missing book
I've tweeted about it, I've emailed people about it, and I've mentioned it on Facebook, so as Dave pointed out, I may as well post about it, too.
I seem to have lost a book that is very important to me.
I have lots of books, so it is not hard to imagine something being misplaced. But this book has been in the exact same spot on the exact same shelf since I moved into this apartment and unpacked my books three years ago. And suddenly, as I'm culled stuff off of my shelves, I notice the book is not there.
I thought perhaps it fell behind the piles on that shelf, so I pulled them out and looked. Not there.
I thought perhaps I somehow mistakenly put it in one of the four canvas bags of books I'm bringing (eventually) to my local bookstore, since other books from that shelf did go in those bags. I re-checked all four bags twice each ... not there.
I checked pretty much every other bookshelf in the apartment, thinking perhaps I moved it someplace "safer" or more prominent, and I can't see it anywhere.
I emailed Dave and Jon, the two friends who have visited the apartment who I might have actually lent it to and neither of them have it. Nor does Nephew Max. Still waiting to hear from Nephew Danny and Cousin Crissy.
Why does it matter? Because this book was the first "adult" (meaning "not written for kids," not "porn") science-fiction novel I ever read. I have re-read it every 5-6 years since that first time, in sixth grade. It definitely had a formative effect on how I write sci-fi (when I actually write sci-fi, which is rare), almost as much if not moreso than the John Carter books by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
The book is To Open The Sky, by Robert Silverberg. Long out of print. And yes, I know, I can find it on ebay or Amazon or any number of used book stores. I know because several years ago I scored three copies (all with different covers) in Powell's Books in Portland OR, that I gave to friends. This copy, though, with the light blue cover and yellowed, dog-eared pages, has been with me since 6th grade.
That's a long time to have a book and then have it suddenly disappear.
I'm hoping it'll turn up, or the person I lent it to will see one of my multitudinous posts about it and realize they have it. Because other thank mis-shelved or lent out, I can't imagine where it would have got to.
I seem to have lost a book that is very important to me.
I have lots of books, so it is not hard to imagine something being misplaced. But this book has been in the exact same spot on the exact same shelf since I moved into this apartment and unpacked my books three years ago. And suddenly, as I'm culled stuff off of my shelves, I notice the book is not there.
I thought perhaps it fell behind the piles on that shelf, so I pulled them out and looked. Not there.
I thought perhaps I somehow mistakenly put it in one of the four canvas bags of books I'm bringing (eventually) to my local bookstore, since other books from that shelf did go in those bags. I re-checked all four bags twice each ... not there.
I checked pretty much every other bookshelf in the apartment, thinking perhaps I moved it someplace "safer" or more prominent, and I can't see it anywhere.
I emailed Dave and Jon, the two friends who have visited the apartment who I might have actually lent it to and neither of them have it. Nor does Nephew Max. Still waiting to hear from Nephew Danny and Cousin Crissy.
Why does it matter? Because this book was the first "adult" (meaning "not written for kids," not "porn") science-fiction novel I ever read. I have re-read it every 5-6 years since that first time, in sixth grade. It definitely had a formative effect on how I write sci-fi (when I actually write sci-fi, which is rare), almost as much if not moreso than the John Carter books by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
The book is To Open The Sky, by Robert Silverberg. Long out of print. And yes, I know, I can find it on ebay or Amazon or any number of used book stores. I know because several years ago I scored three copies (all with different covers) in Powell's Books in Portland OR, that I gave to friends. This copy, though, with the light blue cover and yellowed, dog-eared pages, has been with me since 6th grade.
That's a long time to have a book and then have it suddenly disappear.
I'm hoping it'll turn up, or the person I lent it to will see one of my multitudinous posts about it and realize they have it. Because other thank mis-shelved or lent out, I can't imagine where it would have got to.