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3,000 Books Burned: My New UPS Postal Address is ….

TO DONATE VIA MAIL SEND TO
Gerard Van der Leun
1380 East Avenue Suite 124-257
Chico, CA 95926

Many have asked about my address in order to send donations. And, since my new theme song is “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” money is appreciated at this point. Restoring/rebuilding one’s life from scratch is expensive at all points. This has been made clear to me over the past week. Everything needs to be restored.

“Need a stainless steel steamer to slip into your steaming pot? Tough. Go buy one. And while you’re at it buy the steaming pot. And the rest of the pans. And some knives. Oh and the stove you will steam them on….”

One element I have decided to restore to some extent is my library. I lost, counting those stored in the garage, some 3,000 volumes. To be honest the very thought of moving them… AGAIN… was exhausting to contemplate. Well, problem solved. But as to the NEXT library, I’ve determined one rule alone; only classics will be allowed and those I will cap at 300, and each of those will be a well-made book.

Hence, although I still need money donations, the address above will serve is you have a well made classic you’ve read and don’t mind parting with.


If this essay pleased or informed you DONATE HERE to help me recover after being burned out in the Paradise fire with my thanks.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Bill Jones November 17, 2018, 6:13 AM

    I sent my mite via paypal. It was the only method I then knew of.

    You might usefully spent a little time exploring alternatives rather than inducing use of a system which is indisputably being used as a tool by the enemies of the right.

    James Corbett is good on this. (and many other things too.)

  • Marica November 17, 2018, 6:28 AM

    Mailed a small package to this address yesterday. 3-6 business days. Please expect two more from Alibris vendors in a week or so.

  • Everyman November 17, 2018, 7:29 AM

    I woulds I could. Alas, Duncan still awaits my knock.

  • Marica November 17, 2018, 7:55 AM

    Well… . This update came a day late, see above. Of the six I sent, three are most definitely classics. The other three are just crappy old books I value and think others should, too. (One of these is just a link to a downloadable pfd file. The book is sort of available, but– and as much as I want to contribute– I could not justify $1004.00) Of the remaining two, one *should be* a classic, IMHO. The other has personal meaning for me and I thought you would enjoy it, too. When the physical books arrive– three I mailed yesterday & two coming via Alibris– just take what you’re interested. Please donate what doesn’t interest you to one of “Five Butte County Library branches have active Friends of the Library groups.”

    Chico Friends of the Library Booksale
    Every Saturday from 9:00am – 11:30am

    Durham Friends of the Library Booksale
    Contact the Friends for the next date

    Gridley Friends of the Library Booksale
    Contact the Friends for the next date

    Oroville Friends of the Library Booksale
    Booksales: 1st Saturday of every month*, 10:00am to 2:00pm
    (*except January and May)

    [I have not included information for the Paradise branch.]

  • Jeff Brokaw November 17, 2018, 9:39 AM

    This gives me a good reason to take a look and see what might be worth sending along to help you out.

  • Pat November 17, 2018, 9:59 AM

    Please let us know what books you have received so we do not send duplicates.

  • Bill November 17, 2018, 10:22 AM

    Gerard

    What do you mean by well made classics? Crisp examples of hardcover classics, unravaged by time or neglect? Any specific volumes?

  • Steve Diaz November 17, 2018, 10:29 AM

    Sir,
    Have you considered ebooks?
    if that doesn’t work for you , a list of what you really want would help the selection process..Amazon Wish list works great…

  • Jewel Atkins November 17, 2018, 10:48 AM

    Yes… A list of what you would like and what you’ve received!

  • JoanOfArgghh! November 17, 2018, 12:20 PM

    Just came across this:
    Angela B Neufeld
    14 November at 08:53
    I just heard this on the radio!

    “The Paradise girls volley ball team had a championship game set for Saturday, the 10th, but had lost all of their uniforms and equipment in the fire. The girls said they still wanted to attend the game up in Auburn, CA regardless of not having the proper equipment.

    Upon arrival the opposing Auburn team had made each of the girls Uniforms, purchased them new shoes and pads! Not only that, they made them a meal after the game, provided each girl with a $300 gift card, gave each girl a large bag of supplies and clothing. Then, they presented the team with $16,000 they had raised for them!!!

    Just another story about how our local community is coming together and serving one another. This love and kindness is beautiful to see. The world is still a place filled with love and support. I am so proud to be a part of this community and watch these stories of blessings unfold.”

  • H November 17, 2018, 7:05 PM

    I’ve one volume already plucked from my pile that’s a classic to me, but now I’ll have to rethink the selection. I’ll peruse the stacks again.

  • Leslie November 17, 2018, 7:33 PM

    I have a book all picked out, just need to pick up a cat toy.

  • lendie November 17, 2018, 8:11 PM

    Hope this isn’t a duplicate post.

    I’ve known Gerard in another online place since 1991. I’ve already offered this kind of help to him.
    I’ve set up a google spreadsheet to track books offered as Classics For Gerard. The link can be shared but only folks who have the link can access the spreadsheet. If you need any help accessing/posting please post here and/or email me at lena@numbershuffler.com. This way you can see what has already been offered/sent.

    As for what to send, I suspect Gerard wants both serendipity and the pleasure of receiving and opening gifts appearing from the ether from you.

    Click here to access the google spreadsheet:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U-D1i1d5QKOD7KdG_hb2PFBKsQ_1FHxVdvHJvFm5HXY/edit#gid=0

    lendie/Lena

  • Vanderleun November 17, 2018, 9:26 PM

    “What do you mean by well-made classics? Crisp examples of hardcover classics, unravaged by time or neglect? Any specific volumes”

    Good question. I do NOT mean expensive hardcover copies. I mean distinguished tome that can be new or used but should have something of a heft to them, a design equal to the text. I leave to each to decide for themselves what that means. I will love and treasure all.

  • Casey Klahn November 17, 2018, 10:18 PM

    I was wondering @ your books. I once started over after losing an expensive library (not a fire).

    Are you in your mother’s apartment? I know you said before but I can’t remember. Anyway, glad you put out the call for books. I’ll take a look at my pretty fair library and see what I can send, and will gladly.

  • David Spence November 18, 2018, 8:14 AM

    I’m sure that I’m not the only person here who has, or has had an Etsy site. If you make things, either for sale or otherwise, please consider this option. Also, if you typically “Adopt-a-Family” for Christmas, maybe this year do it for some of these suffering fire survivors and their families.

  • John the River November 18, 2018, 9:22 AM

    Dear Gerard,
    May you live long enough to find the time to read all the books heading your way. (and maybe find the time for a couple of DVD’s).

  • u.k.(us) November 18, 2018, 1:54 PM

    ..”Well, problem solved. But as to the NEXT library, I’ve determined one rule alone; only classics will be allowed….”
    ======
    Yep, and don’t kid a kidder. The librarians will be back to check in about a decade 🙂

  • Vanderleun November 18, 2018, 5:23 PM

    Well, er, well…. well yes I guess.

  • Nahanni November 22, 2018, 10:09 AM

    I have sent you a copy of a book that has always been my “go to” place in good times and in bad. I hope it will serve in this capacity for you, too.

    “There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was a light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach. “