---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Private libraries were extraordinary…"
description: "\"“Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de Moray mused. To have an entire room filled with books--- in one's own house --- seemed quite fan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg"
---

#  Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de…

![“Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de Moray mused. To have an entire room filled with books--- in one's own house --- seemed quite fantastical. She'd eat, sleep, and daydream surrounded by stories and be completely happy.” quote by Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg)

> ““Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de Moray mused. To have an entire room filled with books--- in one's own house --- seemed quite fantastical. She'd eat, sleep, and daydream surrounded by stories and be completely happy.””

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A private library offers a personal sanctuary where books become a source of joy and imagination.

**In simple terms:** A personal library brings happiness and imagination.

Key Takeaway

Create a space for books you love.

Themes

solitude reading joy

Mood

content nostalgic

Type

reflective inspirational

When to use this quote

- home office
- study room
- personal retreat

Key Concepts

personal sanctuary literary escape

Questions to Reflect On

- How would a private library change your daily life?
- What books would you keep close?

A Different Perspective

May become costly or impractical for some.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Elspeth Moray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elspeth-moray-5817231/) [Filled Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filled-books-277773/) [Lady Elspeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lady-elspeth-5817232/) [Libraries Extraordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libraries-extraordinary-5817230/) [Preferable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preferable/) [Private Libraries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-libraries-2874658/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/)

## Related quotes

> [I often wonder what my life would be like without the use of a library. Throughout my education and career, public and private libraries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-horowitz/i-often-wonder-what-my-life-would-be-like-without-the-use-of-a/)

[David Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-horowitz/)

> [I write my story in my books, It show that your name filled in my books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-write-my-story-in-my-books-it-show-that-your-name-filled-in-my-books/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The shelf was filled with books that were hard to read, that could devastate and remake one's soul, and that, when they were finished,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/the-shelf-was-filled-with-books-that-were-hard-to-read-that-could/)

[Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/)

> [When I was growing up, my house was filled with books. My mother was an educator, and my father was a history buff, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-kinney/when-i-was-growing-up-my-house-was-filled-with-books-my-mother-was-an/)

[Jeff Kinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-kinney/)

> [Graveyards are filled with books that were never written, songs that were never sung, words that were never spoken, things that were never done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-victor-hansen/graveyards-are-filled-with-books-that-were-never-written-songs-that/)

[Mark Victor Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-victor-hansen/)

> [My house is filled with books, most of which I have read, some of which I intend to eventually get to. I'm always reading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/my-house-is-filled-with-books-most-of-which-i-have-read-some-of-which/)

[Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/)

> [“a true reader always had at least one bookcase filled with books, despite owning an e-reader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-true-reader-always-had-at-least-one-bookcase-filled-with-books/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“all around the walls there are bookcases. They're filled with books. Books and books and books, right out in plain view, no locks, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/all-around-the-walls-there-are-bookcases-they-re-filled-with-books/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [I was so fortunate to be raised in a household filled with books and - as you might imagine to be the case in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-bush-koch/i-was-so-fortunate-to-be-raised-in-a-household-filled-with-books-and/)

[Dorothy Bush Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-bush-koch/)

> [His books were part of him. Each year of his life, it seemed, his books became more and more a part of him. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/his-books-were-part-of-him-each-year-of-his-life-it-seemed-his-books/)

[Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/)

> [There's so much published by so many different publishers. Most of the time, I don't have to confront that, but walking into a conference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/there-s-so-much-published-by-so-many-different-publishers-most-of-the/)

[Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/)

> [“His apartment is small and filled with books from the toilet tank to the top of the fridge. I think he has to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lynch/his-apartment-is-small-and-filled-with-books-from-the-toilet-tank-to/)

[Jennifer Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lynch/)

> [“But I do go in for books. I love to own books. Though I read few books twice, I have filled every shelf in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bennett/but-i-do-go-in-for-books-i-love-to-own-books-though-i-read-few-books/)

[Joe Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bennett/)

> [ “Revolution from above, in some states and cases, is \[...\] often preferable to the status quo, or to no revolution at all.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/revolution-from-above-in-some-states-and-cases-is-often-preferable-to/)

[Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/)

> [It is preferable not to travel with a dead man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-michaux/it-is-preferable-not-to-travel-with-a-dead-man/)

[Henri Michaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-michaux/)

