look for opportunities (to read!) everywhere

“The worth of a book is to be measured
 by what you can carry away from it.”

James Bryce

 
I love to read. Love it. I always have and I'm pretty sure I always will. The only problem with reading is there's never enough time for it. Ever. No matter how much I read, there are always more and more books coming out and I can't seem to fit it all in. Like most people, I'm pretty busy so sometimes reading takes a backseat to other priorities in my life. Sometimes I just stare at my pile of To Read books or look at the long queue on Goodreads.com and sigh with frustration, "How will ever read them all?" Recently, as I've been working on my own personal development, I've realized that reading is really important to me, both because I love the act of reading and because I love gaining new information from the books I read. Reading is something I love but it also has the added bonus of being pretty good for me. Whether you like to read or not, you can't deny that it has some pretty powerful benefits...

The Benefits of Reading

• Reading stimulates your brain.
• Reading improves your memory.
• Reading keeps you from being bored.
• Reading teaches you about new things.
• Reading increases your vocabulary.
• Reading sharpens your creative skills.
• Reading encourages you to focus.
• Reading allows you be adventurous.
• Reading makes you a better writer.
• Reading relaxes your racing thoughts.
• Reading provides entertainment.
• Reading acts an escape from daily life.
• Reading heightens your self confidence.
• Reading expands your communication skills.
• Reading enlightens you with wisdom.
• Reading illustrates innovative ideas.
• Reading keeps you present in the book.
• Reading inspires you to think independently.
• Reading opens your heart to others.
• Reading relieves stress in your life.

Because I've identified reading as one of those things that's really important to me and that I should do more of (you know, the way some people think of exercise or healthy eating...), I've been giving a lot to how I can incorporate more reading into my daily routines -- without sacrificing all of the things I absolutely have to get done. Those of you who love to read probably feel the same way that I do: there's never enough time! So, I've taken it upon myself to offer up some suggestions of how to incorporate more reading into your life. Most likely, if you're anything like me, reading gets put on the back burner of your life because there are many, many other important things to do. I get that, I do, but reading (especially if you enjoy it!) is really important. Really important. And even with a busy, busy life, you can make time for it. Here's how...

Buy Yourself a Kindle

Over the past 10 months or so, reading has changed a lot for me, mostly because I was fortunate enough to add a Kindle to my life (one of the greatest things ever!). One of the best things about having a Kindle (or any other type of electronic reading device) is that you can carry tons of books with you everywhere you go in one light, convenient contraption. I've gotten into the habit of carrying my Kindle with me almost everywhere so anywhere I am, if I have even a moment or two, I can read. Waiting at the doctor's office? Pull out your Kindle! Riding on the train? Get that Kindle out! Stuck in traffic? Kindle time! (Okay, maybe not that last one since that's probably illegal and is definitely dangerous). Anyway, you get the point. Carrying a Kindle's a lot easier than carrying a book (unless the book is really, really light and small) and you can have lots of books with you at one time.

Kindles are expensive so if you're not all that into reading or don't think you'll use it as often as you'd like, this probably isn't the best option for you. Also, if you're a slow reader, having a Kindle with you at all times isn't going to necessarily help you zip through books any faster. It's not for everyone, but for those who really enjoy reading and want to be doing it every free moment they can (like I do), the Kindle is the way to go. However, if you're the kind of person who really wants to read more and absorb more information but just doesn't have the time, the next option might be for you...

Join a Kick-Ass Book Club

One great way to do this is to join a book club. And not just any book club -- a book club that helps you read more efficiently. Where can you find such a club? Recently I was fortunate enough to stumble across the Bottom Line Book Club, a book club created to cater to busy people who want to absorb information quickly. As you probably know, there are so many great resources out there but it's pretty hard to intake all of that information quickly. When you're reading about personal development (as I often am), you probably find yourself overloaded with information, wondering how in the world it all fits together and how you can apply to it your own life. However, with a book club such as Bottom Line, you can gain insights in a condensed, easy-to-understand form that not only provides you with information but also provides guidance on how to apply the concepts to your life. 

