My Commonplace Book

“A book is like a pump. It gives nothing unless first you give to it. You prime a pump with your own water, you work the handle with your own strength. You do this because you expect to get back more than you give . . . eventually.” – Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis.

“Come to the book as you would come to an unexplored land. Come without a map. Explore it and draw your own map.” – Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis.

“There are also books full of great writing that don’t have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story, Bobby. Don’t be like the book-snobs who won’t do that. Read sometimes for the words—the language. Don’t be like the play-it-safers that won’t do that. But when you find a book that has both a good story and good words, treasure that book.” – Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis.