Ann Patchett opened a bookstore in Nashville...

...and on opening day, the bestselling author gave a speech at Parnassus Books that went like this.

A reminder from World War II.

From here.

"I'm going out for a bike ride...and NOTHING can stop me!"

By calcamac.

This kid decided that Hurricane Irene was no obstacle to a pleasant pedal through the 'hood. And for that, we salute you, New Jersey bike kid!

"Books are the stepping stones of imagination"?I appreciate the thought...

I appreciate the thought, but who steps on books in their bare feet? I mean, book jackets are good at repelling dust. But foot fungus? Not so much.

“We shall read on the beaches, we shall read on the landing grounds, we shall read in the fields and in the streets, we shall read in the hills.”

"We shall never surrender."

After German bombers hit London in 1940, this young man sat in the ruins of a bookshop, reading. His book selection: The History of London.

This AP photo is from the “World War II in Photos” gallery over at the Atlantic.