It's only with mild surprise I find I don't so much read anymore, but rather teeter, wonder, take flight, like Pascal, like Madeline, like Bemelmans, like Lamorisse, like my daughters. Like Robert. Like anyone who has ever started or finished a book, or a love affair, or confused the two, in sweet anticipation of the fall.
In "Paris by the Book," Liam Callanan reflects on his shifting experience with reading. He conveys a sense of surprise at how he's transitioned from reading in a traditional sense to a more dynamic process of exploration and imagination. The mention of figures like Pascal and his daughters illustrates the varied inspirations and influences that come from both literature and life itself.
The quote encapsulates the exhilarating yet precarious nature of engaging with stories, drawing parallels between reading and the experiences of starting relationships. Callanan emphasizes the emotions intertwined with both literary journeys and personal connections, highlighting the thrill of anticipation that accompanies both endeavors.