Context

This line was spoken by the Tenth Doctor (played by David Tennant) in an episode of Doctor Who, written by Russell T. Davies (2005- ).

Despite his plethora of victories over would-be invaders of Earth, the Doctor is technically a pacifist, who abhors guns and violence. Instead of blasting his foes with heat vision like Superman or taking them down with hand to hand combat, Jason Bourne-style, the Doctor uses other weapons like talking, cleverness, and in this case, books.

And books come in handy as the Doctor and his traveling companion, Rose Tyler, travel to the Scottish Moors during Victorian England and encounter Queen V herself. A secret cabal of monks want to infect her with the blood of alien werewolves and turn the British Empire into the Empire of the Wolf. So, you know, not too unrealistic.

But "Tooth and Claw" contains a line that made thousands of librarians punch the air with joy as the Doctor finds records about the extraterrestrial werewolves in the library of the estate where Queen Victoria is staying. He saves the day, and then he and Rose are promptly banished by Queen Victoria because of their connection to strange beings.

Books are really awesome and can entertain you, help you not fail school, and also take out werewolves on the Scottish moors. Not bad.

Where you've heard it

You've probably heard or seen this from your local librarian, who is trying to get more young people to read books with the help of British time travelers with perfect hair.

This article reveals that the Doctor puts his money where his mouth is and proves that he really is one of the biggest books fans out there.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Books are kind of amazing, and as long as you're not telling your friends that they should only read Marcel Proust and James Joyce, this quote is not pretentious.