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The Book Puzzler
What is the meaning of the Book Puzzler?
Every bookseller is frequently asked to help find or identify old forgotten books, sometimes based on only recollections of a picture, a cover image, a character, or other equally fragmentary and puzzling clues. I have always called these Book Stumpers.
TheBookPuzzler.com is a site where many of these questions and searches will be gathered, documented, and discussed if anyone wants to talk about them. We will also help figure out what a book is if you have an old book and do not know anything about it, or post about books we have had fun researching.
Who is the Book Puzzler?
The Book Puzzler is a Fool who likes books and enjoys being asked questions about old books people are looking for. People often remember details from a long ago favorite, but cannot remember the title or author.
Being around old books so much, the Book Puzzler knows some answers, and knows how to get answers if he does not presently have them.
What does the Book Puzzler do?
Mostly sits around and reads. Or tries to read. He likes the pictures, at least, but long paragraphs and compound sentences slow him down.
He has looked at a lot of pictures though, and actually finished reading lot of books, so when he gets asked to help find an old forgotten tome he can sometimes be helpful.
As far as what he does on his website, he mostly posts questions he has been asked about books. Truthfully, people are asking all the time for help in remembering a title, remembering where they read something, or figuring out exactly what the book is that they own. Even with the internet it is hard to find answers sometimes. One of the best resources out there is all the other readers, many of whom will know the answers you are seeking.
The Book Puzzler at times has very few answers, but is still willing to help. And if Helpful Strangers drop by to offer their opinions, all the better.
Does the Book Puzzler recommend where to buy books, or is he affiliated with a bookstore?
The book Puzzler prefers that you purchase your books from Zephyrus Books. He is affiliated with this store, hence his obvious bias. Unfortunately, ZephyrusBooks.com stocks fewer than 10,000 books presently, so many titles are not available there. When Zephyrus Books does not stock a book, the Book Puzzler recommends that you search at Biblio.com or Amazon.com.
Biblio has a wonderful selection of used, rare and out-of-print books offered by hundreds of used booksellers. Amazon is often the least expensive place to buy new books, and their network of used booksellers stocks millions of volumes as well.
Search boxes for Biblio and Amazon will be placed at the bottom of this page. Zephyrus Books sells books through both these sites, is affiliated with the sites, and stands to gain financially (and perhaps in other immeasurably petite ways) when you shop through those links.
So, does the Book Puzzler work at Zephyrus Books?
Sort of. You might say he is like the tardy assistant who tries to help but is more interested in admiring the books than in selling them.
How Many Books has the Book Puzzler Read?
Nobody knows. The answer is best understood in terms of a success ratio. He has successfully finished over 40% of the books he has started. This is actually a very good percentage, and much better than most people he knows.
If you only count the pictures, his success ratio soars to 95%.
How can I contact the Book Puzzler?
The Book Puzzler has his own Blog. You can ask a question there and he will post questions and answers even if he cannot answer it correctly or intelligently.
You may also Email the Book Puzzler at bookpuzzler@zephyrusbooks.com
If the Book Puzzler is a Fool, why should I bother asking for his help?
Why not. Have you found the answer on your own? It never hurts to ask.
Actually, the Book Puzzler gets some help from other people. Obviously, nobody can be familiar with every book on the planet. Not even every book in the 1.25 languages the Book Puzzler knows how to read. He asks people he knows, and does not even always pretend all the good ideas are his own. He will accept help and welcomes discussion and input from his betters (that means you and all your friends). He also keeps a handy list of people who know more than he does, and hands out, like candy, links to helpful websites.
Well, maybe not like candy.
Do other websites do the same thing?
Yes, ABE Books has Bookslueth and Loganberry Books has Stump the Bookseller, which are two of the best sites around. In fact, at Stump the Bookseller they call these questions Book Stumpers as well, which is why the Book Puzzler forewent using that term. There are many other sites, although few as useful as the two mentioned (in my inhumble judgment). My site is simply one more to add to the mix, and may prove more a self indulgent exercise in self cataloging than a Useful and Helpful addition to the content of the world wide web.
The Book Puzzler keeps links to some of these sites, and lists them in an organized and well-thought-out manner on his Blog.
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Where does the Book Puzzler Live?
We gave him a lean-to out in the meadow to sleep in. He had to finish the roof but now it keeps out the rain and most of the wind. In the winter we clear out some spaces between the boxes of books in the garret for him to lie down in when he gets sleepy.
Is the Book Puzzler Religious?
Only during thunderstorms while he is in his lean-to. Otherwise, the Book Puzzler prefers not to discuss religion. When pressed for an answer he admits to being very confused by it all. All the gods seem so well meaning and trustworthy that it is hard for him to decide which is telling the truth. The Book Puzzler vacillates between worshiping them all, or just ingoring the issue altogether. Do not expect any more information on this subject in the foreseeable future.
Does the Book Puzzler have a Favorite Food?
The Book Puzzler enjoys buttered popcorn. He is not allowed to eat this around books, however. In fact, his eating habits around books have lead to some specific prohibitions, referred to here in the Zephyrus Books Infrequently Asked Questions Department.
What kind of music does the Book Puzzler listen to?
The Book Puzzler tends to listen to whatever anyone else happens to be listening to. He is always afraid that if he chooses the music, people who are more critical and discerning than he will judge him harshly, chastise him for his choices, and otherwise make him feel as though he has made a bad decision.
The exception is music for children. Being larger than (most) children, he is able to barge his way to the CD player and put in a CD before anyone can stop him. The problem is that in this type of situation the only music available is kids music.
The Book Puzzler is very opinionated about this, and feels that much music for children is horrible and should not be inflicted upon them. Children are the future of our planet, and if they grow up with horrid musical taste we are doomed.
He is so opinionated, in fact, that he has put together a list of music he feels is fit for children:
The Book Puzzler Guide to Worthwhile Music for Children
I understand The Book Puzzler enjoys looking at the pictures. Does he have any favorite artists?
The Book Puzzler appreciates fine art. He is partial to the countryscapes and portraits by Bruegel
If you cannot afford an original Bruegel, the Book Puzzler recommends you visit Eleanor Sweeney Photography to get an idea of some nice contemporary photography that is available. The Book Puzzler admits that his recommendations are biased by familial relationships.
Does the Book Puzzler really dress like that?
No. His children would get very upset and confused if they saw him dressed like that. He is not certain what his wife would think.
Is there anything else I should know about the Book Puzzler?
No.
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