Should this disturb me???.........

16 years ago

After seeing several very positive reviews I look forward to reading THE POSTMISTRESS by Sarah Blake. It came in the mail from Paperbackswap.com and I eagerly opened the book to begin.

I noticed that there is a big black stamp inside the front cover : OFFICIALLY WITHDRAWN FROM NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL LIBRARY COLLECTION .

I keep going back to that stamp and wondering what this means?

This is a new, 2010 hardcover copy in excellent condition.

Can I believe what it seems?.....are there actually books still removed perhaps because of content?

Or am I seeing something here that isn't the actual situation?

Perhaps my imagination is too fertile?

Since I have not read the book I can't blame the topic or content.

Still....this is mildly disturbing.

Anyone have a thought on this?

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Comments (10)

veronicae
16 years ago
We could take a positive point of view, hopeful point of view...our library buys several copies of books that may have a big demand...and culls the extras when the demand fades. Perhaps, this is what happened to your book. A share the wealth kind of thing.

Since the book is stamped when added to the collection by the library- to prevent theft and selling on the internet, etc - libraries often also have a stamp that says that the book has legally been removed from the library. Some libraries are actually set up on half.com themselves, or through their "friends" organization, to sell books on half.com as an ongoing fund raiser. I have several books that are from a TX(?) library under those circumstances. I think it's a great idea.
ccrdmrbks
16 years ago
Our library does the same thing, but not for books within a year of publication.
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veronicae
16 years ago
I think my curiosity would overcome me and I would have to call or email them and ask why it is out of their collection already!
veronicae
16 years ago
Their website still shows that the book and the audio version are in their collection.
timallan
16 years ago
Unfortunately keeping up with the demand for bestsellers is extremely expensive for public libraries. They have to buy multiple copies, knowing full well that patrons will no longer be interested in reading it once the next "flavor of the month" comes along. I don't know much about the book you mention, but this might be the case.
pam53
16 years ago
I read the book and liked it very much. The content was certainly nothing to be upset about-don't have a clue what's going on?
yoyobon_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
It has a stamp at the top: North Central Regional Library , Wenatchee WA.
I found the website and decided to ask the librarian there why they had withdrawn such a new hardcover.
I'll let you know if I get an answer !!

Curiouser and curiouser.............
yoyobon_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
I contacted the librarian and she thought that since it was a new book it was mistakenly removed. Apparently this happens.

However.....PAM53.....I am half way through the book and it is disturbing me for other reasons !
You said that you really enjoyed it and this is inspiring me to keep at it.
The death and destruction is getting to me.
I am taken in by the vivid descriptions she writes of London during the blitz. Horrific. The visuals stay with me and haunt me.
I guess, not unlike the little town of Franklin, I read about the war and London yet never allowed myself to imagine what they actually suffered.
I find I can read a chapter at a time and then have to let it go.
Someone said that they 'couldn't put the book down' once they started it.
Whew!
Not me.
lauramarie_gardener
16 years ago
This reminds me of the brouhaha over a certain librarian who lost her job because a certain politician didn't like her choice of books. But the townspeople made the wicked witch of Wassila re-hire her. Does anybody here know what those "naughty books" were? (I never found out.)
bookmom41
16 years ago
I'm not surprised that the librarian said it was probably an error. In my big, busy library system, a new hardback would not normally be withdrawn in its first year. This book in particular, which I got to read as a pre-pub book, is increasing in popularity so unless it was damaged in some way (was it?) it is hard to believe it would be withdrawn. I, too, really thought it was a good story and will most likely propose it for my bookclub.

Should this disturb me???.........

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