In Praise of Books


By Paulette Beete
That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet. Jhumpa Lahiri
It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive. James Baldwin
Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home. Anna Quindlen
 People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book. Malcolm X
Books have a unique way of stopping time in a particular moment and saying: Let’s not forget this. Dave Eggers
A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe. Madeleine L’Engle
Whether you're looking for fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry, check out the NEA Big Read library to find your next favorite book.