The medieval books

Why were medieval books so expensive?
Identify - - What is “precious” about the Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux?
Talk About - - What is a Book of Hours? What are the Canonical Hours?
Illumination
Marginalia
Grisaille
Modeling
Clergy
Laity
Context - - Why did the laity read Books of Hours?
Connection – Is there such a thing as contemporary meditation or contemplation? If so, do images play a role?
If not, does some other activity take its place?