This month’s book for San Jose Public Library’s Online Book Club is The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. This exciting book features the author enmeshing herself in the world of rare books. The book discusses collecting, dispenses facts about rare books and details the dogged determinism of Ken Sanders in stopping a book thief. Partially set in the Bay Area, this book has a wide cross section of interest; book lovers, true crime aficionados and a dash of technology and history. Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the book and its ideas.  We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!

Question for Week 4: How will ebooks effect the status and cost of rare books?

The rapidly growing sector of ebooks is changing the nature of the publishing world. Both the major publishing houses and the few remaining retailers expect their growth in the online area, with print material declining. That should make print copies rarer through time. The status of ebooks is more in the latest and greatest of the ereaders, not necessarily the content. The well cared for rare books should maintain their value, but collectors need new people who are interested in acquiring rare books for the market to retain or increase the value. Rare books will always have a place in museums or special libraries. Perhaps there is a way to digitally emulate the look of a rare book.

See our Online Book Club page for more information about this book and previous weeks' questions

This month’s book for San Jose Public Library’s Online Book Club is The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. This exciting book features the author enmeshing herself in the world of rare books. The book discusses collecting, dispenses facts about rare books and details the dogged determinism of Ken Sanders in stopping a book thief. Partially set in the Bay Area, this book has a wide cross section of interest; book lovers, true crime aficionados and a dash of technology and history. Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the book and its ideas.  We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!

Question for Week 3: Should the criminal justice system take book theft more seriously?

One unfortunate fact the author brings up is that criminals who steal a little bit from a large number of people are often barely prosecuted because the crimes overlap many districts and the cost of prosecution is prohibitive. Sanders really had to cajole the authorities to get them interested. Books are not the preferred material for criminals; something small (jewelry) or high tech (laptops) is.  And all of Gilkey’s thefts were done by trickery or forgery, not force. At the Rare Book Fair the author was told by many dealers that "every rare book is a stolen book." It is very difficult to trace the ownership of books that may be centuries old and from other countries. A detective's comment on the most famous used goods selling website is quite interesting...

This month’s book for San Jose Public Library’s Online Book Club is The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. This exciting book features the author enmeshing herself in the world of rare books. The book discusses collecting, dispenses facts about rare books and details the dogged determinism of Ken Sanders in stopping a book thief. Partially set in the Bay Area, this book has a wide cross section of interest; book lovers, true crime aficionados and a dash of technology and history. Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the book and its ideas.  We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!

Question for Week 2: Why do book collectors go to such great lengths to obtain their prized books?

Rare books signify originality and taste. Books in the 19th century and before were hand bound and strong, meant to last. They were embroidered, and decorated.  First editions must come with dust jackets to be valuable and the condition of the book is very important to its worth. There are only so many true rarities. And the more a copy of a book is read, the more its usage shows. So Gilkey was right to not read the books very often, that would lower the value. Like collectible cars or antiques, the less it's used the better.

Often collectors are attached to a book from their childhood or they want to own something they feel is culturally significant. It could be a perfectionist strain of hobbying. They are banking on certain styles of literature being perpetually popular. The author does find some collectors who are interested in off beat books; they keep the field fresh by expanding the market. Some collectors are trying to find a relatively unknown author today, who will be the future's classic and definitive writer of the current era.

See our Online Book Club page for more information about this book and to preview upcoming questions

This month’s book for San Jose Public Library’s Online Book Club is The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. This exciting book features the author enmeshing herself in the world of rare books. The book discusses collecting, dispenses facts about rare books and details the dogged determinism of Ken Sanders in stopping a book thief. Partially set in the Bay Area, this book has a wide cross section of interest; book lovers, true crime aficionados and a dash of technology and history. Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the book and its ideas.  We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!

Question for Week 1: What is the underlying relationship between John Gilkey and Ken Sanders?

At first glance, their relationship is like a cat and a mouse. However, I see it a little differently. John has devised ways to steal rare books, and it is up to Ken to stop him. They both treasure the same thing: rare books. John has taken advantage of lax security and has unfortunately involved others (credit card numbers) in his misdeeds. Ken, crusty and individualistic, loves the idea of rare manuscripts, even if he is not that interested in their content. John also loves the rare books, but he is more interested in the status of a fine collection, where Ken has more of a caretaker or commercial interest in the material. They both want the same thing, access and control of rare books. They have a lot more in common than a cat and a mouse have with each other.

See our Online Book Club page for more information about this book and to preview upcoming questions