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 our tendency to struggle with choosing books. It suggests that the books we feel compelled to read are often uninteresting, while the ones that genuinely interest us become sources of embarrassment. Furthermore, the quote suggests that the books recommended to us by others or received as gifts are often disappointing. Essentially, it conveys the idea that finding the perfect book can be a challenging and elusive task, leaving us feeling unsatisfied with our choices.