Reader LXVII

by José Manuel Solares · Madrid, ES

Figure inspired by Francis Bacon's quote, “Some books should be savored, others devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested.” Bacon reflects using metaphors to describe different ways of interacting with books, inviting us to think about the variety of experiences we can have with reading. When he says that some books “should be savored,” he is referring to those texts that are enjoyed slowly, appreciating every word, every idea, as if tasting a good meal. These are books that offer us beauty, inspiration, or knowledge that we want to absorb calmly and reflectively. Books that “should be devoured” are those that are read enthusiastically and quickly, perhaps because they contain important information, striking ideas, or stories that captivate us and we want to know in their entirety in a short time. It's like eating something delicious with gusto and energy. Bacon mentions that only a few books “should be chewed and digested,” implying that there are texts that require deep analysis, careful reflection, and internalization of their teachings. These books challenge us to think, question, and understand deeply, integrating their ideas into our own thinking and lives. He invites us to be mindful of how we approach different books and to adapt our reading according to the type of content and our objective.