“She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.” ~Annie Dillard
All of us at Page Petal agree that reading isn’t just something we do; it’s a part of who we are. But it can be a challenge to put our love for books and the wondrous magic of reading into words. Which is why we cherish quotes about reading that not only capture our passion for books, but also bond us to fellow book lovers.
If you're looking for a spark of encouragement before you start your next chapter or a reminder of the importance and power of books, these quotes are here to inspire your love for reading. Some are by authors, others by journalists and actors - but all of them are sure to fill up your book-loving soul.✨
26 Reading Quotes to Inspire and Encourage Book Lovers
Reading for Self-Discovery Quotes
1. “Once she knows how to read there’s only one thing you can teach her to believe in and that is herself.” ~Virginia Woolf
2. “She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.” ~Annie Dillard
3. "I read a book one day and my whole life was changed."~ Orhan Pamuk, The New Life
4. “The world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again…” Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
5. “Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we return to books: to find words for what we already know.” ~Alberto Manguel
Reading for Adventure Quotes
6. “Keep reading. It’s one of the most marvelous adventures anyone can have.” ~Lloyd Alexander
7. “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” ~Mason Cooley
8. “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” ~ Jhumpa Lahiri
9. “Reading is a passport to countless adventures.” ~Mary Pope Osborne
10. “Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” ~Anna Quindlen
11. “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” ~Mary Schmich
Reading for Comfort Quotes
12. "I always felt if I can get to a library, I'll be okay." ~Maya Angelou
13. "I like books that aren’t just lovely but that have memories in themselves. Just like playing a song, picking up a book again that has memories can take you back to another place or another time.” ~Emma Watson
14. “Some books are so familiar that reading them is like being home again.” ~ Louisa May Alcott
15. "Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it’s a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it’s a way of making contact with someone else’s imagination after a day that’s all too real." ~Nora Ephron
Reading for Change & Understanding Quotes
16. “The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” ~Rene Descartes
17. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” Margaret Fuller
18. “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." ~Malala Yousafzai
19. “Reading is an act of civilization; it’s one of the greatest acts of civilization because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds castles of possibilities.” ~Ben Okri
20. “Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” ~Malorie Blackman
21. "Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere. ~Jean Rhys
Reading for Fun & Joy Quotes
22. “That’s what books are for… the perfect excuse to do nothing and make no decisions.” ~Katarina Bivald, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
23. “A book is a dream you hold in your hands.” ~Neil Gaiman
24. “Books are uniquely portable magic.” ~Stephen King
25. "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
26. “Because reading is one of the joys of life, and once you begin, you can't stop, and you've got so many stories to look forward to.” ~Benedict Cumberbatch
Ready to curl up with a book now? We thought so! And don't forget your flower-pressed Page Petal bookmark to mark your place as you go! :)