I like my
own home-made metaphor which likens books to people. No arrogance, I just like
the fact that they really are alike. I like this likeness, for phonetical reasons and others likewise. They need to be handled carefully, stroked,
opened or put aside. Some are for sale, some are out of stock, some
others may be borrowed and returned, or
never so. Some are illegible, some others seem too easy. Some are forgotten. There are books for
each audience. Some carry a profound meaning, some others sound very
superficial. Some were terribly misunderstood.
Despite all
the obvious parallels between people and books, there’s one feature that works
to the advantage of the latter: they don't know jealousy. How many times did I not
put a book back on the shelf, just to pick up another one seconds later – there
was no protest, no moaning, no reproach. They calmly accepted their lot, and still
look eternally happy in their spacious wooden home. They are always there, on
standby, any time of the day or night.
Talking
about nights – in case of books a one-night stand does not make you a wicked
one. For example, one might be completely smitten by Kundera and read all his
works in alphabetical order, which still doesn’t stop him (her) from a one-book
stand with Wolfram Eilenberger. And nobody gets jealous or offended. Even if
your one-book stand does actually happen in one night. If you’re a fast reader,
and the book is really good – why not? The only one with regrets will be you, the
day after.
As for the
other attributes – I really can’t see any major difference. Both people and
books become what you make of them. They are much more you than they are
themselves. 
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