Jackson was aware that books were the result of human effort, created by authors dedicating their time to writing. However, he pondered the deeper question of why new books continued to be produced, especially when numerous existing works already filled shelves. Among these were classic titles such as "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Huckleberry Finn," which he had found challenging to engage with due to their dense language and the historical contexts they reflected.

The realization that literature is tied to its time and circumstances only added layers to his contemplation. Even with the rich array of stories already available, the drive to create new narratives remains a constant in human expression. Alice Munro's "Family Furnishings: Selected Stories, 1995-2014" exemplifies this ongoing literary journey, showcasing how contemporary authors respond to their experiences while building on the foundation laid by those before them.