The Book of Idle Pleasures Quotes

“The word hammockable (describing two trees that are the perfect distance apart between which a hammock can be hung) is not in the dictionary, but it should be. [Of lying in hammocks]”
― Dan Kieran, The Book of Idle Pleasures

“Feeling the Wind in Your Hair

The peak of the cliff sits tantalizingly close. Your hands rest on your knees as you gasp, willing more oxygen into your lungs. You look back with pride down the way you've come. Just a little farther and you'll be there. Your energy now partially restored, you step on and on. The light wind lifts the closer you get to the peak. A plateau soon falls away abruptly down to the sea, and the sweeping air collects and whips into your face. The view is sublime but the payoff comes as you stand--arms stretched wide in triumph--with your eyes closed as the raging wind buffets your face. This wind, collected and grown above oceans, flitting and crashing its way across the waves, finally reaches the shore and clasps itself around you in a fleeting embrace. The crack of its passing meets your ears and slowly it absorbs you--a streaming current of air caressing your rejoicing face.”
― Dan Kieran, The Book of Idle Pleasures

“Manchmal muss man reden, um herauszufinden, was man denkt.”
― Dan Kieran, The Book of Idle Pleasures

“[On philosophizing] Sometimes you have to talk to find out what you think.”
― Dan Kieran, The Book of Idle Pleasures