The importance of books (Lamott)

April 15th, 2007  |  Published in Books & Reading, Literature, Quotes  |  6 Comments

For some of us, books are important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. They are full of all the things that you don’t get in real life—wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. And quality of attention: we may notice amazing details during the course of a day but we rarely let ourselves stop and pay attention. An author makes you notice, makes you pay attention, and this is a great gift. My gratitude for good writing is unbounded…

–Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (1994), 15.

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  1. John says:

    April 16th, 2007 at 12:40 am (#)

    I’ve read a large portion of Bird by Bird; it’s insightful, witty, and, at times, downright inspirational. Lamott has the rare and precious ability to put a pen in the hand, spectacles over the eyes, and patience in the feet.

  2. Naveen says:

    November 10th, 2008 at 11:51 am (#)

    Amazing quote…………………… instigates reading…………………. lets give it up to lamott

  3. Taylor Cox says:

    February 20th, 2009 at 3:22 pm (#)

    I think books are very important because it opens our imagination and helps us take our minds off of the everyday issues that we go through. Books can fill our minds with adventures that leave us wondering what could happen if… Instead of wondering about the stuff either irrevelant or very overwhelming. I have to say the invetion of words and the people who were creative enough to make books (in any form) should be reconized and described as a true inventor.

  4. charles says:

    October 29th, 2009 at 8:18 am (#)

    Indeed the impontance of books can not be over emphasised and one wonders what the world would be like without books.

  5. shubham says:

    March 17th, 2010 at 1:02 am (#)

    This is my personal experience and belief that books, like human beings, are our best companions. The only important difference that I could find between the people and the books is that people need air, water and food for their survival whereas books can survive without them. There is another very minor difference, that people can talk while books can be read. For me its not a considerable diferrence because listenung and reading are equally good means of communication.After a long association with the books, I have realized that sometimes books are more human than the people. For example, they are more dependable than the people. They are always available when you need their company.
    Books have been around for centuries In this day and age reading instruction is available to virtually everyone. We have only to take advantage of it. I do not know who invented the book but I would like to thank that person. The importance of books and reading cannot be underestimated.
    I have always loved to read. I loved to spend time at the library browsing books and I loved it when the bookmobile would come around in the summer.
    Books are not only a way of passing time but of immersing yourself in a story. Getting to know characters and guessing about the plot are part of the experience. Reading can transport you to different countries and cultures, or it can take you on a great adventure.

  6. shlesh kumar says:

    September 2nd, 2010 at 6:03 am (#)

    i alsoo bookes reading . bkz it is IMP of our life

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