Madeline Martin > Quotes

“Reading is...” His brows knit together and then his forehead smoothed as the right words appeared to dawn on him. “It’s going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It’s living a life you weren’t born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else’s perspective. It’s learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed.” He hesitated. “I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“It's going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It's living a life you weren't born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else's perspective. It's learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed...I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“It is through books that we can find the greatest hope, he had”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Deeper still was the profound understanding for mankind as she lived in the minds of the characters. Over time, she had found such perspectives made her a more patient person, more accepting of others. If everyone had such an appreciation for their fellow man, perhaps things such as war would not exist.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“The spine, not yet stretched, creaked open, like an ancient door preparing to unveil a secret world.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“There was a special scent to paper and ink, indescribable and unknown to anyone but a true reader. She brought the book to her face, closed her eyes and breathed in that wonderful smell.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Ugliness in a person was not born, but created.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“You can’t save the world, but keep trying in any small way you can.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Never apologize for feeling.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“No one told her finishing the book would leave her so bereft. It was as though she’d said goodbye for the last time to a close friend.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Perhaps that is the draw of books.” James put his hand over hers. “To show us the way even when we think the path is too dark to see.”
― Madeline Martin, The Librarian Spy

“Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. And a reminder that we always have hope.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“There was nothing more glorious in all the world than a moment of silence in which to read those final satisfying pages of a good book.”
― Madeline Martin, The Secret Book Society

“Sometimes the things we hold inside of us need to be let out. No matter where you are or who you’re speaking with.”
― Madeline Martin, The Librarian Spy

“She needed this. For the comfort, for the love, for all the glorious things she did not deserve and yet could not stop herself from wanting.”
― Madeline Martin, Deception of a Highlander

“I think we all hope to be so valiant and pray we never have to find out.”
― Madeline Martin, The Librarian Spy

“You can’t save the world, but keep trying in any small way you can.” His mouth lifted at the corners in an almost embarrassed smile. “Such as an old man collecting battered and singed books to keep voices alive.” He set his age-spotted hand on hers, its warmth comforting. “Or finding a story to help a young mother forget her pain.” He removed his hand and straightened. “It doesn’t matter how you fight, but that you never, never stop.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“It is through books that we can find the greatest hope,”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Good books were like amazing sunsets or awe-inspiring landscapes, better enjoyed with someone else. There was no greater experience in the world than sharing the love of a book, discussing its finer points, and reliving the story all over again.”
― Madeline Martin, The Keeper of Hidden Books

“Reading is..." His brows knit together and then his forehead smoothed as the right words appeared to dawn on him. "It's going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It's living a life you weren't born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else's perspective. It's learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed." He hesitated. "I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“There are many voices Hitler would quiet, especially those who are Jewish.” Mr. Evans slid the new book reverently beside the others. “It is the duty of the rest of the world to ensure they will never be silenced.” He tapped a yellow spine with Almansor in gilt at its top. “‘Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well.’ Heinrich Heine isn’t Jewish, but his ideals go against what Hitler believes.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“It doesn’t matter how you fight, but that you never, never stop.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Books inspired free thought and empathy, an overall understanding and acceptance of everyone. In the pages of books that were burned and banned and ripped apart for pulping, Zofia had found herself. These were the parts of her that were human and strong and loving, parts that understood lives she had never led.”
― Madeline Martin, The Keeper of Hidden Books

“...his mistreatment had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with him.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“But it was true how anger could be used to mask hurt, especially when hurt was such a very vulnerable emotion.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“But as much as she loved reading the story, no one had prepared her for the end being so bittersweet. No one told her finishing the book would leave her so bereft. It was as though she’d said goodbye for the last time to a close friend.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London

“Word by word, page by page, she was pulled deeper into a place she had never expected and walked in the footsteps of a person she'd never been. (p. 107)”
― Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London