I don't read a lot of books. I like the idea of reading more than reality. The icon above is a deeply romanticised view of reading, more fit for the time when a book would cost a fortune. When reading was only for the rich or knowledgeble munks. Even the books seem to be full of themselves containing chivalerous tales with cringe inducing monologues. The scene in Tristan and Isolde by Joseph Bédier (compiled from various sources in the 1900s), where a hunting party is amazed by the fair customs of butchering of a stag that Tristan exibits. It seems as if this was the most wonderful thing they had ever seen, is it really more beautiful than the setting sun?

Nowadays books are not read by candlelight but by electricity and not many favours are won by butchering animals in a beautiful way.