Alcoholism Quote by Roy Blount Jr
““When it's summer, people sit a lot. Or lie. Lie in the sense of recumbency. A good heavy book holds you down. It's an anchor that keeps you from getting up and having another gin and tonic. Many a person has been saved from summer alcoholism, not to mention hypertoxicity, by Dostoyevsky. Put The Idiot in your lap or over your face, and you know where you are going to be for the afternoon.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, “Summer Reading” by Roy Blount Jr, 1975
Summer encourages idleness; a dense book can anchor you, preventing excess drinking and aimlessness.
In simple terms: A heavy book keeps you still and sober in summer.
Key Takeaway
Read a substantial book to stay grounded.
Themes
leisure
self‑control
literature
Mood
relaxed
reflective
Type
observational
humorous
When to use this quote
- summer afternoons
- personal downtime
- preventing overindulgence
Key Concepts
addiction avoidance
mindful reading
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a book change your summer mood?
- What other habits can anchor you?
A Different Perspective
May not appeal to those who prefer active summer activities.
