Books quietly offer friendship when you feel lonely, clarity when confused, and peace when troubled. Each book holds someone's living thoughts, preserved across time, and opening its pages is like entering a private conversation, just you and the author.
From E. B. White:
Books hold most of the secrets of the world, most of the thoughts that men and women have had. And when you are reading a book, you and the author are alone together—just the two of you. A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort.
A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people—people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.
I sometimes felt comforted by simply entering a bookstore. Each book holds someone's living thoughts, and opening its pages is like entering a private conversation, just you and the author spending time together.
In sadness, you find understanding. In confusion, you find clarity. A place with books thus becomes a quiet sanctuary where human experiences are shared, loneliness is healed, and comfort gently waits between each page.
I'm wondering if AI will offer these functions and replace books. Emotionally, I hope not. However, in reality, AI is improving in terms of understanding human emotion and offering clarity. It's oftentimes more welcoming and warmer than many books.