i knew i didn't like the image on the cover of if on a winter's night a traveler, and i liked it less when i confirmed that it was a painting by de chirico. a listless image, poorly reproduced, but perhaps it is totally appropriate in this context. a painting about paintings on a book about reading.
stephanie was reading the first chapter aloud. it addresses you, dear reader, and your choice of this book. i didn't think i liked it. when she set it down i picked it up, and the first page i flipped to commenced with a paragraph on the differences between having something read aloud to you and reading it yourself.
perhaps i will like this book.