Asks Quote by George Packer
“I will find any excuse to go into somebody's study or ask them what they are reading. I can't think of too many other things that say what goes on in someone's head than the books they have.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Power of Books”, 2016
Books reveal a person’s inner thoughts, interests, and values more directly than any other clue.
In simple terms: Reading choices expose inner life.
Key Takeaway
Observe what people read to understand them.
Themes
psychology
literature
human behavior
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
observational
insightful
When to use this quote
- making friends
- networking
- personal counseling
- team building
Key Concepts
identity
cognitive reflection
social insight
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your own bookshelf say about you?
- How can you ask about reading without seeming intrusive?
A Different Perspective
People may hide their true selves despite their reading choices.
![“Kids absolutely not reading. I think it's because they're so screen-oriented [TVs, computers, smartphones]. They do read - girls in particular read a lot. They have a tendency to go toward the paranormal, romances, Twilight and stuff like that. And then it starts to taper off because other things…” quote by Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c88/stephen-king-13_computer_kids-absolutely-not-reading-i-think-it-s_305090.jpg)
