The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

When is a theif justified in stealing? John Charles Gilkey, rare book thief, believed that he was justified in stealing books if he wasn't taking them for monetary gain but for the love of books. Perhaps equally obsessive is Ken Sanders, the self-appointed "bibliodick" who's driven to catch him. Author Allison Hoover Bartlett follows the stories of both "book lovers." This Riverton library book club choice intrigued me. I could almost say that I enjoyed the book, but a few side lines exploring literary erotica--just a fancy term for pornography--makes this a book I won't whole-heatedly recommend. I found amoral Gilkey an interesting character, totally unrepentant, and without remorse. In fact Gilkey felt entitled to the books because of perceived social inequities. Ken Sanders vows to bring Gilkey to justice. Both men are real; in fact Sanders owns Ken Sanders Books here in Salt Lake City. A few weeks ago I talked with Sanders about a book from my Grandmother's estate. I felt like I was chatting with a celebrity.