I read the same story today, and upon reading the headline had the immediate thought: "Great, some imbecile is torching Catcher in the Rye" again. But upon further discovery this seems to be a man who loves books dearly and is decrying their seeming irrelevance in this electronic media world. He's like a nerd version of Kevin Spacey's character in "Se7en", committing this crime with the intent of somehow forcing the apathetic to care. I don't agree with what he's doing, but I do admit it got my attention and made me think. Also, as this is my first comment I'm happy to say that I LOVE the blog, Barb. Keep up the great work!

I understand his message; he's certainly created enough press with his actions to stir some folks to action. Yet I frowned when I got to his "massive" totally of 20,000 books that he needs to get rid of. My friend Bruce had that many in his PERSONAL collection. The LA Times did a story about his collection, and now he's stirring up trouble because his employer, a university library, made the choice to destroy 300,000 books. Sometimes, these are strange days to be a writer.

I like books too, but it's folly to fetishize them. The new age is coming when bound books won't be how most people absorb content. What's important is that writers challenge, entertain, communicate & yes, make great art--however that happens.

I imagine that you are right Linda. It just makes me very sad. I guess it's just "another one of those things," "time marches on," "don't look back." But so many things in my life have changed and books (the bound paper kind) have always been there for me. I mean, the smell of a library or bookstore almost does me in. I may be in therapy for this for a while. :)

Barb, I feel the same. It would totally make me sad to think at some point in the future, bound books wouldn't be needed. I love having hard copies of my books lying around. I do not think Tom Wayne is setting that much of an example. 20, 000 books seems steep. If he wanted the attention, he's got it. One would think he would now request that people who do want his books contact him. Odd business...

I too am saddened by this story. I can't believe that somewhere there isn't someone who would want these books.

I have seen this story on the news and it shocked me. I tried to explain this to my kids, but they asked if we could go over there and get some of the books. We live too far away, but I bought them each a book to treasure.

I wonder if he ever considered sending the books to the troops?

Ther has got to be another way to find folks who want these books. I don't think the bound printed word is gone yet. Some of us need to have them in our hands, on our books shelves as well as in our heart, heads and souls

This news story saddened me too Barb as someone who recycles, reuses & reduces everything! I wonder if he thought about donating these books to a local Goodwill, although I know when we cleaned out our parents' home of 45 years, second-hand bookstores & even Goodwill refused some of the books we wanted to donate if they smelled too musty etc. Thanks for your comments.