Why was Jonas so surprised to see all the books in office-the giver?

In the novel "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, Jonas was not surprised to see the books in his office but was rather surprised by the fact that he was allowed to read them. Within the confines of the strictly controlled society depicted in the novel, individuality, personal ownership of books, and uncensored information were not permitted.

Jonas was selected as the Receiver of Memories, a position responsible for preserving the community's history and memories. As part of his training, he was allowed access to the private chambers of the Giver, where he discovered a wealth of books containing knowledge about the past, emotions, color descriptions, and a broader understanding of the world beyond their community's controlled environment.

Jonas' surprise stemmed not from the presence of books but rather from the fact that he had been granted the privilege to read them. In the society portrayed in the novel, access to such information was highly restricted, and the possession of books was considered an act of rebellion against the rigid societal norms that suppressed individuality and diversity of thought.