Books Quote by Nora Roberts
““The room was a compact, informal library. Books stood or were stacked on the shelves that ran along two walls from floor to ceiling, sat on the tables like knickknacks, trooped around the room like soldiers. They struck Malory as more than knowledge or entertainment, even more than stories or information. They were colour and texture, in a haphazard yet somehow intricate decorating scheme. The short leg of the L-shaped room boasted still more books, as well as a small table that held the remains of Dana's breakfast. With her hands on her hips, Dana watched Malory's perusal of her space. She'd seen the reaction before. 'No I haven't read them all, but I will.And no I don't know how many I have. Want coffee?' Let me just ask this. Do you ever actually use the services of the library?' Sure, but I need to own them. If I don't have twenty or thirty books right here, waiting to be read, I start jonesing. That's my compulsion.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Library of Secrets”, 2021
The protagonist sees books as sensory, tactile objects that fulfill a compulsive need to possess and experience them physically.
In simple terms: Books are more than information; they are sensory objects.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the tactile value of reading material.
Themes
literature
sensory experience
compulsion
Mood
introspective
nostalgic
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- library visits
- personal reading habits
- home library design
Key Concepts
material culture
psychology of collecting
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do you feel the need to own books?
- How does this compulsion affect your relationships?
A Different Perspective
Physical ownership may hinder sharing knowledge.
