When Allison Hoover Bartlett accidentally became the owner of a once-stolen antique book and began to research it, she uncovered a fascinating plethora of information
about antique books, how to value them, how to spot real from fake, why one should never buy “first editions”
from E-Bay, and most importantly, the story of a bibliokleptomaniac who got away with over $100,000 worth of antique books in four years. “The Man Who Loved Books Too Much” is the story of thief John Charles Gilkey and his relentless pursuer, Ken Sanders,a
book dealer and amateur detective. Ken was able, with the help of the internet connections he established among the antique book dealers, to set up a sting which sent Gilkey to jail for 18 months.

Bibliokleptomania is book theft. Not for money, but for the sheer love of books. The bibliokleptomaniac in this true story is John Charles Gilkey, a superficially charming, persistent, remorseless man who believed that
having a collection of rare books would raise his status. He didn’t even know a lot about the books he was “collecting,” just that having this collection would make him appear like he belonged in ‘high society.”

While working at Saks Fifth Avenue, he stole credit card numbers and used them to order rare, expensive books from local antiquarian book dealers. He would wait until almost closing time (always in a hurry) to pick them up, so the bookstore owner didn’t have time to check the credit card information. By the time they did,
he was long gone. He made his calls from a pay phone and when he did have them delivered, it was always to a hotel address. Between 1999 and 2003 he stole $100,000 worth of antique books from dealers across the United States.

Allison Hoover Bartlett used his need to brag to get him to agree to interviews and tell her his methods. He
even took her into a bookstore where he was known by the owner in order to demonstrate his invincibility. He is
a fascinating sociopath who rationalizes that it’s OK to steal books because the book dealers are probably charging too much so this is just pay back.

Allison Bartlett has written a compelling story of a collector’s obsession, a unique look at the world
of rare books and the characters who inhabit it. As for John Charles Gilkey? He was last seen conning some Montreal book dealers.

This is a great read for book lovers interested in the criminal mind and the psychology of obsession.

The Millennium trilogy, posthumously
published, is a murder mystery, a journey through the world of well-researched journalism and a political thriller all rolled into one. The main character Mikael Blomkvist is a journalist probably (I’m speculating) very much like the author Stieg Larsson who ran a politically charged magazine in Sweden before his death.

In the first book, we are introduced to all the main characters who play important parts in each book. Lisbeth Salander is a tattooed, pierced, vengeful, math-obsessed, computer hacking, genius, goth. Her character is angry, sullen and she is a societal misfit. However, when we get her back story, and we realize she has been horribly mistreated by the child-care and mental health system, she becomes (believe it or not) endearing. Apparently, Larsson fashioned her after what he thought a grown-up Pipi Longstocking might be like if she was faced with Salander’s upbringing.

Her skills are formidable and she uses them to help Blomkvist solve the mystery of the Vanger family, his own issues with a financial giant he has supposedly slandered, and helps him help her out of the trouble she gets herself into with her need for vengeance.

It all sounds very complicated and all three books have very intricately
woven plots involving finances, political intrigue, mysogeny, neo-nazis and the corruption within the paramilitary system of Sweden. Everything you read in the first book has a bearing on the second and third, so they should be read in the order written.

The characters are well fleshed out and the reader can’t help but care
for each one in spite of their very
human flaws (and they all have them). The third book, The Girl Who
Kicked the Hornet’s Nest has been
available in the UK for about 6 months. The highly anticipated
North American version comes out
this May. (I’ve read it and the anticipation is justified). There’s less
physical action, but the plot is just as
intriguing, the characters true and
the mysteries surrounding Lisbeth
Salander are finally solved.

Sadly, there will be no more (although there are rumours that parts of a fourth installment are on Larsson’s computer). Larsson was a principled man who fought for human rights, democracy and freedom of speech through his work with Expo Magazine in Sweden. These three books weave these issues into three intriguing, politically charged mysteries that highlight what can happen when governments neglect individual human rights.

Highly recommended for mystery
lovers and readers who enjoy exploring
important issues through highly
intelligent, quirky characters.

This is a dystopian future series written for teens, but is thoroughly enjoyable and meaningful for adults as well. Under 10’s probably should wait in order to fully
understand the implications.

The country of Panem is divided into 12 Districts. 74 years ago, there was an uprising during which The Capitol defeated the (then) 13 Districts and has never let them forget it. People who live in the Capitol have everything they need. Those in the other 12 Districts, are starving and being watched closely by The Capitol.

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen of District 12 has been providing for her mother and younger sister ever since their father died working in the mines. She
is small, but strong and cunning. She hunts with her friend Gale in order to feed their families, putting them in constant danger as going into the forest is punishable by death.

Once a year, in order to remind the Districts that they did not defeat the Capitol, two children from each District are chosen to compete with each other in a televised reality show. Thiscompetition is fought to the death, and the participants are chosen by lottery. The winner is rewarded with all the necessities of life, but has to live with the things he/she had to do to stay alive in the game. When Katniss’ sister (only twelve
years old) is chosen, Katniss immediately jumps in to take her place.

From then on, Katniss’ life changes. The competitors are taken to the Capitol for preparation. They are well fed, given training and given an ”image” in order
to garner support from those with money. This can be of tremendous value during the fight as they can have access to food, water, medicine, if needed. Katniss
and her district 12 counterpart Peeta (with the help of their coach) devise a scheme to make everyone believe
they’re in love. (this is because Katniss
comes across as rough and hard-nosed…hardly likely to get them any supporters)

I’ll stop here, as any more information will spoil the ending. Needless to say, Katniss maintains her strength and cunning and provides us with a witty, intelligent strong female character. However, this does not mean it’s a “girl’s” book. The male characters are equally strongly represented and the action and constant fighting will keep them equally enthralled.

I was very impressed by both books (Catching Fire is number two), and was pleased to see the second book is as engaging as the first. (very often, sequels
just don’t do justice to the first and can be a little like “the tail wagging the dog.”) Not so, with Catching Fire. Collins adds some new characters and plot complications to keep it fresh. The third (Mockingjay) will be released August 24th and I can’t wait.