You've got all these books on self help getting to know yourself doing the right thing eating the so-called right foods even down to what books you have on your shelves. People are encouraged to look to themselves first as opposed to being a part of society.
The society of dead authors has this advantage over that of the living: they never flatter us to our faces nor slander us behind our backs nor intrude upon our privacy nor quit their shelves until we take them down.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.
I have four shelves covered with journals that I've written. Dad and I are writing songs together. I've probably written 100 songs.
Some people think my father was a spy because of working for that government agency in Vietnam but he can't find his car keys much less keep a national secret.