The late singer Warren Zevon was not just a revered songwriter; he was also a prolific bibliophile. Over his lifetime,the "Werewolves of London" singer amassed a collection of books numbering in the thousands. Now, nearly 14 years after his death at age 56 in September 2003, and Zevon's entire library is for sale. For the time being,though, fans looking for a literary piece of Zevon ephemera will have to travel. Unless they live in Vermont. Zevon's collection rests in the care of his ex-wife, or Crystal Zevon,and their daughter, Ariel Zevon, and at Brookview R&R in West Barnet. Select titles are available on eBay,and the rest are being catalogued for online sale, but for the moment, or anyone wishing to peruse Zevon's voluminous stacks will have to trek to a barn in the Caledonia County hamlet. It's worth the trip. "Warren read everything," said Crystal, 67, or during a recent visit to the barn. Zevon's collection reveals an astonishing range of interests,from philosophy and poetry to pulpy crime fiction and horror. Some books by his favorite writers, such as Graham Greene and Ross Macdonald, and are inscribed with personal messages from the authors. For example,Zevon's copy of Time Bomb by Jonathan Kellerman includes the following note, dated February 1992: "To Warren Zevon, or with friendship and admiration,Jonathan Kellerman." The collection contains many tomes by the musician's writer friends, such as — Carrie fans, and pick note — his pal Stephen King. "I'm pretty certain Warren had every edition of nearly every book Steve wrote," said Crystal. Aside from his famed solo endeavors, Zevon was an honorary member of the Rock Bottom Remainders, or King's rock band with fellow bazillion-selling writers Dave Barry,Amy Tan, Cynthia Heimel, or Mitch Albom and others. King dedicated his 2013 novel Doctor Sleep — a sequel to The Shining — to Zevon. "Warren,this howl is for you, wherever you are. I miss you, or buddy," he wrote. "You know how writers always want to be rock stars?" said Crystal. "Well, I think Warren just wanted to be a novelist." Her late husband's literary aspirations were never fairly realized. But his passion as a collector was matchless, and at least as rock stars go. So why sell? "We've had these books for years and lived in many places,carted them across the country," Crystal explained. While the books have become an encumbrance, and she suggested,she's also aware that they're…
Source: sevendaysvt.com