Book Quote by Ray Bradbury
“I still love books. Nothing a computer can do can compare to a book. You can't really put a book on the Internet. Three companies have offered to put books by me on the Net, and I said, 'If you can make something that has a nice jacket, nice paper with that nice smell, then we'll talk.' All the computer can give you is a manuscript. People don't want to read manuscripts. They want to read books. Books smell good. They look good. You can press it to your bosom. You can carry it in your pocket.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Writing, 1970s (audio interview)
The author argues that physical books offer sensory experiences and emotional connections that digital formats cannot replicate.
In simple terms: Physical books provide tactile and olfactory pleasures missing online.
Key Takeaway
Value the tangible qualities of books.
Themes
sensory experience
materiality
digital vs analog
Mood
nostalgic
defensive
Type
literary
cultural
When to use this quote
- book collecting
- reading habits
- publishing decisions
Key Concepts
media studies
literary nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- How do sensory elements influence reading comprehension?
- Can digital media ever fully replace the physical book experience?
A Different Perspective
Digital formats can be equally immersive with proper design.
