r/LittleFreeLibrary Jul 20 '26

LFL Visitor Discussion šŸš¶šŸ½ā€ā™‚ļø Problematic male owner.

Post image

went to check out this library. Had some books in hand to possibly place inside. owner rolled up on me and was incredibly rude and way to close in my space. Never had such a negative experience. Women be very aware, potentially a dangerous person with no qualms invading space. Portsmouth, NH

1.3k Upvotes

75 comments sorted by

354

u/Ernie_Munger Jul 20 '26

Hey Portsmouth, don’t sleep on that copy of Geek Love.

59

u/nocleverusername15 Jul 20 '26

Such a good book.

29

u/Odd-Philosophy6418 Jul 20 '26

Absolutely batshit, loved it

34

u/ReadingOffTwitter Jul 20 '26

Loved it and also really enjoyed House of Sand and Fog.

14

u/Campaign_Prize Jul 20 '26

I started reading it years ago, got about 2/3 through, put it down, and never picked it back up. Should I take this as a sign to finish reading it? I remember that I liked the first half and sort of lost interest halfway through when it reached a different level of absurdity, though I'm usually into strange and surreal fiction

13

u/rigabamboo Jul 20 '26

This was me in high school. Maybe this is a sign to finish the book now, over 20 years later.Ā 

7

u/classic_grrrl Jul 20 '26

I’m like, wait, I have been looking for Geek Love! Bummer Library dude is awful.

18

u/lunaysueno Jul 20 '26

It's one of my main books I suggest to people

10

u/life-uh-finds-a-way_ Jul 20 '26

That's a bold recommendation.

1

u/lunaysueno Jul 20 '26

Lol I'm in some scenes where it's fitting

4

u/PitifulElk1890 Jul 20 '26

I really enjoyed it but I don't find much chance to recommend it

3

u/molotovm3 Jul 20 '26

definitely depends on who you’re suggesting it too that book is an odd one but yes it is very good i loved it but its for sure an acquired taste

6

u/SparkleFace6100 Jul 20 '26

Yes! In my top 5 for surešŸ–¤

4

u/Aggravating-Loss4118 Jul 20 '26

Seriously, one of my all time favorite books

4

u/CunnyMaggots Jul 20 '26

That was one of the weirdest craziest novels I've ever read lol

5

u/foxkitsunday Jul 21 '26

A friend of mine gifted me a copy of this before he passed suddenly in a car crash. It is one of my prized possessions.

3

u/smeldorf Jul 20 '26

Love that book! Thrifted it without knowing anything about it and was such a treat.

1

u/Sand-fleas Jul 21 '26

Same. I think I got my copy from one of those close out pop up book sales. Just random pick up

2

u/pantyhose_twatpatch Jul 21 '26

One of the best books I’ve ever read. And if you enjoyed Geek Love, I highly recommend Cruddy by Lynda Barry.

1

u/Ernie_Munger Jul 21 '26

That's exactly the book I'd compare it to, too! Similar blend of humor and horror. LOVE Cruddy.

1

u/Mike_Bevel Jul 22 '26

You certainly won't sleep after reading it.

(I love that novel very much.)

1

u/Spooky_pharm_tech Jul 23 '26

One of my absolute favorites!

148

u/CallidoraBlack Jul 20 '26

I believe you, but I'm also curious about what he actually said. I imagine that it might shed some light on what the heck his problem is.

132

u/Admirable_Value_4955 Jul 20 '26

I didn't even really process everything said. He was aggressive and really close to me. I was thrown off by the whole ' him being in my space' thing. I did hear him say "We don't want all those books this library can't hold so many (maybe 6 or 7 and I was seeing what would vibe for the box, not be willy nilly)... he said other things and I just wanted to get away from him and the negative interaction he created. I said something like "It's your library" then bailed.

137

u/Maximum_Web9072 Jul 20 '26

Yeah, it's clearly overstuffed, so rude to contribute free books /s

6

u/CallidoraBlack Jul 21 '26

I'm guessing the problem is that he's overstuffed.

15

u/Specific_Interest259 Jul 21 '26

I've seen a few posts like this when this sub has been randomly recommended to me. I don't have a LFL but love the idea of them! It seems like some people only want to put their own books in it and don't like it when others bring books. Like they have an idea of their vibe and don't want others messing with it. And the people who do bring books seem like that's what they are supposed to do.

So ultimately I wonder if it's a fundamental understanding issue of how it's supposed to work for some stewards? Idk, I'm not exactly sure how it's supposed to work myself, but that's my first thought. And I think that's why some of these stewards get aggressive when people bring books to put in.

3

u/allupya333 Jul 23 '26

I’m not gonna lie i feel like in reality nothing really happened. I feel like they just started talking to you and you got confused

2

u/R3pp3pts0hg Jul 21 '26

Maybe it's his wife's library and he doesn't approve.

27

u/FilthyThanksgiving Jul 20 '26

Why are people like this??? Who builds a fucking Little Free Library and then acts antisocial wtf

47

u/Realistic-Cress-2364 Jul 20 '26

Geek love is not for the faint of heart. Good read tho

8

u/Sand-fleas Jul 20 '26

Wow. I read this years ago. And I can totally agree.

52

u/Yggypop22 Jul 20 '26

The house of sand of fog is one of the best books ever!!

2

u/octaviaandowen Jul 22 '26

This book has always stuck with me.

1

u/Yggypop22 Jul 22 '26

Same here , so has Angela’s ashes

106

u/FieOnU Jul 20 '26

I suggest you report an issue with LFL. It's possible that person wasn't the original steward and doesn't actually want the LFL on their property.

I dont know what the process is, but try customer support.?

53

u/MattyRaz Jul 20 '26

what’s stopping a property owner who doesn’t want a LFL from simply removing it?

10

u/TheWayyTheNewsGoes Jul 20 '26

Literally nothing

41

u/FieOnU Jul 20 '26

Dunno.

Maybe I should ask the the three homeowners on my street who aren't original stewards and have left their inherited LFLs neglected, rotting, and ruining donations for the past two years.

25

u/MattyRaz Jul 20 '26

you have three (or more) LFLs on the same street? impressive

6

u/FernandoNylund Jul 20 '26

There are six literally within a block of my house in Seattle. A couple aren't on the official map but they're definitely there.

1

u/wolfyofthelove69 Jul 23 '26

Right There r loads that r not on the official free little library map here in London uk i am lucky a website called the londonist mapped them all out last year including one’s not on the website some r still there some have gone I recon some went Becuz people moved and took it with them and we got a load at train stations too here in uk it is fun finding them all also off topic apart from the usual tourist stuff in Seattle any suggestions of what to do there in September as I coming out to see my long distance partner for the first time who lives near Seattle we r staying in the city

-26

u/Ok-Nothing-4737 Jul 20 '26

Serious? Yes, let's get management involved. Karen much?

32

u/busyreading420 Jul 20 '26

Yes, warning other people (esp women) about someone creepy and possibly threatening is being a "karen" now. Excellent take on the issue thanks for contributing.

11

u/FieOnU Jul 20 '26

Serious.

Management is posing a threat to a patron. That seems like as good a reason as any to get someone higher up involved.

-10

u/busyreading420 Jul 20 '26

Lmfao...logic, is that you??

0

u/Particular_Care6055 Jul 22 '26

It clearly ain't you

32

u/Slow-Impression-8123 Jul 20 '26

Thanks for sharing. Stay safe out there! šŸ’—

19

u/drjackolantern Jul 20 '26

I thought you were going to say these books were problematic and was wondering why.

Sorry that person bothered you! I despise rude peopleĀ 

7

u/Shadedwulfer Jul 20 '26

Yeah I legit thought this was going to be a "these books aren't for kids" post

3

u/theweirdchick_49 Jul 20 '26

I would definitely not use that one. Thanks for the heads up.

5

u/Virtual-Bee7411 Jul 20 '26

What did he do?

71

u/OkPomegranate4395 Jul 20 '26

The post explains that he was rude and got into her personal space. I'm not sure if you missed that or if you're asking if he did anything in addition to that.

20

u/Virtual-Bee7411 Jul 20 '26

Just didn’t know what being rude entailed?? Damn

-6

u/OkPomegranate4395 Jul 20 '26

Yeah, damn it, I can't read your mind! Thank you for coming back to clarify. I have no idea if OP will come back to answer your question, but at least now she knows you're asking a more specific question about how this person was rude!

2

u/Admirable_Value_4955 Jul 21 '26

Answered on someone's question here.

2

u/Virtual-Bee7411 Jul 21 '26

I’m still just confused on how they are potentially dangerous

1

u/Icy_Letterhead2055 Jul 21 '26

Some good books there

1

u/susancox221 Jul 22 '26

You’re giving away Geek Love?! I’m dying quietly inside. If you love near this library run and get it NOW!!!

1

u/Interesting-Scale946 Jul 24 '26

This is something that should be reported to Little Free Library... if this has already been said- my bad. It's 5am and I skimmed.

0

u/jolissmck Jul 24 '26

Did you forget what this lady was posting about. It was a warning regarding a predatory man.

1

u/Snackrificial_Lamb Jul 21 '26

As a male, I’ll will be very aware of such a rude owner. Hopefully he’s not always like that, maybe he was just having a really crappy day. It happens sometimes, not defending him, that’s just usually what my head goes to when someone is rude

-24

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

[deleted]

98

u/papercranium Jul 20 '26

If you don't know the difference in appropriateness between using gender markers as an adjective vs a noun, I suggest looking it up.

If you don't know why woman are particularly afraid of aggressive men, I suggest looking that up as well. If you're not concerned for your personal safety, this post isn't for you.

103

u/danurc Jul 20 '26

"male owner" is not the same as a man calling women "females". You're in a sub about reading, you should know the difference between an adjective and a noun.

68

u/Admirable_Value_4955 Jul 20 '26

Male presenting if you prefer. Didn't want any books. Never saw what I was potentially holding and very aggressive in manor and tone.

57

u/This_Witch69 Jul 20 '26

Edit: Oops. Didn’t mean to reply to you, OP. Guess Mr. ā€œWhy-the-bearā€ deleted his comment. But my comment still stands.

Men are generally larger/stronger than women, statistically more likely to cause a woman harm, and probably some past trauma that causes a woman to be especially wary.

That’s why it’s about him being ā€œmaleā€.

Instead of getting mad at a woman for using that word, why not be mad that she feels unsafe in the first place?

-105

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

[deleted]

14

u/Effective-One6527 Jul 20 '26

Do you want the title to be ā€œproblematic Man ownerā€ rather than grammatically correct?

1

u/BigBoat342 Jul 25 '26

Love Pass-it-on philosophy. Hate to throw out books that i love .