--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you can’t get a boy, get a book." description: "\"“If you can’t get a boy, get a book.”\" — Bill Condon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg" --- # If you can’t get a boy, get a book. ![“If you can’t get a boy, get a book.” quote by Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg) > ““If you can’t get a boy, get a book.”” [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If a romantic relationship is unattainable, seek companionship and growth through literature. **In simple terms:** When love isn’t possible, turn to books. Key Takeaway Read for connection. Themes love literature alternatives Mood reflective inspired Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - single life - breakups - personal growth Key Concepts psychology culture Questions to Reflect On - What book has taught you about love? - How can reading substitute for relationships? A Different Perspective Books cannot replace human intimacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ## Related quotes > [“THE BADGE BOYS SERIES Book #1: PRETTY BOY Book #2: DARK WEB   THE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-oakes/the-badge-boys-series-book-1-pretty-boy-book-2-dark-web-the/) [Tara Oakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-oakes/) > [\*two girls hitting a boy with a book\* me: hey girls are hitting on you! :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yeah-buddy/two-girls-hitting-a-boy-with-a-book-me-hey-girls-are-hitting-on-you/) Yeah Buddy > [“He was the boy with the book. Always and forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/he-was-the-boy-with-the-book-always-and-forever/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/there-are-great-books-in-this-world-and-great-worlds-in-books/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## More by Bill Condon > [I really think the biopic thing so rarely works, because peoples lives dont have a dramatic shape that can be satisfying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/i-really-think-the-biopic-thing-so-rarely-works-because-peoples-lives/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [But you really - I always think that a director has got to adapt to whatever the needs of the actor are. You know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/but-you-really-i-always-think-that-a-director-has-got-to-adapt-to/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [“Bull spots us and gives his two-thumbs salute, trotting backwards. Imm-pressive! All those years of practice are starting to pay off - his footy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/bull-spots-us-and-gives-his-two-thumbs-salute-trotting-backwards-imm/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [“I stroll into the kitchen. Bull's making lunch. He's actually no relation to me, though secretly I look on him as my big brother,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/i-stroll-into-the-kitchen-bull-s-making-lunch-he-s-actually-no/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [In Hollywood through the 50s, there were black, English, and Middle European housekeepers and maids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/in-hollywood-through-the-50s-there-were-black-english-and-middle/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [I know a little more about Kinsey than I know about sex because that is his subject not mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/i-know-a-little-more-about-kinsey-than-i-know-about-sex-because-that/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [That day I think we really saw each other for the first time. I mean, saw beyond the bag of bones on the outside.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/that-day-i-think-we-really-saw-each-other-for-the-first-time-i-mean/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [When it comes to two of the big social earthquakes in the last fifty years - which are the gay movement and the women's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/when-it-comes-to-two-of-the-big-social-earthquakes-in-the-last-fifty/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [Kinsey kick started a lot in shocking people with how much homosexual activity there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/kinsey-kick-started-a-lot-in-shocking-people-with-how-much-homosexual/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [I don't think 'Twilight' should be approached like 'Batman.' Because it is an invented kind of world, especially this one, I think it's got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/i-don-t-think-twilight-should-be-approached-like-batman-because-it-is/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [“Not bad, not bad. That's one down. Only a million to go.' 'Right. Thanks, Shark.' I should have known to expect something like that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/not-bad-not-bad-that-s-one-down-only-a-million-to-go-right-thanks/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [I do think that's so much a part of what being a director is - in working with actors - to really try and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/i-do-think-that-s-so-much-a-part-of-what-being-a-director-is-in/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [Kinsey thought that Freud in his own way was as dangerous as the Catholic Church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/kinsey-thought-that-freud-in-his-own-way-was-as-dangerous-as-the/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [“Tiff like in Breakfast at Tiffany's,' he says. 'Right?' I couldn't be more shocked. 'Um... yes, that's right - it's an old movie.' 'Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/tiff-like-in-breakfast-at-tiffany-s-he-says-right-i-couldn-t-be-more/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [But the imposition of morality onto science, - where it does not belong - has become rampant in recent years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/but-the-imposition-of-morality-onto-science-where-it-does-not-belong/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) [Explore all 66 Bill Condon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) ## More Book quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I don't think I have made as much of my life as I should have. I should have written more books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/i-don-t-think-i-have-made-as-much-of-my-life-as-i-should-have-i/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/there-are-great-books-in-this-world-and-great-worlds-in-books/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 29,378 Book quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you can’t get a boy, get a book.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bill Condon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Book" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/bill-condon-10295_book_if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book-175134_1751348.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you can’t get a boy, get a book.” — Bill Condon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bill Condon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If you can’t get a boy,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/if-you-can-t-get-a-boy-get-a-book/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```