Book Quote by Simon Reynolds
““(Mind you, according to Walter Benjamin, the twentieth century’s great philosopher of collecting, browsing and what we’d now call vintage shopping, ‘the non-reading of books’ is a defining characteristic of serious bibliomaniacs; he cites Anatole France, who blithely admitted that he’d barely read one-tenth of the books in his library.)””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Walter Benjamin’s ideas, 2015
Serious book lovers often skim, missing deep reading, reflecting a cultural shift toward superficial consumption.
In simple terms: Bibliophiles may skim instead of deep reading.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize deep engagement with texts.
Themes
reading habits
culture
technology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
cultural
observational
When to use this quote
- library work
- academic study
- personal reading practice
- digital media critique
Key Concepts
bibliophilia
information overload
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we favor breadth over depth?
- How can we balance collection and deep reading?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes all collectors are superficial, ignoring nuanced scholarship.
