Around a dozen books were all due the day after I came back from San Diego. Before I left I figured I’d get a head start and return all of those books. But one of them. Never. Made. It. I now have an overdue book, Religion and Empire: The Dynamics of Aztec and Inca Expansionism by Conrad and Demarest. The question is: where is it? Let’s examine the evidence.
A month ago, before when I was gathering books to return to the library, I had the foresight to make a checklist, which I still have because my recycling bin is in dire need of emptying. The Conrad and Demarest book is clearly checked off so I must have found it that day.
The backpack I used to carry these books to the library dropslot was also used for my trip. It goes without saying that my book was not in my backpack. I checked anyway. Nope.
I visited the library today. My book has not been reshelved. Given that it has had a month to get back there, it seems likely that the book never re-entered circulation.
So where is the book?! The only conceivable place is that is is in my car. I looked from the driver’s seat and didn’t see it. My car is messy though so I should do a thorough all-angle search. If the book is not there I may have to concede defeat.
Update: It’s not in my car. Rawwwr!