Book Quote by Jean-Philippe de Tonnac
““But what is a book? And what will change if we read onscreen rather than by turning the pages of a physical object? What will we gain, and more importantly, what will we lose? Old-fashioned habits, perhaps. A certain sense of the sacred that has surrounded the book in a civilisation that has made it our holy of holies. A peculiar intimacy between the author and reader, which the context of hypertextuality is bound to damage. A sense of existing in a self-contained world that the book and, along with it, certain ways of reading used to represent.””
About This Quote
Reading physical books offers a sacred, intimate experience that may be lost with digital screens, affecting habits, reverence, and the depth of author‑reader connection.
In simple terms: Books provide a unique, sacred experience.
Key Takeaway
Value tactile reading.
Themes
reading
books
habits
technology
culture
Mood
nostalgic
thoughtful
Type
Book:1
Books:1
Habits:1
Reading:1
Writer:0
Sense Sacred:1
Book Civilisation:0
Context Hypertextuality:0
Reader Context:0
Reading Used:0
When to use this quote
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
library visits
digital detox
literary analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you miss most about physical books?
- Can digital formats ever replicate the book’s sacred feel?
A Different Perspective
Digital reading can increase accessibility despite loss of intimacy.
