--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I Need a Good Book I need a good story. I…" description: "\"I Need a Good Book I need a good story. I need a good book. The kind that explodes Off the shelf. I need some good writing, Alive and exciting, To cont..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/john-lithgow-2438_adventure_i-need-a-good-book-i-need-a-good-story-i_3059807.jpg" --- # I Need a Good Book I need a good story. I need a good… ![“I Need a Good Book I need a good story. I need a good book. The kind that explodes Off the shelf. I need some good writing, Alive and exciting, To contemplate all by myself. I need a good novel, I need a good read. I probably need Two or three. I need a good tale Of love and betrayal Or perhaps an…” quote by John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/john-lithgow-2438_adventure_i-need-a-good-book-i-need-a-good-story-i_3059807.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/john-lithgow-2438_adventure_i-need-a-good-book-i-need-a-good-story-i_3059807.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/john-lithgow-2438_adventure_i-need-a-good-book-i-need-a-good-story-i_3059807.jpg) > “I Need a Good Book I need a good story. I need a good book. The kind that explodes Off the shelf. I need some good writing, Alive and exciting, To contemplate all by myself. I need a good novel, I need a good read. I probably need Two or three. I need a good tale Of love and betrayal Or perhaps an adventure at sea. I need a good saga. I need a good yarn. A momentous and mightily Or slight one. But with thousands and thousands And thousands of books, I need someone to tell me The right one. -John Lithgow” [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker longs for a compelling, vivid novel that offers excitement, emotion, and escape, seeking guidance amid overwhelming choices. **In simple terms:** Looking for an exciting, emotionally rich book. Key Takeaway Seek recommendations that match your mood and interests. Themes reading adventure emotion escape choice Mood enthusiastic contemplative Type recommendation personal request When to use this quote - personal reading list - library browsing - online recommendation tools - book clubs - genre-specific searches Key Concepts narrative depth character development genre blending Questions to Reflect On - What themes most excite you right now? - How do you decide which story to start? A Different Perspective Personal taste varies; no single book can satisfy all desires. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Betrayal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betrayal/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Good book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-book/) [Good reads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-reads/) [Good writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-writing/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Saga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saga/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Tales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tales/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [To me, the thing that is worse than death is betrayal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/to-me-the-thing-that-is-worse-than-death-is-betrayal/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/love-never-dies-a-natural-death-it-dies-because-we-don-t-know-how-to-4/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“Here the mystery of drinking the cup becomes clear. The coming and leaving of friends, the experiences of love and betrayal, of care and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-j-m-nouwen/here-the-mystery-of-drinking-the-cup-becomes-clear-the-coming-and/) [Henri J.M. Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-j-m-nouwen/) > [I want to be a writer you can always depend on for a good read during your vacation, during your flight, during a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-abbott/i-want-to-be-a-writer-you-can-always-depend-on-for-a-good-read-during/) [Jeff Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-abbott/) > [You get a pretty good read by watching the play, and knowing what you would have done - having done most of the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pronger/you-get-a-pretty-good-read-by-watching-the-play-and-knowing-what-you/) [Chris Pronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pronger/) > [We are in a great school, and we should be diligent to learn, and continue to store up the knowledge of heaven and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/we-are-in-a-great-school-and-we-should-be-diligent-to-learn-and/) [Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/) > [You can get really good reads on your dreams if you think of every character in them as actually being you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-darnielle/you-can-get-really-good-reads-on-your-dreams-if-you-think-of-every/) [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) > [A trap screenwriters can fall into is making scripts that are good reads, which doesn't necessarily mean it will make a good film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-straughan/a-trap-screenwriters-can-fall-into-is-making-scripts-that-are-good/) Peter Straughan > [I try to write about complex issues--young people in an adult world-- full of irony and contradiction in a narrative style that relies heavily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avi/i-try-to-write-about-complex-issues-young-people-in-an-adult-world/) [Avi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avi/) > [Fills the heart with its unforgettable characters and small-town charm. A feel-good read as welcome as a favorite friend!