We pick our way down endless library shelves, choosing this or that volume for no discernible reason: because of a cover, a title, a name, because of something someone said or didn’t say, because of hunch, a whim, a mistake, because we think we may find in this book a particular tale or character or detail, because we believe it was written for us, because we believe it was written for everyone except us and we want to find out why we have been excluded, because we want to learn, or laugh, or lose ourselves in oblivion.
– The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel (p. 222)
not sure which I like more…the image or the words!
Glad you like!
Lovely picture and lovely quotation! I have the Manguel book just by me at the moment, for dipping in and out of whilst writing my essay… supposedly instead of going on the internet, oops!
It’s staggering to consider the productivity lost because of the internet, isn’t it? I hope you enjoy the Manguel (I loved it) and good luck with the essay!
Manguel is one of those “books about books” authors that I haven’t read yet and want to get to. I think my library might actually have at least one of his books, so it’s just a matter of time. 🙂 I feel like the woman in the picture (except, not nearly as serene and my nose is redder!) — I’ve been in my chair with my feet up going on four days now. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been sick and I’ve forgotten how to do it. 😉 Ah, but this, too, shall pass!
Thanks for sharing from your archives with us.
Sorry to hear you’re still sick, Susan. Hope you’re back on your feet soon!
A library that stocks Manguel is clearly an enlightened place! I hope when you do track down one of his books you enjoy him as much as I do!
Great quote and a lovely picture (I wish I would look as decorous, lying on the couch with a book) 🙂
Glad you like them!