Reader XCIII, 2026

Jose Manuel Solares  

This figure, inspired by Maurice Sendak's quote, “There is much more to a book than just reading it," invites us to view books as a complete experience, not limited to the act of turning pages and deciphering words.

Reading is, on the surface, a simple activity: eyes scanning lines, mind interpreting meanings. But a book contains dimensions that go beyond the text. First, there is the emotional experience. Each story awakens memories, connects with personal experiences, and provokes unique feelings in each reader. The book thus becomes a mirror in which one recognizes oneself or a window into unknown worlds.

There is also a sensory and symbolic dimension. The smell of the paper, the weight of the volume, the notes in the margins, the old underlinings... all of this is part of an intimate relationship between reader and work. A book can be an inheritance, a gift, a refuge, or a discovery. It can accompany stages of life and become an object laden with memory.

Furthermore, beyond the individual act of reading, books generate dialogue. People talk about them, recommend them, and debate them. A story can unite generations, create reading communities, or inspire other artistic works. Thus, books transcend their reading and become a meeting point between people.

Finally, there is its formative and transformative power. A book can change the way we think, awaken vocations, offer comfort, or challenge beliefs. It does not end when it is closed; it continues to live on in those who have read it.

In short, Sendak reminds us that a book is not just a text to be consumed, but an experience to be lived, shared, and stored in our memory. It contains stories, yes, but also emotions, memories, and possibilities that go far beyond its pages.