Zoo City review

       The most recent addition to the complete review is my review of Lauren Beukes' Zoo City.

       By the way, I think this is the first book that I've bought and paid list or near-list price for all year; I buy lots of the books I review, but all used (though oddly four of the past five under review were borrowed from the library). While I'm a fan of independent bookstores, I'm afraid I practically never buy from them (but note I never buy from Amazon, and generally only buy a handful of books from Barnes & Noble (physical store) for gift giving purposes -- none so far this year).
       Why did I buy this book, paying the full $7.99 list price ?

• Option one failed: I requested a copy from the publisher, but they didn't send me one
  
  
• Option two failed: The New York Public Library does not have a copy of this (or Beukes' other book) in circulation (that despite having hosted an event with Beukes this summer ..... Outrageous)
  
  
• Feeling guilty about never 'supporting' (i.e. patronizing) independent bookstores -- and eager to read this -- I was glad to find a copy at recently beleaguered St. Mark's Bookshop
  
  
• Most importantly, however, St.Marks had a mass market paperback copy of the book in stock -- which, ever since it won the Arthur C.Clarke, seems practically only available in the ridiculous trade paperback size (as, for eample, was the case at my local Barnes & Noble, which I easily resisted picking up). Oh, the pleasures of the mass market size ! So few American books I get my hands on are available in it ..... I'd be willing to pay a premium for books produced in this properly handy size !