---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My stepfather introduced me to The London…"
description: "\"My stepfather introduced me to The London Library when I was about 18; the clientele has definitely changed since then, but it is still a wonderful oas..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg"
---

#  My stepfather introduced me to The London Library when I…

![“My stepfather introduced me to The London Library when I was about 18; the clientele has definitely changed since then, but it is still a wonderful oasis in the middle of London.” quote by Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg)

> “My stepfather introduced me to The London Library when I was about 18; the clientele has definitely changed since then, but it is still a wonderful oasis in the middle of London.”

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

She reflects on the library’s evolution, noting its enduring value as a cultural sanctuary despite changing patrons.

**In simple terms:** The library remains a valuable oasis despite changes.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate and support lasting cultural institutions.

Themes

culture community literature

Mood

nostalgic appreciative

Type

reflective inspirational

When to use this quote

- research
- reading
- quiet study
- community events

Key Concepts

urban oasis public space historical continuity

Questions to Reflect On

- How can libraries stay relevant?
- What role do they play in modern cities?

A Different Perspective

Changing demographics may affect funding and relevance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Library](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/library/) [London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) [Oasis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oasis/) [Stepfather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stepfather/) [Stepfathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stepfathers/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/)

## Related quotes

> [I grew up with my stepfather in Brighton, but I did spend a lot of time with my natural father, and I was loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-grew-up-with-my-stepfather-in-brighton-but-i-did-spend-a-lot-of/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I work three days at home, and two days in the British Library or the London Library, just to get out of the house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/i-work-three-days-at-home-and-two-days-in-the-british-library-or-the/)

[David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/)

> [If I'm researching something strange and rococo, I'll go to the London Library or the British Library and look it up in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schott/if-i-m-researching-something-strange-and-rococo-i-ll-go-to-the-london/)

[Ben Schott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schott/)

> [“When I first came to London I became a Life Member of the London Library. London life was costly, but I felt that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ellen-harrison/when-i-first-came-to-london-i-became-a-life-member-of-the-london/)

[Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/)

> [I am a member of the London Library, and on almost every single job I do, there is some benefit to be had in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-stoppard/i-am-a-member-of-the-london-library-and-on-almost-every-single-job-i/)

[Ed Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-stoppard/)

> [The London Library in Piccadilly is the best place for a sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-winkleman/the-london-library-in-piccadilly-is-the-best-place-for-a-sleep/)

[Sophie Winkleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-winkleman/)

> [The thing is that I am a member of that sad, ever-dwindling minority... the child of an unbroken home. I have carried this albatross…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/the-thing-is-that-i-am-a-member-of-that-sad-ever-dwindling-minority/)

[Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/)

> [My stepfather, John O'Hara, was the goodest man there was. He was not a man of many words, but of carefully chosen ones. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/my-stepfather-john-o-hara-was-the-goodest-man-there-was-he-was-not-a/)

[Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/)

> [One way and another I was having a ball - playing gigs, jamming and listening to fine musicians. Then came a crisis at home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lou-williams/one-way-and-another-i-was-having-a-ball-playing-gigs-jamming-and/)

[Mary Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lou-williams/)

> [My mother was a classical pianist and my stepfather was an industrialist who was passionate about composing contemporary music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-bruni/my-mother-was-a-classical-pianist-and-my-stepfather-was-an/)

[Carla Bruni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-bruni/)

> [I want to congratulate all the men out there who are working diligently to be good fathers whether they are stepfathers, or biological fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/i-want-to-congratulate-all-the-men-out-there-who-are-working/)

[T. D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes/)

> [As a child I had dealt with a lot of loss and grief. I was constantly losing my parents, losing my home, constantly moving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-gray/as-a-child-i-had-dealt-with-a-lot-of-loss-and-grief-i-was-constantly/)

[Erin Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-gray/)

> [I think how strict my mother's home could be with my mom and my stepfather, there was a fluidity and freedom in my dad's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-think-how-strict-my-mother-s-home-could-be-with-my-mom-and-my/)

[Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/)

> [If you look up 'Intelligence' in the new volumes of the Encyclopeadia Britannica, you'll find it classified under the following three heads: Intelligence, Human;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/if-you-look-up-intelligence-in-the-new-volumes-of-the-encyclopeadia/)

[Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/)

> [We got latched together and I was hoping you could separate us? (Amanda) They were made by your stepfather. Any chance you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/we-got-latched-together-and-i-was-hoping-you-could-separate-us-amanda/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

## More by Natascha McElhone

> [I have wanted to act since I was three and that is what I hunger for. I want to play roles that are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-have-wanted-to-act-since-i-was-three-and-that-is-what-i-hunger-for/)

[Natascha Mcelhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [If someone approaches me in the street, I'm on the defensive. Some actors are like flowers basking in the sun, they love the attention,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/if-someone-approaches-me-in-the-street-i-m-on-the-defensive-some/)

[Natascha Mcelhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [Scribbling things down is my therapy. I filter later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/scribbling-things-down-is-my-therapy-i-filter-later/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I always think I love work, and I knew early on that I wanted to be an actress. Then I meet people who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-always-think-i-love-work-and-i-knew-early-on-that-i-wanted-to-be-an/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I first met my husband when I was 15. He was very cool, in a band, all that kind of thing, but he took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-first-met-my-husband-when-i-was-15-he-was-very-cool-in-a-band-all/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I was brought up by a Marxist rationalist stepfather, so I don't believe in the supernatural or religion or horoscopes, and the absolute nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-was-brought-up-by-a-marxist-rationalist-stepfather-so-i-don-t/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I think the difference between finding happiness, or moments of happiness, is how you choose to interpret things. That's a rather shocking responsibility. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-think-the-difference-between-finding-happiness-or-moments-of/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [Growing up, I wasn't allowed dolls, and my brothers weren't allowed guns. I inherited my brothers' clothes. I was never dressed in pink, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/growing-up-i-wasn-t-allowed-dolls-and-my-brothers-weren-t-allowed/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [Mum left school at 15, and after a few years of modelling and dating jazz musicians, was married by 21 to my father, Mike…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/mum-left-school-at-15-and-after-a-few-years-of-modelling-and-dating/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [When I first met him, I was dating his flatmate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/when-i-first-met-him-i-was-dating-his-flatmate/)

[Natascha Mcelhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [Living with very limited expectations is a much more immediate way of living. You really do just make the best of everything you have.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/living-with-very-limited-expectations-is-a-much-more-immediate-way-of/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I play Nitin Sawhney's 'Letting Go' repeatedly, nonstop. I find it transformative. I'm so glad iPods were invented so I didn't have to drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-play-nitin-sawhney-s-letting-go-repeatedly-nonstop-i-find-it/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [When you've taken time off to have a baby and you've become all nesty, you're desperate to get back out there, as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/when-you-ve-taken-time-off-to-have-a-baby-and-you-ve-become-all-nesty/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [I feel awful for women who are trying to raise kids on their own, with zero income and no fathers present - that's single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/i-feel-awful-for-women-who-are-trying-to-raise-kids-on-their-own-with/)

[Natascha McElhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

> [Imagine you fall in love. It feels fabulous. Then every day you have to complete a questionnaire about it. 'What kind of love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/imagine-you-fall-in-love-it-feels-fabulous-then-every-day-you-have-to/)

[Natascha Mcelhone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

[Explore all 38 Natascha McElhone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/)

## More About quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/)

[Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/)

[Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/)

> [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/)

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

> [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/)

[Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/)

> [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/)

[Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/)

[Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/)

> [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/)

[Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/)

> [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/)

[Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/)

> [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

> [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

Browse all 26,122 About quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "My stepfather introduced me to The London Library when I was about 18; the clientele has definitely changed since then, but it is still a wonderful oasis in the middle of London.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Natascha McElhone"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-london-library-when-i-was-about-18/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "About"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-london-library-when-i-was-about-18/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/natascha-mcelhone-17155_about_my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-londo_1446201.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“My stepfather introduced me to The London Library when I was about 18; the clientele has definitely changed…” — Natascha McElhone",
                "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": "Natascha McElhone",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-mcelhone/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "My stepfather introduced me to The...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-london-library-when-i-was-about-18/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-mcelhone/my-stepfather-introduced-me-to-the-london-library-when-i-was-about-18/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
