Perhaps it would be more accurate to welcome you to the anti-library, as this is an inclusive place that celebrates interrupting, talking back, making noise, and disrupting social order.

I’m a nerd who loves to read dime novels and pulp fiction, two forms of “lowbrow” literature that were popular in America from the time of the Civil War to the end of World War II. What I don’t particularly love is all of the problematic content that these tales contain – embedded ideas about race, gender, class, and culture that are increasingly recognized as dysfunctional, at best. Since these genres of literature play an important role in the history of American culture, and since I don’t personally believe in banning books, it occurred to me that creating annotated versions of pulp and dime novels could be a way for me to reclaim this much-beloved literature for the forces of good. By sharing my knowledge of American history – including our history of discrimination and the efforts we have made to right those wrongs – I hope to present a new version of these works which will allow readers to enjoy these campy, entertaining, and imaginative tales, while also learning a bit about how our pernicious stereotypes originated and some of the incredibly subtle ways they are perpetuated. Hence “The Library of Amazonia.”

My name is Alecto, and I’m the head librarian. I’m a white, middle-aged, middle-class woman from the American midwest. I’m not an academic, I’m just a lifelong lover of books and history who loves to talk about both of those things ad nauseum. I’m also neurodivergent with a talent for certain forms of pattern recognition and a high justice sensitivity. My teenage love of punk rock – particularly Joe Strummer (RIP) and The Clash – gifted me with strong anti-racist and left-wing political convictions. Mix all of those things up together and that will give you a basic overview of who I am and why I would do something like the Library as a passion project.

If you would like to contact me with questions or feedback – or just to say hello (I’m a little odd but I’m essentially benign, I swear) – please feel free to leave me a comment below. And if you know anyone you think would enjoy the Library, I’ve included a link to share. Thanks for reading, and I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness.

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