In "A Gentle Madness," Nicholas A. Basbanes explores the intense love and obsession many have for books, describing it as a fervent affliction that can overwhelm one's spirit. This so-called 'book-sickness' highlights the emotional weight that books—and, by extension, the ideas and histories they contain—hold for readers and collectors alike. The author portrays this attachment as a double-edged sword, carrying both the joy of discovery and the burden of overwhelming desire.

Basbanes underscores the paradox of being devoted to a vast collection of books, referring to it as ignominious to be bound to a heavy load of printed material. While these works reflect the thoughts and creativity of those who came before us, they can also turn into a cumbersome liability—not merely for the physical space they occupy but for the emotional strain they impose on one's life. Ultimately, the book reveals the complexities and depths of bibliophilia, revealing both its beauty and its challenges.