In addition, after the rituals of evening, including a gentle kiss goodnight, they began to read the books themselves. Percy s thinking was simple. The ability to read, in additional to the gifts of books themselves, is a treasure that keeps giving throughout a person's life. We could by extension infer that a mind that has not been impacted by great books is like a dusty, bare shelf. With all due respect to the human race as a whole, I have found a few books far greater company than some people I've met over the years.
Many great books have a depth and breadth that too many people seem to lack.
For those of us who love books, we don't see them as mere artifacts of paper on a shelf. We come to see some of them as dear friends. I threw myself into my reading chair and gazed around me with pleasure. All my old friends present there in spirit, ready to talk with me any moment when I was in the mood, making no claim upon my attention when I was not. What we learn as a result can position us better for the truly good life we all want to live.