Books Quote by John Dunning
![“Carol would not be a bad one to [settle down] with. She's pretty and bright, and maybe this is what love is. She's good company: her interests broaden almost every day. She reads three books to my one, and I read a lot. We talk far into the night. She still doesn't understand the first edition…” quote by John Dunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d66/john-dunning-38519_books_carol-would-not-be-a-bad-one-to-settle-d_2088127.jpg)
““Carol would not be a bad one to [settle down] with. She's pretty and bright, and maybe this is what love is. She's good company: her interests broaden almost every day. She reads three books to my one, and I read a lot. We talk far into the night. She still doesn't understand the first edition game: Hemingway, she says, reads just as well in a two-bit paperback as he does in a $500 first printing. I can still hear myself lecturing her the first time she said that. Only a fool would read a first edition. Simply having such a book makes life in general and Hemingway in particular go better when you do break out the reading copies. I listened to myself and thought, This woman must think I'm a government-inspected horse's ass. Then I showed her my Faulkners, one with a signature, and I saw her shiver with an almost sexual pleasure as she touched the paper where he signed. Faulkner was her most recent god[.]””
About This Quote
The speaker admires a partner’s intellectual curiosity and shared love of reading, noting how simple pleasures like books can deepen connection, while also poking fun at pretentiousness.
In simple terms: A partner’s love of books and curiosity enriches a relationship, even if they’re quirky.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate shared interests and humor in love.
Themes
intimacy
humor
literature
compatibility
growth
Mood
warm
playful
Type
romantic
conversational
When to use this quote
- first dates
- long‑term relationships
- book clubs
- gift giving
Key Concepts
shared reading
intellectual bonding
playful teasing
personal reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance intellectual and emotional connection?
- What small gestures deepen shared experiences?
A Different Perspective
Focusing too much on intellectual compatibility can overlook other essential relationship aspects.
