The feeling inside that she experienced when she saw the books was akin to the hunger she felt as food was put on the table at the end of the working day. And she knew that she needed this sustenance as surely as her body needed its fuel.
The character's emotional response to seeing the books parallels her physical hunger for food after a long workday. This comparison highlights the deep yearning she feels for knowledge and the comfort that books provide, much like a nourishing meal restores energy. It underscores the idea that intellectual engagement is just as vital to her well-being as food is to her physical health.
Through this metaphor, the author illustrates the profound connection between the character's spirit and her need for literary sustenance. It suggests that her search for understanding and insight gives her life purpose, similar to how nourishment fuels her body. This emphasizes the importance of both physical and intellectual fulfillment in the human experience.