The being was trying to get him to think about what he was saying, not just recite. - Karl Schroeder

She looked up at the towering wisdom and felt a sudden love for it—as if these books were family.

I haven't organized my life as a narrative, you know. I'm not sure you'll understand.
As listeners, we are not required to understand, said Qiingi. Only to care.

“Which do you prefer?”
Armiger leaned over her and kissed her cheek. “Which what do I prefer?”
“Do you prefer making love or reading?” Her voice held a teasing note, but he had learned there were frequently hidden needs behind her teasing questions.
“To read is to make love to the world,” he said. “But to make love to a woman is to feel like the world is reading you.”
She smiled, not comprehending, and fell asleep.