That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I've always loved the inclusion of books in visuals of the male form. Many of the photographers I've featured over the years have included books, bookcases, and even libraries or rooms full of books as part of their work. One of my favorite series is Bookworm by Robert J. Guttke. Robert sent me on many samples from the series but I know there are many more that we'll sadly ever see. The series does continue to inspire however, including motivating me to find more shots of hot guys cracking the spines.

With each passing year, less and less people seem to be reading. Books that is, physical books. 📚 I never gave them up completely, I always have two or three books on the go. I have a 'light' page turner for bedtime, a juicy thriller for when sitting outside, something more educational for the bathroom. The book on nightstand changes all the time, as I go through them quickly. The other two sometimes take months. I actually started a book last August that I read on my back deck, that I picked up and finished this May when the weather warmed up again.
I went through an e-book phase, and still love buying and enjoying on-line photo books in e format. I have however, pretty much stopped buying digital downloads for fiction. I love the flexibility of having a book in my hands. I love throwing it my suitcase when I travel, and I love giving books that enjoyed, to friends and relatives.
I still love bookstores, but buy a lot on-line. I still give books as gifts, and although I don't keep and collect books the way I used to, I keep ones that have special meaning, or that I might one day read again. I've now read so many books by my favorite authors, that it sometimes takes me a chapter or two to realize I've already read the book. This led to my having to make a 'master list' of books I've read, so that I don't waste $ on buying additional copies.
There's something incredibly sexy about a hot man with a book. More so today, than ever. Books are not the staples they once were, and most people can get through life simply by reading everything on a screen. Seeing someone holding a physical book means they're utilizing more than just one or two of their senses.