One reads books in order to gain the privilege of living more than one life. People who don't read are trapped in a mine shaft, even if they think the sun is shining. Garrison Keillor More Quotes by Garrison Keillor More Quotes From Garrison Keillor Welcome to Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average. Garrison Keillor strong-women parenting children IMPORTANT Book reading is a solitary and sedentary pursuit, and those who do are cautioned that a book should be used as an integral part of a well-rounded life, including a daily regimen of rigorous physical exercise, rewarding personal relationships, and sensible low-fat diet. A book should not be used a as a substitute or an excuse. Garrison Keillor reading exercise book Marrying for sex is like flying to London for the free peanuts and pretzels. It's not the point of the thing, is it? Garrison Keillor london flying sex Pumpkin pie is a living symbol of mediocrity. The best pumpkin pie you ever ate wasn't all that much different from the worst pumpkin pie you ever ate. Garrison Keillor mediocrity pie different You learn this great lesson of life: it's not about me. It's just not. The matter of talent-which seemed so important to you when you were young-is not of great importance. We're simply a conduit. We take things out of the air into us and put them in the form of stories. That's pretty much it. Garrison Keillor life-lesson air art A young writer is easily tempted by the allusive and ethereal and ironic and reflective, but the declarative is at the bottom of most good writing. Garrison Keillor young-writers ironic writing You'd learn more about the world by lying on the couch and drinking gin out of a bottle than by watching the news. Garrison Keillor news drinking lying Vodka is tasteless going down, but it is memorable coming up. Garrison Keillor vodka memorable Sometimes you have to look reality in the eye, and deny it. Garrison Keillor eye time reality The funniest line in English is 'Get it?' When you say that, everyone chortles. Garrison Keillor lines funny Being Lutheran, Mother believed that self-pity is a deadly sin and so is nostalgia, and she had no time for either Garrison Keillor nostalgia self mother I've wanted to be a writer since I was a boy, though it seemed an unlikely outcome since I showed no real talent. But I persevered and eventually found my own row to hoe. Ignorance of other writers' work keeps me from discouragement and I am less well-read than the average bus driver. Garrison Keillor ignorance real writing Librarians, Dusty, possess a vast store of politeness. These are people who get asked regularly the dumbest questions on God's green earth. These people tolerate every kind of crank and eccentric and mouth breather there is. Garrison Keillor eccentric mouths people Powdermilk biscuits: Heavens, theyre tasty and expeditious! Theyre made from whole wheat, to give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done Garrison Keillor giving heaven needs I believe in looking reality straight in the eye and denying it. Garrison Keillor fake-people eye believe You don't have to justify a beautiful stroke of good luck. Accept it. Smile and say thank you. Garrison Keillor good-luck accepting beautiful We English majors...need to promote public libraries as a tool in the war against terror. How many readers of Edith Wharton have engaged in terroristic acts? I challenge you to name one...Do we need to wait until our cities lie in smoking ruins before we wake up to the fact that a first-class public library is a vital link in national defense? Garrison Keillor war book lying Second violins can play a concerto perfectly if they're in their own home and nobody's there. Garrison Keillor music play home A girl in a bikini is like having a loaded pistol on your coffee table - There's nothing wrong with them, but it's hard to stop thinking about it. Garrison Keillor coffee girl thinking You've got work to do. Don't put this off. And don't take the long view, here. You know? Life is today and tomorrow and - and if you're lucky, next week. Garrison Keillor views long next-week
