The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading

“They understand in their hearts and souls that in the beginning was the word.”

Patterson quotes the Christian Bible to express the depth of his personal conviction in the importance of literacy, with “word” in this case being a synecdoche for written language as a whole. He uses emotive language, “hearts and souls,” to further convey his emotional connection to reading, but he equates this sentiment with “understanding” to also invoke the educational and intellectual aspect of literacy. This use of emotive language and religious references showcases the cultural significance of books and literacy and imbues the act of reading with a quasi-spiritual connotation.

“Everyone says that kids don’t read anymore, which I don’t find to be true. We have so many enthusiastic kids leaving the store with stacks of books. They’re staring at computer screens all day long, so having a physical book in their hands, I think, allows them an escape.”

This quote subverts the common assumption that younger generations don’t read for leisure and claims that technological advances detract from the appeal of books. Instead, the writer explains how the integration of technology into everyday life enhances the escapist qualities of books, making them even more attractive to young people.

“‘A room without books is like a body without a soul.’ That’s the line printed on our new in-store table signs.”

This widely quoted aphorism memorably and concisely communicates the importance of books through use of a simile. The implication is that the presence of books is a prerequisite for a dwelling place to be considered a home, and it creates an association between books and one’s soul, identity, and sense of belonging.