This month, Bottom Line Book Club focused on a book called The Flipside: Finding Hidden Opportunities in Life by Adam J. Jackson, which obviously sounds pretty awesome. Of course I would love to read every single word of the book, but I have a stack of books a mile high and very busy week ahead so accessing the book via Bottom Line couldn't have been more perfect for me. When I received the download of the workbook for The Flipside, I was immediately excited. In only 19 pages I would getting the great information I needed, quickly and without hours of reading! What I loved most about this workbook was right up front I got the three main points about the book. According to Bottom Line, The Flipside focuses on three things:

1. Our perception and experience of reality is all made up
   
2. The importance of developing optimistic thinking
   
3. Smart questions to find the hidden opportunities

After that I was hooked. I instantly wanted to know more because clearly I want to find the hidden opportunities in life and obviously I was excited to learn that this topic tied in with optimistic thinking. As I scrolled through the workbook, I found not only great information on the topics but an area where I could actually reply to questions in the document. I'm a big fan of workbooks and books that require action so this was great for me. Not only did I get to interact with the workbook (a definite downside when it comes to the Kindle), but I learned exciting things like "How To Become More Optimistic," "The Difference Between Pessimists and Optimists," and a great interactive section that helped me to identify hidden opportunities in my own life. As much as I would have liked to read the entire book (and I may at some point because I really was intrigued by the Bottom Line information!), this resource gave the key points and provided an area where I could take the key messages from The Flipside and actually put them to work for me.

If you love to read and enjoy personal development as much as I do but just don't have the time to squeeze it all into your busy schedule, this is probably a great option for you. Within a short amount of time you can obtain the essential information you need and have a place where you can actually see how to apply the topics you've just read about. Brilliant!

Set Aside Read-Only Time

For those of you with more time on your hands, this is a great option for fitting more reading into your life. The key to this tactic is to set aside time specifically for reading. If you have to get up early, do that. If you have to close yourself in your room and ask for some time away from your family, do that. Do whatever you need to do to set aside time just for reading. If you can, set aside a specific amount of time each day to get some reading done. If you can't do it daily, pick a time each week that you know will work for you and block it off as "read-only" time. If you need to, put it on your calendar. You deserve to indulge in all of the benefits of reading so don't feel guilty about setting time aside for something that doesn't necessarily feel like a necessity.

If reading time seems like it will take time away from those you love, think about ways you can incorporate reading into your relationship with your significant other, children, or friends. Do you have a buddy that love to read? What if you met weekly for some reading time at a local coffee shop? What about your kids? Do they enjoy reading or, if you have really young kids, do they enjoy being read to? Reading often seems like an isolating activity, but it doesn't have to be. You can read with someone or next to someone. You can even take your book (or Kindle!) outside somewhere and make an experience of it. Reading can be fun, romantic, and very interactive, but it's up to you to make it that way.
 

Like to read? Do you make time in your life for reading? 
 What suggestions do you have for incorporating reading into your life?

Comments

[J.D. Meier]

Books have always been a part of my world, from Dr. Seuss to Stephen King, and everything in between. It's all good.

[Zeenat{Positive Provocations}]

HI Dani,
I love love love to read. I do it every spare moment i get...seriously..even when i go for a holiday...i carry atleast 5 books with me. Wherever i go its books books and books. When i got married, my hubby still jokingly teases me "you brought more books than anything else to your new life with me". I rather feel incomplete without my books. I have been contemplating buying a Kindle fro a long time...I just might...
All your suggestions are just superb! Cant wait to try them all out.
Thank you for such an amazing post.
Lots of love.
Zeenat.

[Positively Present]

J.D. - That's great! Reading is awesome and it's great to know that you've always enjoyed it. Dr. Seuss is great! :)

Zeenat - Yay! That's great that you love to read too. I completely know what you mean about taking books with you. I can't live without mine, even though they are the heaviest things to carry (which is why I love the Kindle!). Even though I adore the Kindle and it's so useful in situations where I don't want to have a ton of books with me, I still like to read paper books as well. There's something about the feel of a book in your hand that I'll never be able to let go of completely. So glad you enjoyed the suggestions! :)

[Evelyn Lim]

I can never get enough of books. I try to borrow mine from the library. If I think it is a book for keeps, I order it from Amazon. I haven't got kindle though. I somehow like flipping pages in the traditional way.

[Positively Present]

Evelyn - Me too! I actually have been thinking about how I need to go to the library and get books, but I have a huge stack of unread ones already so I guess I don't need anymore right now. I know exactly what you mean about the Kindle. I could never use it 100% of the time because I love the smell/feel/look of books too much, but it is so useful for carrying around and for traveling too.

