust" shall we say, in this book. Although, for me, I connect less with the collector who is after the books simply because I'm addicted to the idea of having rare books or because it makes me look prestigious but more with the person who collects for personal reasons, for the pure joy of owning a book (or many books! And they don't have to be "rare" for me to love them), for the comfort having a room full of books brings, and also as a portrayal of who I am as a person, I think. The books I read are a part of me, so when people come over and look at my shelves I feel like they get to know who I am that much more. My collection is very personal. I do connect a LITTLE bit with the idea of image that Gilkey was after when he talked about having a huge study full of books or a personal library being associated with wealth and mansions.... I must admit I've always wanted a large, beautiful house with a GIANT library (including spiral staircases, upper levels, leather furniture, ladders... the works.) but I think that still stems from my true love for books and the stories and joy they bring. I absolutely have sentimental attachment to my books and many memories as well. Books I've read at certain times in my life or in certain places all hold those memories. For instance, I read "The Island Of The Blue Dolphins" while on a trip to Bayfield with Mum and will never forget it. And that was YEARS ago. I really haven't experienced wanting expensive books simply BECAUSE they were expensive however. I like old books, just because of the history... gorgeous leather bound old copies are definitely attractive to me but they could be for sale for $5.00 or $5,000 and it wouldn't make any difference to me. It's more the significance of age and the beauty of old books that I love.

This book has been very interesting so far!

[Annie]

I just picked up my copy from the library yesterday and I was just about to start on it when I thought I would check my Good Reads and I'm glad I did because now I'm super excited to get going!
I will wait until I'm a little farther in the book before I comment on it, but I did feel qualified to say something in reference to Anne's comment about her memory in reading "The Island of the Blue Dolphins" - I am like that too! For instance, I read all of "Anne's House of Dreams" up in the Boundary Waters on a family camping trip and I have forever associated that book with that trip and the sounds and smells. It's almost like a sign-post for your life - you always revert to that specific memory when you re-read them or hear someone esle talkking about that specific book. Am I making sense? Do you know what I'm trying to say?
I do enjoy some low level book collecting, but not for the same reasons as the professionals. Like I said, I am JUST starting this book, but I'm anxious to get into the ins and outs of a real book addict :)(Sorry for the misspelled words - I'm on my sisters computer and I don't know where her spell check is!)

[Charmaine]

I certainly understand what both of you are saying about connecting a book with a certain time or place in your life. I read "A Girl of the Limberlost" (the first time) when I was in a really low place emotionally. It took me away to a wonderful new place where I could forget my 'troubles' for a short while. I also have many good "memory feelings" of reading wonderful books aloud to my children - as we all snuggled together on the couch - during the homeschooling years.

[Annie]

Now that I'm reading this book, I MUST comment on the part where she (the author) was somewhat shocked to find that that most collectors have never read the books they collect. I find this personal reasonable and I love how she described it "... much if tge fondness avid readers, and certainly collectors, have for their books is related to the books' physical bodies. As much as they are vessels for stories ... books are historical artifacts and repositories for memories - we like to recall who gave books to us, where we were when we read them, how old we were and so on."
This is a fantastic description of what we've been talking about! In a way we are all collectors of books becuase we tend to own the books we enjoy but also the memories that come with them :)

[Charmaine]

I, too, am finding this author to be a very good writer - as she describes much of what I would be thinking and feeling about books in general. As a matter of fact, I like her writing so much that I've already looked for more books written by her. Sadly, it appears that this book may be her only one.

[Annie]

It looks like she primarily writes articles, not books :(

[Anne Marie]

Yes, I read that about her as well, Annie. And I agree, aren't her descriptions beautiful sometimes? I keep finding myself thinking "Yes! Exactly! THAT is how I feel too!" when she starts describing books especially in relation to their owners or book lovers in general. :-)

Annie and I didn't actually know this was Non-fiction when we first picked it up. It makes it that much more interesting in my opinion. Definitely a fun read so far. Different than anything I've read before. Unique. And DEFINITELY "Bookclub-ish".

[Charmaine]

FYI - The way I found out about this book is kind of interesting. I was in the car driving to Duluth and I happened to turn on Wisc Public Radio at the time that the show "Chapter A Day" was playing. (If you're not familiar with Chapter A Day, it's a 1/2 hour weekday show where they read aloud a book. It's been on for many years. It's actually how I initially got interested in audio books. I first heard and listened to "The Awakening Land" on Cpt. a Day - many, many years ago.) Anyway...I just caught about 15 minutes of it and found the book he was reading very intriguing. When I got home I looked it up online and discovered the title: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much.

[Anne Marie]

Fun! I've never heard of that show. Also didn't know that was how you found "The Awakening Land" (one of my personal favorites!)

Good find!

[Charmaine]

Chapter a Day: wpr.org/chapter/

[Annie]

I LOVE WPR, NPR and IPR - I have it on quite often around the house and I have heard Chapter A Day! It just goes to show you to keep your ears open - you never know where you're going to find a good book :)

[Annie]

Does anyone get why the Mormon books are worth SO much?! Is it just in the Utah area???

[Anne Marie]

I think she does mention something about that fact. That in his particular area (Utah) he has a large section of Mormon books due to the demand. I would imagine he gets the highest price for them in that area as well then?? I don't know. Possibly because the oldest copies are the actual origin of something, you know? These books are the actual beginning of a whole culture and religion! That's a big deal! Where as, it would be hard to find a novel that was "The beginning of literature"... if that makes any sense. Just a guess.

[Annie]

As I read slightly farther she did tell a story that, while a lot of people discredit it, they believe that the printing press was raided as they were printing it and some little girls saved part of the manuscript, thus a limited number of copies, thus $500,000 for a book! I don't know... I still think it's a lot for one book, but I suppose, like a lot of things, it's what's popular at the moment. I just wonder why you don't hear of books on Buddhism or Christianity or any other religion going for higher prices. I am merely a lowly book lover, not much of a high-end collector - what do I know ;)

[Charmaine]

You'd pay a pretty penny for a rare Gutenburg Bible. Look here:
http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/t...

That website is a fun way to "browse" rare books online....now that we're all getting into the idea!

[Annie]

Wow that site was not good for me to look at! I can understand what the author meant by being a little intimidated by not feeling like you know enough about rare books to buy and collect them. That is a lot of money to put out there and possibly wind up with a fake or at least not what you thought you were buying!

[Kristie]

Okay first off I've got to get this book.

Second $500,000 for a book....wow, I wish! If I had that kind of money I can't honestly say I'd be shelling it out on a book. I love books. I collect books. I am guilty of going to our used and traded book store and buying them just for the shear pleasure of buying a book and not opening it. I have a few I've yet to read and consistantly still buying.
But I completely agree Annie, what in the world would these people do if they found out they were buying a fake. Yikes! That's okay. I'll stick to my thirft stores and used book store. I find deals that way anyways. :)