--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why are you doing this?” One of his hands…" description: "\"“Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the books. “Because books are made to be read,” I told him. “And you like to read.”\" — Katherine Al..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg" --- # Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the… ![“Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the books. “Because books are made to be read,” I told him. “And you like to read.” quote by Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg) > ““Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the books. “Because books are made to be read,” I told him. “And you like to read.”” [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He asks why he reads; she answers that books exist to be read and enjoyed. **In simple terms:** Books are meant for reading and enjoyment. Key Takeaway Read to experience stories. Themes reading books purpose literature Mood inquisitive inspirational reflective Type literature philosophy When to use this quote - education - personal growth - literary discussion Key Concepts communication knowledge pleasure Questions to Reflect On - How do you define the purpose of reading? - What role does reading play in your life? A Different Perspective The quote assumes all readers share this view; some read for research. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Books Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books-read/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [Miffed, I poked him in the chest. 'You think you know everything?' His hands caressed my back. 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I was told I could read by myself very well at the age of three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/well-i-can-t-remember-not-being-able-to-read-i-was-told-i-could-read/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Because only a fool believes everything they read or are told.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larissa-ione/because-only-a-fool-believes-everything-they-read-or-are-told/) [Larissa Ione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larissa-ione/) > [“By the time Marlboro Man walked in the door, I was stirring in the canned kidney beans and minutes away from throwing up. “Mmmm…smells…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/by-the-time-marlboro-man-walked-in-the-door-i-was-stirring-in-the/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [“Ana nibbled her bottom lip. She suspected he was fishing for another kiss, but if it was a dream, what did it matter what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-savage/ana-nibbled-her-bottom-lip-she-suspected-he-was-fishing-for-another/) [Vivienne Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-savage/) > [“Bay caressed his smooth cheek. “You shaved. It feels soft.” He caught her hand and kissed her palm. “Go,” he said, opening the bathroom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-johnston/bay-caressed-his-smooth-cheek-you-shaved-it-feels-soft-he-caught-her/) [Joan Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-johnston/) > [I think I was fortunate that even in the children's home I had a boyfriend. How important it was, as an orphan at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-think-i-was-fortunate-that-even-in-the-children-s-home-i-had-a/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [“I closed my eyes and leaned back into his body; his fingers kneaded my hips, caressed my stomach. God, it felt good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/i-closed-my-eyes-and-leaned-back-into-his-body-his-fingers-kneaded-my/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [“You’re cute when you're mad." He caressed my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. I huffed in exasperation. "Is that why you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriane-leigh/you-re-cute-when-you-re-mad-he-caressed-my-bottom-lip-with-the-pad-of/) [Adriane Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriane-leigh/) > [There are some women who should barely be spoken to; they should only be caressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/there-are-some-women-who-should-barely-be-spoken-to-they-should-only/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Your kiss touched my soul and made me come alive. Your touch caressed my body while your words stimulated my mind. And your eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-kiss-touched-my-soul-and-made-me-come-alive-your-touch-caressed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He took her hand in his, caressed her palm with his finger.“Duin an doras,” he whispered hoarsely, feverishly.“Fuirichidh mise.” Close the door. I’ll stay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-london/he-took-her-hand-in-his-caressed-her-palm-with-his-finger-duin-an/) [Julia London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-london/) ## More by Katherine Allred > [“That was also the year I discovered Boys. Or maybe I should say they discovered me. By then I knew what they wanted and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/that-was-also-the-year-i-discovered-boys-or-maybe-i-should-say-they/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“To my surprise, Nick reached under his shirt and pulled out the half-heart pendant. With his gaze fixed on mine, he slid the chain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/to-my-surprise-nick-reached-under-his-shirt-and-pulled-out-the-half/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“He always was someone. Because the core of the sweet gum tree never changes. Like Nick, the deep red wood stays true to its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/he-always-was-someone-because-the-core-of-the-sweet-gum-tree-never/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“Do you want to know the real reason I came back, Alix?” It was because of you. You’re my roots. Wherever you are would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/do-you-want-to-know-the-real-reason-i-came-back-alix-it-was-because/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“Life isn't kind, and we rarely get what we want out of it. We do the best we can, and we keep putting one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/life-isn-t-kind-and-we-rarely-get-what-we-want-out-of-it-we-do-the/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“God, I can’t lose you again.” His whisper was harsh, filled with pain. “Not now, when I’ve waited so long to hold you. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/god-i-can-t-lose-you-again-his-whisper-was-harsh-filled-with-pain-not/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“There's a part of everyone that needs to be taken care of. Denying it exists doesn't change the truth, it only makes you very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/there-s-a-part-of-everyone-that-needs-to-be-taken-care-of-denying-it/) [Katherine allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“You don’t have to be scared anymore, Abby. We’ll figure something out, I promise. We’re in this together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/you-don-t-have-to-be-scared-anymore-abby-we-ll-figure-something-out-i/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“You haven't stopped smiling since you came in." "You want me to yell?" "No, no," Buddy hastily assured him. "You just keep right on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/you-haven-t-stopped-smiling-since-you-came-in-you-want-me-to-yell-no/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“The idea of him making love to anyone else sent a shaft of pain straight through my middle. “You better wait on me, damn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/the-idea-of-him-making-love-to-anyone-else-sent-a-shaft-of-pain/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“...while I was vowing to save Nick, he had taken on the job of being my protector and staunchest defender”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/while-i-was-vowing-to-save-nick-he-had-taken-on-the-job-of-being-my/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“But there are more kinds of hurt than physical ones, hurts that run ever deeper and leave bigger scars, and not even Nick could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/but-there-are-more-kinds-of-hurt-than-physical-ones-hurts-that-run/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“I’m sorry, Nick,” I whispered, slipping his pendant from my neck. “I didn’t know what else to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/i-m-sorry-nick-i-whispered-slipping-his-pendant-from-my-neck-i-didn-t/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“Nick? Have you ever…” ”No.” He lifted his head again, studied me. “I’ve thought about it, but it never seemed right.” The idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/nick-have-you-ever-no-he-lifted-his-head-again-studied-me-i-ve/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“I love you”, he whispered. “You’ll have the words every day for the rest of our lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/i-love-you-he-whispered-you-ll-have-the-words-every-day-for-the-rest/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) [Explore all 40 Katherine Allred quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the books. “Because books are made to be read,” I told him. “And you like to read.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Katherine Allred" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands-caressed-the-books-because/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands-caressed-the-books-because/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/897/katherine-allred-16259_books_why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands_788335.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the books. “Because books are made to be read,” I told…” — Katherine Allred", "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": "Katherine Allred", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Why are you doing this?” One...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands-caressed-the-books-because/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/why-are-you-doing-this-one-of-his-hands-caressed-the-books-because/#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 } } ] } ```