5 Reasons and Some Quotes Explain Why I Think Doctor Who Appeals to Book Lovers and Librarians

Source: Read more about this marketing at Book Riot

I’ve got a theory, it must be bunnies . . . No, wait, wrong show.  That’s from Buffy. 

Some shows have huge, devoted fandoms.  Shows like Buffy and Battlestar Gallactica and the show about everyone’s favorite doctor, Doctor Who.  Doctor Who is popular for many reasons, but I do have some theories as to why Doctor Who is so popular among book lovers and librarians – like me, a newly obsessed fan.

The Tardis is Like a Bookstore or a Library (or even a book)

You have probably seen the picture on the Internet, but the Tardis IS like a library (or a bookstore or yes, even a book).  When you walk into the Tardis, you know that you are going to explore new worlds, meet new people, and travel through both time and space.  You can do the same thing in a library.  When you walk through the library doors and explore the shelves you are transported to the past, to the future, to new worlds, to old worlds, and literally out of this world.  You will meet new people and hear their stories.  The library is full of ideas and thoughts and journeys.  Like the Tardis, the library is oh so much bigger on the inside then it appears on the outside.  The library (or a bookstore) is the one place where you have access to the entire universe and all the knowledge it holds.

Two Awesome Episodes Take Place in the Universe’s Most Amazing Library


In the two episode arc that begins with Silence in the Library, we journey to the universe’s largest library.  I love this episode.  Love it.  And not just because it takes place in a library.  The Vashta Nerada are terrifying, especially with the suggestion that they are what lurk in dark corners everywhere, even on Earth.  But oh my goodness, I want to work in that library.  Well, after they get rid of the Vashta Nerada.

There is actually another episode, Tooth and Claw, where the Doctor and co barricade themselves in a library to escape an alien werewolf thingy.  This is where a librarian’s favorite quote comes from . . .

Spoilers Sweetie: River Song’s Journal

I know there are some people who don’t like River Song, I have read it on the Internet.  But in my very humble opinion – they are wrong.  I love River Song.  She has sass and spunk.  She also has the most amazing book ever.   You see, River keeps meeting the Doctor out of order, so she keeps a journal to figure out where and when they’ve met.  It’s like having a guidebook to your life.  Can you even imagine?  But she recognizes the importance of not knowing your life events ahead of time, so she is not one to divulge spoilers.  Thus, her tagline: “Spoilers, Sweetie”.  Such a great book and such a great, fun way to demonstrate the power of a book in life.

  
Authors, Authors Everywhere

Author Annie Cardi actually wrote a fabulous guest post (it will post on Friday) on this so I won’t get into too much detail here.  But in his travels through time and space the Doctor has met a variety of amazing authors.  He meets Agatha Christie.  He meets the bard himself, William Shakespeare.  He meets Charles Dickens.  It is fun to see the writers tinker with the lore of some of history’s most famous books and to suggest that The Doctor, or Donna Noble, or even Martha might have had something to do with the most important plot twists, lines, or characters.

William Shakespeare: How can a man so young have eyes so old?
The Doctor: I do a lot of reading. (from The Shakespeare Code)

Melody Malone, Private Investigator

Source: Doctor Who Tumblr.com

One of my favorite episode arcs involves a book starring one Melody Malone.  The book tells exactly what is going to happen in the episode, but if The Doctor and Amy read it, then time becomes fixed.  And they are definitely trying to change the events of the story.  I love the way The Angels Take Manhattan uses a noir detective story to frame the story of this episode.  I cringe every time the Doctor tears the last page out of the book, but I geek out over how they use the table of contents.  Yes, it’s true – I am a geek.

Quotes, Quotes, and More Quotes

Most book lovers love a good quote.  If you spend anytime on the Internet you have seen them – beautiful pictures with book quotes.  Doctor Who is full of great quotes.  Here are five of my favorites (not mentioned above):

“You don’t just give up. You don’t just let things happen. You make a stand! You say no! You have the guts to do what’s right, even when everyone else just runs away.” 
(from The Parting of the Ways)

This post is part of TWO marvelous blogging events!

Sci-Fi Month is brought to you by Rinn Reads. Check out the full schedule of Sci-Fi Month posts! There are reviews, discussions, giveaways, and more!



Doctor Who Week is a joint venture between  Maria’s Melange and Teen Librarian Toolbox. We have a full week of fun posts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.

Filed under: Doctor Who, Fandom, Librarians, Quotes