## More by Elizabeth Hoyt

> [Shhh.” He put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out. I cannot deny that I would've liked to have made babies with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shhh-he-put-a-finger-to-her-lips-hear-me-out-i-cannot-deny-that-i/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“When you’ve tired of me,” she said softly, precisely, “Apollo will still be my brother. Will still be there for me.” “I’ll never tire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/when-you-ve-tired-of-me-she-said-softly-precisely-apollo-will-still/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Where are we going?” she asked. “Mr. Durbin’s sheep have begun to lamb, and I wanted to see how the ewes are doing.” He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/where-are-we-going-she-asked-mr-durbin-s-sheep-have-begun-to-lamb-and/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“His nostrils flared just a little bit, and the lines bracketing his mouth grew deeper. He snarled with his beautiful, twisted lips and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/his-nostrils-flared-just-a-little-bit-and-the-lines-bracketing-his/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Margaret in contrast held her head high, her cheeks flagged with a becoming rose color. She looked like a goddess enraged. A goddess who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/margaret-in-contrast-held-her-head-high-her-cheeks-flagged-with-a/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Ye know as well as I that I lost whatever heart I once had long ago,” Mick replied without emotion, a simple statement of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/ye-know-as-well-as-i-that-i-lost-whatever-heart-i-once-had-long-ago/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Be that as it may, a gentleman doesn’t continue to press his attentions on a lady who can’t return them.” “Then, as I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/be-that-as-it-may-a-gentleman-doesn-t-continue-to-press-his/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [Excuse me, but I believe you have my lady,” one of them said in a quiet, deep voice that sent veritable chills down George’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/excuse-me-but-i-believe-you-have-my-lady-one-of-them-said-in-a-quiet/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Women were something best bought, he’d found. Pay them, f\*ck them, and send them away in the morning. That way avoided tears, recriminations, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/women-were-something-best-bought-he-d-found-pay-them-f-ck-them-and/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“A mother never abandons her child, even when he seems to want it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/a-mother-never-abandons-her-child-even-when-he-seems-to-want-it/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“There, there, sweetin’,” he murmured into her hair. “He loved me, he truly did,” she gasped. “I know he did,” Michael said. “And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/there-there-sweetin-he-murmured-into-her-hair-he-loved-me-he-truly/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [He watched her retreat, his eyes lazy, and his body unmoving. A trickle of blood seeped slowly from the corner of his mouth. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/he-watched-her-retreat-his-eyes-lazy-and-his-body-unmoving-a-trickle/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Iris tasted of red wine- the red wine she must have drunk at dinner- and all the reasons he shouldn't do this fled his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/iris-tasted-of-red-wine-the-red-wine-she-must-have-drunk-at-dinner/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“Griffin took one step toward the big desk and swiped his arms across the entire top. Pens, papers, books, a small marbel bust, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/griffin-took-one-step-toward-the-big-desk-and-swiped-his-arms-across/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [“If I've never stepped outside the role that's been assigned to me since birth, I've never tested myself. I've been too afraid of others'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/if-i-ve-never-stepped-outside-the-role-that-s-been-assigned-to-me/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

[Explore all 217 Elizabeth Hoyt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

## More Preferable quotes

> [It is preferable not to travel with a dead man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-michaux/it-is-preferable-not-to-travel-with-a-dead-man/)

[Henri Michaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-michaux/)

> [ “Revolution from above, in some states and cases, is \[...\] often preferable to the status quo, or to no revolution at all.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/revolution-from-above-in-some-states-and-cases-is-often-preferable-to/)

[Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/)

> [Childhood doesn't have to be perfect, and children don't have to be beautiful. From a bit of grit may grow a pearl, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-graham/childhood-doesn-t-have-to-be-perfect-and-children-don-t-have-to-be/)

[Laurie Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-graham/)

> [The fact that the talk may be boring or turgid or uninspiring should not cause us to forget the fact that it is preferable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cabot-lodge-jr/the-fact-that-the-talk-may-be-boring-or-turgid-or-uninspiring-should/)

[Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cabot-lodge-jr/)

> [In Britain, the major public holiday used to be Guy Fawkes Day... that was celebrated on November 5th with things like bonfires and fireworks...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-morton/in-britain-the-major-public-holiday-used-to-be-guy-fawkes-day-that/)

[Lisa Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-morton/)

> [Pain is always preferable to numbness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-anderson/pain-is-always-preferable-to-numbness/)

[Scott Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-anderson/)

> [I don't really differentiate between different genres: if there's a good part going, I'll go after it, and it's preferable to me if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-gillen/i-don-t-really-differentiate-between-different-genres-if-there-s-a/)

[Aidan Gillen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-gillen/)

> [God grants us not always what we ask so as to bestow something preferable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-grants-us-not-always-what-we-ask-so-as-to-bestow-something/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“I pull out the blue spool of thread and the sharp needle I always keep in the left pocket of my dress--because old seams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shea-ernshaw/i-pull-out-the-blue-spool-of-thread-and-the-sharp-needle-i-always/)

[Shea Ernshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shea-ernshaw/)

> [Delay is preferable to error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/delay-is-preferable-to-error/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Some natural disasters were preferable to the sorts that people could wreak upon each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lawrence/some-natural-disasters-were-preferable-to-the-sorts-that-people-could/)

[Mark Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lawrence/)

> [“The devil you knew was always preferable to the devil you didn't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-devil-you-knew-was-always-preferable-to-the-devil-you-didn-t/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [“It's preferable to die than to lose the life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frei-tito-de-alencar-lima/it-s-preferable-to-die-than-to-lose-the-life/)

[Frei Tito de Alencar Lima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frei-tito-de-alencar-lima/)

> [Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/miseram-pacem-vel-bello-bene-mutari-even-war-is-preferable-to-a/)

[Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/)

> [Upon the principles of reason, the good of many is preferable to the good of a few or of one; a lasting good is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-astell/upon-the-principles-of-reason-the-good-of-many-is-preferable-to-the/)

[Mary Astell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-astell/)

[Browse all 39 Preferable quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preferable/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de Moray mused. To have an entire room filled with books--- in one's own house --- seemed quite fantastical. She'd eat, sleep, and daydream surrounded by stories and be completely happy.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Elizabeth Hoyt"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lady-elspeth-de-moray-mused-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Preferable"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lady-elspeth-de-moray-mused-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/elizabeth-hoyt-1675_preferable_private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lad_3179112.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de Moray mused. To have an entire room filled with…” — Elizabeth Hoyt",
                "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": "Elizabeth Hoyt",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lady-elspeth-de-moray-mused-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/private-libraries-were-extraordinary-lady-elspeth-de-moray-mused-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
