--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not surprising to me that books…" description: "\"It's not surprising to me that books ended up playing a central role in my life, but it is somewhat mysterious that poetry did.\" — Campbell McGrath" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/campbell-mcgrath-32135_book_it-s-not-surprising-to-me-that-books-end_1688085.jpg" --- # It's not surprising to me that books ended up playing a… ![“It's not surprising to me that books ended up playing a central role in my life, but it is somewhat mysterious that poetry did.” quote by Campbell McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/campbell-mcgrath-32135_book_it-s-not-surprising-to-me-that-books-end_1688085.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/campbell-mcgrath-32135_book_it-s-not-surprising-to-me-that-books-end_1688085.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/campbell-mcgrath-32135_book_it-s-not-surprising-to-me-that-books-end_1688085.jpg) > “It's not surprising to me that books ended up playing a central role in my life, but it is somewhat mysterious that poetry did.” [Campbell McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-mcgrath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Books shaped his life, yet poetry’s influence remains puzzling, highlighting differing literary impacts. **In simple terms:** Books are central, poetry is mysterious. Key Takeaway Explore diverse reading habits. Themes literature identity mystery Mood curious reflective Type personal literary When to use this quote - reading clubs - creative writing workshops - library programs Key Concepts poetry vs prose personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What draws you to prose over poetry? - How can poetry become more relatable? A Different Perspective Poetry may feel inaccessible to some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) ## Related quotes > [It's weirder and more surprising than the other books. I think there are more places where it's just more reality bending, deliberately so. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/it-s-weirder-and-more-surprising-than-the-other-books-i-think-there/) [Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/) > [“Her love of words is a private passion - one she would rather not share. 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It is lyrical prose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-mcgrath/traditionally-poetry-is-written-in-lines-but-the-prose-poem-is-the/) [Campbell McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-mcgrath/) > [People who publish poetry today do it from a sense that poetry needs to be published, not because they think they are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-mcgrath/people-who-publish-poetry-today-do-it-from-a-sense-that-poetry-needs/) [Campbell McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-mcgrath/) > [Poetry resonates differently in each culture; it doesn't in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-mcgrath/poetry-resonates-differently-in-each-culture-it-doesn-t-in-america/) [Campbell McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-mcgrath/) > [Many other cultures value poetry more than we do. 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