I work it out. It is the act of reading itself I miss, the opportunity to retreat further and further from the wold until I have found some space, some air that isn't stale, that hasn't been breathed by my family a thousand times already.
The quote expresses a deep yearning for the solitude and escape that reading provides. It highlights the pleasure of getting lost in books, which offers a chance to disconnect from familiar surroundings and the constant presence of family. The act of reading allows one to create a personal space, filled with fresh perspectives and ideas, distinct from the everyday life that can feel overwhelming or stale.
The author, Nick Hornby, captures...