The books we think we ought to read are poky, dull, and dry; The books that we would like to read we are ashamed to buy; The books that people talk about we never can recall; And the books that people give us, oh, they're the worst of all.

Summary

This quote humorously highlights the paradoxical nature of our reading preferences. It suggests that books we feel obligated to read are often uninteresting, while the ones we genuinely desire might be deemed embarrassing. Additionally, it remarks on the common phenomenon of forgetting popular books that are frequently discussed. Lastly, it playfully criticizes the quality of books people gift us, implying that they tend to be disappointing. Overall, the quote captures the struggle of finding books that align with our personal interests while navigating societal expectations and recommendations.

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