The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

but liking books was something she left to other people. It was a hobby and it was in the nature of her job that she didn’t have hobbies.

Hobbies involved preferences and preferences had to be avoided;

What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren’t long enough for the reading she wanted to do.

‘Of course,’ said the Queen, ‘but briefing is not reading. In fact it is the antithesis of reading. Briefing is terse, factual and to the point. Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting. Briefing closes down a subject, reading opens it up.’