“A book is like a key that fits into the tumbler of the soul. The two parts have to match in order for each to unlock. Then—click—a world opens.”
Brad Kessler, Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese
Apart from the fact that the title of this book is so great, and the book itself seems lovely, it seemed to me that this short but sweet quote captured in many ways, what books mean for people. I have truly enjoyed reading every comment on my previous post as people have shared why books matter, and I guess in a way, why we celebrate books.
Books and the reader do need to be a match. It could be the perfect match of being in harmony, synchronicity and feeling as if your thoughts and understanding are being reflected brilliantly. So much so that you nod in agreement and are sure they are writing about you.
Or the match could be that the book's time is right. That you are reading something you didn't know or understand, and possibly couldn't have understood until just now.
These are the books that stand out in my memory. The ones that made me feel as if I belonged, or the ones that showed me a new path that I needed to discover or needed to learn about. Books that didn't move me or challenge me are often swept aside from my memory bank.
How perfect is that description of a key and a tumbler "then - click - a world opens"?
Brad Kessler, Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese
Apart from the fact that the title of this book is so great, and the book itself seems lovely, it seemed to me that this short but sweet quote captured in many ways, what books mean for people. I have truly enjoyed reading every comment on my previous post as people have shared why books matter, and I guess in a way, why we celebrate books.
Books and the reader do need to be a match. It could be the perfect match of being in harmony, synchronicity and feeling as if your thoughts and understanding are being reflected brilliantly. So much so that you nod in agreement and are sure they are writing about you.
Or the match could be that the book's time is right. That you are reading something you didn't know or understand, and possibly couldn't have understood until just now.
These are the books that stand out in my memory. The ones that made me feel as if I belonged, or the ones that showed me a new path that I needed to discover or needed to learn about. Books that didn't move me or challenge me are often swept aside from my memory bank.
How perfect is that description of a key and a tumbler "then - click - a world opens"?
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Keys |
Perfection...both the quote and those delicious rusty keys. Wonder what kind of marks they'd make?
ReplyDeleteHi J - I loved this quote. And the keys - I hadn't thought to rust them with tea until now...another adventure to embark upon!
DeleteI love the world that a book opens for me. I still visit many of them from time to time. Thanks Fiona.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leslie - yes books are so giving like that aren't they? So many offerings, and often just the right one for you at the right time.
DeleteNow that is a title that really does grab me! (There was a time, long ago, when I started collecting keys.I gave up when I was moving around so much.But I still like old keys.)
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous isn't it Di? I still love old keys too - always go looking for them in second hand shops; no idea why...
DeleteThese words resonate with me Fiona. I think I must have missed a post so need to go backwards and see what others think about books. I was reading whilst waiting in the dentist this morning and missed my first call as I was so engrossed. The dental assistant politely asked me what I was reading and when I told her it was letters from one poet to another (Edward Thomas to Walter de la Mare) she looked non plussed. You could tell she was thinking 'why would anyone want to do that?' but I am loving them, definitely food for my soul!
ReplyDeleteOh Lesley - I laughed at your dentist experience as you described it so well, and I could just see the assistant's face and the uncertain querying upon it! I love that books can take you so far away from your surroundings; that you are so engrossed so many things slip by...
DeleteI am a big book lover.. no eReader or Tablet for me.. I want the book in my hands. I am always looking for a book to acquire. My tastes have changed over the years.. I have my all time favorites but I have new interests too.. so lock and key is apt.
ReplyDeleteHello Donna - books are just the best aren't they? It's fun to reflect on the changes in our book buying and reading habits; they tell our story in a different way don' they?
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