“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
Attributed to Keillor in The Miracle of Language (1999) by Richard Lederer, p. 149, this statement also appears in What? (1988) by Ronald Silliman, p. 28:
A book is a gift you can open again and again especially when you're writing it yourself.
Disputed
We Are Still Married : Stories & Letters (1989),, "The Meaning of Life", p. 217 <!-- Viking -->
Context: To know and to serve God, of course, is why we're here, a clear truth, that, like the nose on your face, is near at hand and easily discernible but can make you dizzy if you try to focus on it hard. But a little faith will see you through. What else will do except faith in such a cynical, corrupt time? When the country goes temporarily to the dogs, cats must learn to be circumspect, walk on fences, sleep in trees, and have faith that all this woofing is not the last word. What is the last word, then? Gentleness is everywhere in daily life, a sign that faith rules through ordinary things: through cooking and small talk, through storytelling, making love, fishing, tending animals and sweet corn and flowers, through sports, music and books, raising kids — all the places where the gravy soaks in and grace shines through. Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.
"Minnesota's Sensible Plan, TIME (11 September 1995)
Real Time with Bill Maher (15 October 2004)