Best selling authors are always worth listening to, even if you choose to ignore their advice. Michael Dirda More Quotes by Michael Dirda More Quotes From Michael Dirda The goal of a just society should be to provide satisfying work with a living wage to all its citizens. Michael Dirda just living society work In my younger days, I used to visit record shops and covet boxed sets of Beethoven symphonies, Wagner operas, Bach cantatas, Mozart piano concertos. Only rarely was I able to find the money for such luxuries. Michael Dirda days find only money Since I make my living as a literary journalist, not a book scout, I spend inordinate amounts of time either reading or writing. Michael Dirda reading writing time book I love the look of books published by the firm of Rupert Hart-Davis: They strike me as handsome, elegant, and inviting. I'll pick up almost anything with that imprint, especially if it's in a jacket or priced low. Michael Dirda look me handsome love I don't think of myself as a critic at all. I'm a reviewer and essayist. I mainly hope to share with others my pleasure in the books and authors I write about, though sometimes I do need to cavil and point out shortcomings. Michael Dirda myself think hope sometimes Adventurous reading allows one to escape a little from the provincialities of one's home culture and the blinders of one's narrow self. Michael Dirda reading self home culture