--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reading is of course dry work, and…" description: "\"“Reading is of course dry work, and further refreshment was called for and consumed.”\" — Diana Gabaldon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg" --- # Reading is of course dry work, and further refreshment was… ![“Reading is of course dry work, and further refreshment was called for and consumed.” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg) > ““Reading is of course dry work, and further refreshment was called for and consumed.”” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading can feel tedious, but taking breaks and refreshing oneself restores focus and enjoyment. **In simple terms:** Reading can be tiring; pause helps. Key Takeaway Schedule regular mental refreshes. Themes literature focus productivity self‑care Mood thoughtful balanced Type practical motivational When to use this quote - reading a novel - research work - studying - writing projects Key Concepts attention span mental fatigue creative immersion Questions to Reflect On - How often should you pause while reading? - What activities best recharge your mind? A Different Perspective Over‑refreshing can disrupt deep immersion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Called Consumed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-consumed-2003611/) [Dry Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dry-work-2003609/) [Refreshment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refreshment/) [Refreshment Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refreshment-called-2003608/) [Work Refreshment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-refreshment-2003610/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-more-refreshment-and-stimulation-in-a-nap-even-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe it is customary in good society to take some slight refreshment at five o'clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-believe-it-is-customary-in-good-society-to-take-some-slight/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Tis a little thing To give a cup of water; yet its draught of cool refreshment, drain'd by fever'd lips, May give a shock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-noon-talfourd/tis-a-little-thing-to-give-a-cup-of-water-yet-its-draught-of-cool/) [Thomas Noon Talfourd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-noon-talfourd/) > [“Yet not so strictly hath our Lord impos'd /Labor, as to debar when we need /Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,/ food of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-not-so-strictly-hath-our-lord-impos-d-labor-as-to-debar-when-we/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/to-sit-in-the-shade-on-a-fine-day-and-look-upon-verdure-is-the-most/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Let's sit down here. From here we can see more of the sky. The vast expanse of these starry heights is soothing. Life hurts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/let-s-sit-down-here-from-here-we-can-see-more-of-the-sky-the-vast/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [“There is no refreshment more gratifying to the soul than the sight of Nature in her summer finery, before the heat is at its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/there-is-no-refreshment-more-gratifying-to-the-soul-than-the-sight-of/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [“The usual for me." The usual was a strong infusion of different kinds of Oriental teas, which raised her spirits after her siesta.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/the-usual-for-me-the-usual-was-a-strong-infusion-of-different-kinds/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [Do you often feel like parched ground, unable to produce anything worthwhile? I do. When I am in need of refreshment, it isn't easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/do-you-often-feel-like-parched-ground-unable-to-produce-anything/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [As one who has often felt this need, and who has found refreshment in wild places, I attest to the recreational value of wilderness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-aiken/as-one-who-has-often-felt-this-need-and-who-has-found-refreshment-in/) [George Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-aiken/) > [“Will you take some refreshment?" His lip pulled into a snarl. Unable to contain himself, he added, "One last cup of tea before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/will-you-take-some-refreshment-his-lip-pulled-into-a-snarl-unable-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Well, then, we may as well find somewhere to have tea. After spiritual comes bodily refreshment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-pym/well-then-we-may-as-well-find-somewhere-to-have-tea-after-spiritual/) [Barbara Pym](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-pym/) > [“People are like waves of the ocean, some cover you with tides of refreshment, whilst others drown you in floods of turmoil”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imam-ali-as/people-are-like-waves-of-the-ocean-some-cover-you-with-tides-of/) [Imam Ali as](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imam-ali-as/) > [“On my first day in London I made an early start. Reaching the Public Record Office not much after ten, I soon secured the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-caudwell/on-my-first-day-in-london-i-made-an-early-start-reaching-the-public/) [Sarah Caudwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-caudwell/) > [Nature has not intended mankind to work from eight in the morning until midnight without that refreshment of blessed oblivion which, even if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/nature-has-not-intended-mankind-to-work-from-eight-in-the-morning/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Books 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/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [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/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [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/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [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/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Reading is of course dry work, and further refreshment was called for and consumed.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diana Gabaldon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-further-refreshment-was-called-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-further-refreshment-was-called-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/diana-gabaldon-185_books_reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-furthe_1797767.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Reading is of course dry work, and further refreshment was called for and consumed.” — Diana Gabaldon", "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": "Diana Gabaldon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Reading is of course dry work,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-further-refreshment-was-called-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/reading-is-of-course-dry-work-and-further-refreshment-was-called-for/#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 } } ] } ```