book collecting is only meaningful if it’s personal,” Oscar clarified. “If it’s just another way of accumulating wealth instead of for the books themselves it isn’t right. Collectors are trying to protect themselves. To separate themselves. It’s a hierarchy.

Remember, a book is always a gift.

He lit his pipe, and the match head in that room of paper and leather flared up like an idea.

A book was like a drawer: one opened it and notions flew out.