The 28th of September is recognized as the International Day of Universal Access to Information, a global initiative that encourages the right to seek and receive information freely. This day highlights the importance of transparency and knowledge-sharing in democratic societies. However, literature has long explored the idea that some information may be better left undisturbed. Five books illustrate scenarios where accessing certain documents can lead to unintended consequences, revealing the complex relationship between knowledge and its impact on individuals and society. Le Livre de sable by Jorge Luis Borges tells the story of a narrator who purchases an infinite book with no beginning or end. As he reads, pages disappear, and the book becomes an unmanageable source of information, leading to obsession and confusion. The narrative explores how the pursuit of knowledge can become overwhelming and even destructive. La Maison des feuilles by Mark Z. Danielewski follows a character who discovers a manuscript about a house that is larger on the inside. As he studies the manuscript, the boundaries between the text and the house blur, leading to a disintegration of his reality. The book uses unconventional formatting and layout to reflect the disorienting effects of information overload and the blurring of reality. Possession by A. S. Byatt centers on a researcher who discovers two letters between two poets, leading to a quest that unravels their hidden relationship. The letters, meant to remain private, become the focus of academic pursuit, highlighting the tension between personal privacy and public knowledge. The novel explores how the desire for discovery can sometimes override the need for discretion. Les Confessions de Frannie Langton by Sara Collins recounts the story of a woman accused of murder who writes her own confession. Her narrative challenges the assumptions made by the court and society, reclaiming her story from those who seek to define her. The book examines how information, especially when controlled by others, can be used to shape or distort a person's identity. Le Dossier 51 by Gilles Perrault details the creation of a dossier on a French diplomat by an intelligence organization. As the dossier accumulates information, the individual's identity is overshadowed by the data collected, illustrating the dangers of surveillance and the erosion of personal identity. The novel raises questions about the balance between security and individual freedom. The UNESCO emphasizes the importance of access to information in democratic societies, but these books suggest that some information may be better left hidden. Each book presents a different perspective on the consequences of seeking out information that was meant to remain confidential, offering a nuanced view of the power and peril of knowledge.