I am very grateful to the electronic world for making my life easier, but there is something about holding a book - the smell and the world of association. Even when e-books are perfected, as they surely will be, it will be like being in bed with a very well-made robot rather than a warm, soft, human being whom you love.

In my view, nineteen pounds of old books are at least nineteen times as delicious as one pound of fresh caviar.

It has long been my belief that everyone's library contains an Odd Shelf. On this shelf rests a small, mysterious completely unrelated to the rest of the library, yet which, upon closer inspection, reveals a good deal about its owner.

Reading aloud means no skipping, no skimming, no cutting to the chase.

Our view of reality is only a view, not reality itself.

If the soul cannot find its jacket. it is condemned to an eternity of wandering--naked and alone

My brother and I were able to fantasize far more extravagantly about our parents' tastes and desires, their aspirations and their vices, by scanning their bookcases than by snooping in their closest. Their selves were on their shelves.