Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for August 9th.Today is National Book Lovers Day, and if you're listening to this podcast, there's a good chance you're already someone who appreciates the power of words and stories. This wonderful holiday encourages us to put down our smartphones, step away from the endless scroll, and reconnect with the tactile, focused pleasure of reading a good book.

National Book Lovers Day celebrates not just the act of reading, but the entire culture of books – the libraries that house them, the bookstores that sell them, the authors who write them, and the readers who give them life through their imagination.

It's a day to honor the fact that despite living in the most connected, digital age in human history, there's still something irreplaceable about holding a book in your hands and disappearing into its pages.

Which brings us to today's quote from Dr. Seuss, who once said:"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."Now, Dr. Seuss wrote these words for children, but let's be honest – adults need this reminder just as much, maybe more. In our world of quick headlines, social media summaries, and bite-sized information, we sometimes forget that deep reading – the kind where you really sink into a book – is like mental travel.Every book you read takes you somewhere new. A biography introduces you to someone you've never met. A novel drops you into a world that exists only in imagination. A history book transports you to a different time. A science book opens up the mysteries of how things work. Each page turn is a step into territory you haven't explored before.And here's the beautiful thing about books – they're the most democratic form of travel available. You don't need a passport, a plane ticket, or even much money. You can visit Victorian London, explore distant galaxies, sit in on conversations with philosophers, or learn skills that change your life – all from your favorite reading chair.Dr. Seuss understood that reading isn't passive entertainment – it's active exploration. Every book expands your perspective, adds to your understanding, and quite literally makes you a more well-traveled person, even if you never leave your hometown.
I remember being a kid and discovering that the library was basically a free adventure warehouse. I could check out books about dinosaurs, mysteries set in other countries, biographies of inventors – it was like having access to every movie, documentary, and travel experience ever created, all in one building.That sense of wonder hasn't left me. Even now, when I walk into a bookstore or library, I feel that same excitement – all these stories, all this knowledge, just waiting to be discovered. It's like being a kid in a candy store, except the candy makes you smarter and more empathetic.
And when the internet came out... mind blown. And then podcasts came along... Ohhh yeah!And now AI... WTF Crazy stuffSometimes you just need to go back to the analog and read a book.So today, in honor of National Book Lovers Day, maybe pick up a book you've been meaning to read. Or revisit an old favorite. Visit a library or bookstore. Remember what Dr. Seuss knew – that reading is one of life's great adventures, and the more you read, the more interesting places your mind can go.In a world that's constantly trying to grab your attention, books offer something precious – the chance to focus deeply, to think slowly, and to travel far without moving an inch.That's going to do it for today. May your next book take you exactly where you need to go, even if you don't know where that is yet.I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.