[Lynn]

This is so timely. I L-O-V-E to read. In fact, I just started getting back to reading real books (and not just online articles/blogs/sites like I have been doing). I used to read so many self-help books and now I really enjoy a good fiction novel.

p.s. I'm doing an All About You Monday over at my place and I'm personally inviting you and your readers to come and join in: http://bit.ly/ruptd.

[Oscar - freestyle mind]

So bad here in Italy where I live I can't get neither a kindle or join a book club. I still devour book though... When I have the opportunity (1 per week).

[Ia]

I love to read, too! And I love to write, and I find that the more I read the better my writing becomes. I work in a bookstore, so I find time to read at work every day. And I do read everyday! I'm working through a stack of books I have at home that I plan to read and then donate, and I also read a bit from the Grimm's fairytales before bed. I don't think I'll get a kindle, I actually really dislike reading novels electronically - I get more into my books when I have them in my hands, feeling the pages. I'm the kind of gal who will wander around with a giant book in my bag. :)

[Positively Present]

Lynn - So glad to hear that you're a reader too! :) It's great to read actual books (instead of just online material) so it's good to know that you're getting back into that. I love all kinds of books, but I always enjoy mixing up fiction and nonfiction. I'll check out the All About You soon! :)

Oscar - No need to have a Kindle to read lots of great books whenever you can. You might want to look into the Bottom Line Book Club since it's online. It might work out for you!

[Srinivas Rao]

Hey Dani,

Interesting ideas on reading. One of my favorite discoveries in the last few months has been audiobooks. I've gotten through so many books that I would have otherwise taken much more time to get through by using audiobooks when I've been sitting in traffic. I listened to the entire Gladwell Trilogy during my commutes back and forth between my parents house and LA. The Kindle sounds like a cool little device. I may have to add that to my list of possible purchases.

[Anita]

Good post! I love to read too! The majority of what I read is non-fiction. I carry a book just about everyplace I go just in case an opportunity comes up for me to read. My hubby & family tease me about it. Sometimes I listen to audio books too. I had a co-worker who used to take notes on every book he read. That way he wouldn't forget the information in the book. He could always refer back to his notes and also share them with others. Take care, A.

[Lindsey]

Reading is a human gift! I always make time for it and have an unusual love, despite the fact I’m dyslexic.
Oral tradition and the written word are the oldest forms of communication, along with hand gesture charades!
The biggest problem I have while traveling is carrying too many books! Yet I haven’t warmed up to the Kindle yet. My deep seated love for books still tethers on to the feel, page flipping sound and character of the object itself. Plus I know that where ever in the world I am,to seek out the familiar smell of a used book store makes me feel content.

[jonathanfigaro]

Reading is to the mind like water is too a plant. We can only grow as human beings if we feed our minds educational, motivational and information material. What stops people from reaching their full potential is the habit of watching t.v or about 4 hours a day. The average American reads less than 1 book a year and this is a staggering fact. If your looking to increase your brain power here is a tip

1. Read for 30 minutes a day. Take aside 30 minutes a day to read in anything which can help you in your area of weakness. If you have horrible communication skills, its best to take 30 minutes out of each day reading How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie. find your weakness and start to make it a new strength. Don't allow fear to keep you from being a great human being. Keep your mind focused on how to think positive, as you begin to stretch your comfort zone.

[Paul Maurice Martin]

Goodreads is a great user (and author)-friendly site.

One thing I used to do that I found really fun and got me reading in areas I wouldn't have otherwise: I used to just go into the library and wander aimlessly among the stacks glancing at the titles.

After two or three things caught my eye I'd go home with books about things that usually I'd always had some sort of interest in but had never read up on - from Einstein to the American frontier.

[Positively Present]

Ia - I agree with you. The more I read, the better I become at writing (and the more inspired I am to write more!). I think a lot of readers have a hard time with a Kindle for the very reason you do. They like to feel the books. I completely understand that and definitely have to read a "real" book every once and awhile.

Srinivas - I love the idea behind audiobooks, but I find that I have a hard time focusing on them for some reason. I recently listened to The Secret in an audio form, but just went out and bought the book today because I didn't feel like I got as much out of it when I could hold the words and look at them. You should definitely look into a Kindle. They are great if you really love to read!

