--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've given up reading books. I find it…" description: "\"I've given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off myself.\" — Oscar Levant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/457/oscar-levant-11056_books_i-ve-given-up-reading-books-i-find-it-ta_1997739.png" --- # I've given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off… ![“I've given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off myself.” quote by Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/457/oscar-levant-11056_books_i-ve-given-up-reading-books-i-find-it-ta_1997739.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/457/oscar-levant-11056_books_i-ve-given-up-reading-books-i-find-it-ta_1997739.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/457/oscar-levant-11056_books_i-ve-given-up-reading-books-i-find-it-ta_1997739.png) > “I've given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off myself.” [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading books can serve as escapism, diverting attention from self‑reflection. **In simple terms:** Books can be a mental distraction. Key Takeaway Use reading mindfully, not just to avoid self. Themes literature escapism self‑awareness Mood contemplative introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stress relief - personal development - mental health - creative inspiration Key Concepts cognitive distraction mindful reading Questions to Reflect On - Why do you seek distraction? - What could you learn from self‑reflection? A Different Perspective Escapism can prevent confronting important issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Reading books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-books/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [I've given up reading the papers. Since the world's so obviously bent on killing itself, I decided months ago to sit back and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/i-ve-given-up-reading-the-papers-since-the-world-s-so-obviously-bent/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [“Does anybody else find it annoying when you put a hold on like 5 books but it takes like a month for all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ling/does-anybody-else-find-it-annoying-when-you-put-a-hold-on-like-5/) Ling > [“Many people read History books but it takes just a few people to LEAD the cause that will shape the course of HISTORY.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/many-people-read-history-books-but-it-takes-just-a-few-people-to-lead/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [I read in a weird way. It comes in waves, and then I start, like, five different books at once. It takes me six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/i-read-in-a-weird-way-it-comes-in-waves-and-then-i-start-like-five/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [It takes your mind off things when there's a cat in your lip and he's purring while you're petting him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/it-takes-your-mind-off-things-when-there-s-a-cat-in-your-lip-and-he-s/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [“Books because are the vehicle that takes my mind to places and times my body can't go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-michael/books-because-are-the-vehicle-that-takes-my-mind-to-places-and-times/) [Jeffrey Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-michael/) > [When the heart takes over,the mind can't do a thing!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-the-heart-takes-over-the-mind-can-t-do-a-thing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm reading more than ever. I used to find it tedious, but now it's like my little friend - it takes my mind off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-piper/i-m-reading-more-than-ever-i-used-to-find-it-tedious-but-now-it-s/) [Billie Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-piper/) > [“There are some things she doesn't like to think about because thinking about them takes up every part of her mind and body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alden-bell/there-are-some-things-she-doesn-t-like-to-think-about-because/) [Alden Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alden-bell/) > [A general and a bit of shooting makes you forget your troubles ... it takes your mind off the cost of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/a-general-and-a-bit-of-shooting-makes-you-forget-your-troubles-it/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [Style makes you feel great because it takes your mind off the fact that you're going to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-mizrahi/style-makes-you-feel-great-because-it-takes-your-mind-off-the-fact/) [Isaac Mizrahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-mizrahi/) > [Fortunately, all it takes for us to be of one mind is some buttercream frosting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/fortunately-all-it-takes-for-us-to-be-of-one-mind-is-some-buttercream/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [It takes more than some mind games, a couple of parlor tricks, to get under my skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/triple-h/it-takes-more-than-some-mind-games-a-couple-of-parlor-tricks-to-get/) [Triple H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/triple-h/) > [It takes a mind to win a game . but it takes a heart to enjoy it ..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaypee/it-takes-a-mind-to-win-a-game-but-it-takes-a-heart-to-enjoy-it/) [Jaypee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaypee/) > [I think one reason people play golf is it allows them to obsess about something other than the daily crap. It takes your mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-black/i-think-one-reason-people-play-golf-is-it-allows-them-to-obsess-about/) [Lewis Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-black/) ## More by Oscar Levant > [Now that Marilyn Monroe is kosher, Arthur Miller can eat her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/now-that-marilyn-monroe-is-kosher-arthur-miller-can-eat-her/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [So little time and so little to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/so-little-time-and-so-little-to-do/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [In some situations I was difficult, in odd moments impossible, in rare moments loathsome, but at my best unapproachably great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/in-some-situations-i-was-difficult-in-odd-moments-impossible-in-rare/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [Strip away the phony tinsel of Hollywood and you'll find the real tinsel underneath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/strip-away-the-phony-tinsel-of-hollywood-and-you-ll-find-the-real/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [I have no trouble with y enemies. But my god damn friends... they are the ones that keep me walking the floors at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/i-have-no-trouble-with-y-enemies-but-my-god-damn-friends-they-are-the/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/happiness-isn-t-something-you-experience-it-s-something-you-remember/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [So little time, so little to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/so-little-time-so-little-to-do/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [I'm controversial. My friends either dislike me or hate me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/i-m-controversial-my-friends-either-dislike-me-or-hate-me/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [Once he makes up his mind, he's full of indecision. - On Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/once-he-makes-up-his-mind-he-s-full-of-indecision-on-dwight-d/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [A pun is the lowest form of humor—when you don't think of it first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/a-pun-is-the-lowest-form-of-humor-when-you-don-t-think-of-it-first/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue-i-m-schizophrenic-and-so-am-i/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [I can remember Doris Day before she was a virgin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/i-can-remember-doris-day-before-she-was-a-virgin/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [I never read bad reviews about myself, because my friends invariably tell me about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/i-never-read-bad-reviews-about-myself-because-my-friends-invariably/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [A politician is a man who will double cross that bridge when he comes to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/a-politician-is-a-man-who-will-double-cross-that-bridge-when-he-comes/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) > [The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-levant/the-only-difference-between-the-democrats-and-the-republicans-is-that/) [Oscar Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) [Explore all 62 Oscar Levant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-levant/) ## 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": "I've given up reading books. 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