Bright young collectors: Evan DeTurk

Our Bright Young Collectors series continues today with Evan DeTurk, an undergraduate student at Princeton University, where he was the winner of this year’s Elmer Adler Book Collecting Prize.

Where are you from? Where do you live?

I grew up in Seattle, Washington and currently reside in Princeton, NJ.

What are you studying at the university? What are your hopes for after you graduate?

I am currently studying Molecular Biology with a minor in Jazz Studies. I hope to pursue a career in research, biotechnology or biorisk while continuing to play and write music.

Please present your book collection to us. In which areas do you collect?

I primarily collect sci-fi books and comics and have a collection that is currently split between Seattle and Princeton. At this point all of my purchases are books that I want to read and I hope to create a collection that showcases the wonderful history and diversity of science fiction. I particularly enjoy reading and collecting books that depict important parts of science fiction history, interesting and/or novel subgenres, and stories with diverse cultural influences.

How many books are in your collection?

According to my trusty spreadsheet, I currently have 45 books, 25 graphic novels/comic books, and 125 single issue comics. People who know me know that I love making lists and organizing things, and my book collection is no exception.

What was the first book you bought for your collection?

I honestly have no idea when I decided to curate a collection rather than just buy books I like, but I think the first book I bought in the current collection was a paperback edition cat cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. Not science fiction in the traditional sense, this book certainly contains elements of the genre and really opened my eyes to the diversity within sci-fi.

How about the latest book?

The last book I bought was a paperback edition neuromage by William Gibson on eBay. I didn’t pay close enough attention to the listing and actually ended up with a different cover than I expected! Regardless, I’m very excited to read this book as I’m a huge fan of “cyberpunk” (think Bladerunner or ghost in the shell) subgenres and neuromage is one of his formative literary works.

And your favorite book in your collection?

In terms of both the story and the book itself, this has to be the case dune by Frank Herbert. I love the world Herbert created and the themes he explored in the first three books in the series. My copy is a mass-market paperback from 1977, which may not seem unique in itself, but is special to me because it was given to me by my aunt when she died.

The best bargain you’ve found?

I’ve found many cheap books at thrift and antique stores, but the best bargains have actually been free books I found in the dorm hallways when I moved out of my university. For example, I found a pristine copy of Octavia Butlers dusk I’m sitting in front of my building’s laundry room this year!

How about The One That Got Away?

The original hardcover version by Ted Chiang Stories from your life and others, his first collection of short stories. The text itself is another of my favorites – every story in the book is a winner, and the collection shows how short stories continue to play an important role in pushing the ideas of sci-fi. The original cover looks amazing but not amazing enough to justify spending the amount of money it would take me to get it. I have the new paperback version, but it’s definitely not the same.

What would be the Holy Grail for your collection?

One day I want to get a really beautiful copy of Beautiful new world. Not only is this a wonderful piece of dystopian sci-fi, it is also a literary classic and as such has been published in quality formats that most other books I collect will never see. I don’t normally mind this – I actually enjoy collecting old mass-market paperbacks as they help to romanticize the old days of sci-fi publishing and also fit my hands best when reading – but it’s undeniably exciting, somewhat Special to own also leather bound strap. I read first Beautiful new world before I started collecting, so if I decide to read it again I may just have to find an exceptionally nice copy.

Who is your favorite bookseller/bookstore?

I don’t know if I have an instant favorite, but of all the places I’ve been recently, I’ve particularly enjoyed my visits to the Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, MA, and Strand Books in New York City.

What would you collect if you didn’t collect books?

While I also collect pens and baseball caps, I would like to have a solid record collection as well. I love to play, write and listen to music, but currently only own about ten records for cost and storage reasons. A space-intensive collection is likely enough for a student who has to move every year.