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-ridgway/fills-the-heart-with-its-unforgettable-characters-and-small-town/) [Christie Ridgway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-ridgway/) > [Mortality is the great rescuer, it finally takes you out of everything, and that makes life good.Read Carl Jung. It makes life richer because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/mortality-is-the-great-rescuer-it-finally-takes-you-out-of-everything/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [“I love good reads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kz-morano/i-love-good-reads/) KZ Morano > [A lot of music fans are still interested in insightful perspectives on music - maybe even more interested than ever, since everyone needs help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-azerrad/a-lot-of-music-fans-are-still-interested-in-insightful-perspectives/) [Michael Azerrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-azerrad/) > [A rollicking good read-THE HUNTER is steampunk with a Wild West feel. Theresa Meyers is an entertaining and witty writer with a fresh, new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmine-galenorn/a-rollicking-good-read-the-hunter-is-steampunk-with-a-wild-west-feel/) [Yasmine Galenorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmine-galenorn/) > [While much of modern behavioral and social science treats individuals as autonomous agents, it is absolutely clear that the way we think and act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-r-nelson/while-much-of-modern-behavioral-and-social-science-treats-individuals/) Richard R. Nelson ## More by John Lithgow > [It's nice when you've done enough movies that you can do your own anthology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/it-s-nice-when-you-ve-done-enough-movies-that-you-can-do-your-own/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [The Broadway audience is made up of a greater percentage of tourists now. There's not nearly as much variety and danger and challenge in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/the-broadway-audience-is-made-up-of-a-greater-percentage-of-tourists/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [My sense of myself is that I'm a character actor, and character actors are ready, willing, and able to do anything, to be totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/my-sense-of-myself-is-that-i-m-a-character-actor-and-character-actors/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [The essence of comedy, drama, and horror is surprise. I have an uncanny ability to surprise people because they look at my face, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/the-essence-of-comedy-drama-and-horror-is-surprise-i-have-an-uncanny/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I never get tired of hearing compliments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-never-get-tired-of-hearing-compliments/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I think there are all sorts of ways of turning into an actor, and there are a vast variety of different actors. You know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-think-there-are-all-sorts-of-ways-of-turning-into-an-actor-and/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I'd sleep under a Vermeer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-d-sleep-under-a-vermeer/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I'm an avid Boston Red Sox fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-m-an-avid-boston-red-sox-fan/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [My very first role was when I was 2 1/2 years old; I was one of Nora's children in 'A Doll's House,' with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/my-very-first-role-was-when-i-was-2-1-2-years-old-i-was-one-of-nora-s/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I'm as flighty as anybody. You put a lot out there. I've been through the process a lot. When I play a major role,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-m-as-flighty-as-anybody-you-put-a-lot-out-there-i-ve-been-through/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [We all grow up with inherited genes and inherited sensibilities, and they run very, very deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/we-all-grow-up-with-inherited-genes-and-inherited-sensibilities-and/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I don't deal with the nuts and bolts of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-don-t-deal-with-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-life/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [My worst audition was for Tim Burton for 'Batman.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/my-worst-audition-was-for-tim-burton-for-batman/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I gave up shame a long time ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-gave-up-shame-a-long-time-ago/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [Time sneaks up on you like a windshield on a bug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/time-sneaks-up-on-you-like-a-windshield-on-a-bug/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) [Explore all 166 John Lithgow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) ## More Adventure quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/) Kevin McLeod > [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/) [John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/) > [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. What did people mean, with their simply determined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/it-all-had-to-be-squeezed-and-squeezed-again-to-provide-a-thrill-to/) [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) > [I am not an adventurous person but I am gutsy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-am-not-an-adventurous-person-but-i-am-gutsy/) [Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) [Browse all 7,690 Adventure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I Need a Good Book I need a good story. I need a good book. 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