Quote by Calvin Trillin
The shelf life of the average trade book is somewhere between milk and yogurt.
Summary
This quote humorously suggests that the longevity of a trade book (a book intended for general readership) is relatively short. It implies that while milk and yogurt both have expiration dates and won't stay fresh for too long, trade books also have a limited appeal or relevance over time. The quote may be a playful way of highlighting how trends and interests in literature change quickly, and suggests that trade books may lose their popularity relatively quickly.