“There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe for a vast practical joke, though the wit thereof he but dimly discerns, and more than suspects that the joke is at nobody's expense but his own.”
― Moby-Dick; or, the Whale
― Moby-Dick; or, the Whale
“It has made me better loving you... it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter. I used to want a great many things before, and to be angry that I did not have them. Theoretically, I was satisfied. I flattered myself that I had limited my wants. But I was subject to irritation; I used to have morbid sterile hateful fits of hunger, of desire. Now I really am satisfied, because I can’t think of anything better. It’s just as when one has been trying to spell out a book in the twilight, and suddenly the lamp comes in. I had been putting out my eyes over the book of life, and finding nothing to reward me for my pains; but now that I can read it properly I see that it’s a delightful story.”
― The Portrait of a Lady
― The Portrait of a Lady
“I call people rich when they're able to meet the requirements of their imagination.”
― The Portrait of a Lady
― The Portrait of a Lady
“I always want to know the things one shouldn't do."
"So as to do them?" asked her aunt.
"So as to choose," said Isabel”
― The Portrait of a Lady
"So as to do them?" asked her aunt.
"So as to choose," said Isabel”
― The Portrait of a Lady
Our Shared Shelf
— 222858 members
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OUR SHARED SHELF IS CURRENTLY DORMANT AND NOT MANAGED BY EMMA AND HER TEAM. Dear Readers, As part of my work with UN Women, I have started reading ...more
Crazy for Young Adult Books
— 12878 members
— last activity Dec 25, 2025 10:38AM
Buddy Reads: Requests - In Progress - Upcoming A-Z: 2024 Grp Page Count Challenge: 2024 Jan - March Qrtly Challenge: 2023 Series Challenge: 2024 Ge ...more
Around the World in 80 Books
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— last activity 6 hours, 29 min ago
Reading takes you places. Where in the world will your next book take you? If you love world literature, translated works, travel writing, or explorin ...more
Nikki’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Nikki’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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