In the Beginning

Well, I've been talking about starting this blog for a while and now it has happened.

First I guess, a bit of background on who I am and how I came to decide to do such a blog and then no more of that nonsense!

I am a retired wildlife professional who spent over 30 years managing wildlife refuges and wildlife in several different states.  I've had a love of natural history since I was very young and it is still an abiding passion today. 

In my recreational life I am most passionate about hunting (the kind involving guns and critters) and collecting books.  Hunting is predominantly a Spring and Fall happening for me.  So during the time of year when I am not hunting, I am an ardent seeker of used bookstores and books.  Book hunting is what I love to do in the "off season."

Over the last couple of years, in my new occupation as "an old retired guy" I've probably been to some 50-60 used bookstores.  Each one has proved to be a very individual experience and I've met some of the most fascinating and eccentric owners of these establishments that one could ever imagine encountering.

Some of these stores have been in strip malls, a few in basements, occasionally in an historic building, and even some way out of town in the countryside.  But all have that pull of the hope of the unexpected.  I collect primarily natural history related books and like most collectors, I have, at any given time, a handful of authors whose collections I am working on.  Each time I go through the door of one of these musty, dusty, dimly lit used book stores, I wonder "will I find one here?" 

And when there is that serendipitous moment when I do, it is simply divine.  The harvest of the hunt.

But I often find those books that I wasn't looking for or didn't know I needed until I stumble across them in the quest for something else.  They call out to me that they too would be a fine addition to my library.  And so the library grows.  I have no idea how many I shall have when my book hunting days end.  A lot of them.  But as I tell my children, "Hey, it will be your problem, not mine!"

So I hope you will join me as I report from points near and far of my adventures in pursuit of the elusive book.  I'll try to post pictures, include a few engaging quotes from proprietor, and share my passion for fine books and the hunt to find them. 

Jay Banta