Shelf Life: Books Abounding

 “I am often asked a stock question: 'Have you actually read all those books?' To this I have my answer ready: 'Is there anybody who has read all the books in his library?' That would be like claiming to enjoy the incredible luxury and good fortune of being able to accomplish everything in this life that one would wish.”
― Konstantinos Staikos

Books as literal bulwark!

It is a fact that I buy books faster than I can read them. It is also a fact that my instinct to be careful with money in all other areas fails when it goes up against my instinct to acquire more books. Somewhere, deep down, I think that I imagine that they form a bulwark against the sharpest edges of reality; they're the trap doors I've installed to duck into and hide out from anxiety and pain. So I am here, today, to talk about the texts that have recently joined the ranks! (I should note: this isn't so I can keep track and shake my head and say, "Oh no, I'm buying too many and should cut back. That's crazy talk.) And because I have something curatorial in my nature, I'm putting them into groups!



Part One: Books that came into my life because my husband has access to interlibrary loan

At his current post, my husband has access to Interlibrary Loan books, so I asked (very nicely) if he would use this new superpower to allow me to read some titles that I definitely cannot afford. The following titles dropped in for a visit!

 I'm not finished with this one yet, but it includes the revelation that most American Zoos are quite secretive about their history and processes (suggesting that some unfortunate happenings have probably occurred). An interesting contrast to the show The Zoo, which allows viewers behind the scenes!

 Can someone please explain to me why Routledge titles are so bloody expensive? Is the ability to purchase them some sort of sign of academic status? This slim volume costs $140 -- and I only really wanted it for the mythical cat chapters anyway!









I've been extremely interested in the wildlife trade lately and in wildlife crime in general. This is promising new title in that area!







Part Two: Thor

I want to begin this post by noting that I was never into the Marvel movies (or superheroes in general) and somehow this snagged me. I'm certain it's not my fault. So I recently developed a Thor obsession. Or, more accurately, a Loki obsession. And, being me, I am incapable of passively enjoying a thing. I have to live in it and write about it and read everything about it... so these books happened! #muststopfallingforvillains...

If you're going to develop unusual obsessions with nonexistent peoples, it helps to have an understanding husband. Mine bought me this huge (700 pages) graphic novel for Easter after he caught me pining over it. 

 Since Thor is the hero (and name of the series) it's difficult to find Loki-centric books. This is one of them that had good reviews. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

 Not that I'm discriminating against the wielder of Mjolnir. This book also joined the collection courtesy of my husband and I'm excited to see Thor's evolution from God to superhero (is that being downgraded or upgraded? Both simultaneously?)

 As a writer and reader of fan fiction, I'm usually against gender bending characters, but people had so much good to say about this one that I had to order it.

I've actually completed this one and I still have mixed feelings. The characters were lifted above the one-dimensional superhero writing of some comics, but the art was not to my taste and the story didn't exactly grip me.





Tune in next time for Books about the Victorians and The Library made me do it!