Anita - Thank you! Reading is the best, isn't it? That's great that you carry a book with you. I think that's one of the best ways to incorporate a lot of reading into your life. Have it with you at all times! I love the idea of taking notes. I prefer to highlight/underline and then I can go back and look at what I underlined (though sometimes I don't remember why I did it!). The Kindle has a highlighting/note-taking feature which is great!

Lindsey - Good for you for loving reading even though it may be difficult! That just goes to show how awesome reading is. :) I find that a lot of people have trouble warming up to the Kindle. It took me a bit to get used to it, but now I love it and I find that I don't have to sacrifice reading the other kind of books. I can do both! I 100% agree with you about the bookstore. There's nothing quite like being in one and looking through all of the books. It's one of my favorite places to be!

Jonathan - Great analogy! Reading really is a great way to grow our minds and I love your tip about reading for 30 minutes a day. Most people watch many, many hours of TV a day and they could spend that time reading and stimulating their minds with a great book. Good suggestion about Carnegie's book too... That's a great one!

Paul - Yes, it is! I love Goodreads. :) What a great idea -- wandering around a library (or bookstore) and just looking down the aisles. I used to love to do this as a kid but now I usually go in with some sort of purpose. Next time I'm in the bookstore I'm going to do this and see what books grab my attention. Thanks for the great suggestion!

[x Corrine/Frock & Roll x]

As a massive bookworm, I loved this :D Reading has always been important to me and I try to fit in as much as I can!

[All Women Stalker]

LOVE BOOKS. 'nuff said.
This is an amazing post, Dani.

-meream

[Karlil]

I used to enjoy reading as well. But overtime, i learned if you read too many books at a very short period of time, you will most likely forget the content of the books you read earlier, which happened to me exactly. So instead, i choose to read books slowly and immerse myself with the knowledge one at a time.

[lisa]

ooooooooooo Dani, i've been pondering taking the Kindle Plunge. thanks for this Sign !

[Miki]

I love to read as well! And I love people who love to read. I've been an avid reader since I was 6 years old - just can't get enough.

Dani, you've done an outstanding job of articulating why reading is so important! Whether on Kindle or hard copy. Have you ever considered audio books? Audible.com is the best online site for downloadable audio books. Click on our link - we still have an icon to get your first 2 books for FREE.

I checked out GoodReads. What an innovative site for book lovers to share their passion.

One other thing, do you write reviews on Amazon for the books you read? It's another great way to share your thoughts with others.

[marci]

I love that you point out this benefit: Reading acts an escape from daily life. My belief is that everyone has the urge for an escape from daily life in some way or another. Some people turn to alcohol, smoking, drugs, games, gossip, movies, etc. but reading is a great one to turn to - it's healthy and enlightening, rather than bringing you down.

[Susan Pogorzelski]

Dani: I LOVE this post (and, consequently, love your blog!). Reading and writing has been so important to me ever since I made my own book in kindergarten. I remember fondly reading the Berenstain Bear books under the covers at night, then graduating to Sweet Valley High and the Babysitter's Club until I found literature in high school. If you're reading, you're learning, no matter what the subject matter, no matter what the genre. All of the benefits you list are right on.

Though I can't bring myself to buy a Kindle -- at least, not until I start traveling again. I just love the traditional hardcover and lining my favorites up on a bookshelf. :)

[suzen]

I'm a book lover - have been all my life! I even tried sleeping LESS so I could read more! Now I generally fall asleep reading. There are stacks of books I'm reading (simultaneously) on my night table beside my bed, on my screened porch, and the end table in family room. I should just dedicate a whole day to read - I don't. I grab whenever I can - and so far, it's never been enough! I seriously am going to schedule reading into my planner and see how that works!

Great blog - glad to see there is a lot company in the I-want-to-read-more club!

[Giovanna Garcia]

Hi Dani,

I couldn't agree with you more, about there are never enough time to read everything I want to read. :-)
Thanks for the reminder about making reading time.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

[Lance]

Dani,
I like the sound of the "Good Reads" book club, especially for those busy times. I have a hard time fully completing books sometimes. I'll start one, only to get sidetracked with other life issues, and then find another book I like - and start that too. Time to finish a couple off, I guess!! And another option is books on CD - that you can play in your car. Something I haven't done, as I don't spend a lot of time typically driving in my care.

[Positively Present]

Corrine - Awesome! Another bookworm! :) Like you, reading is so important to me and I do whatever I can to fit it into my life. It's not always easy to squeeze it in, but so worth it!

Meream - That's great! It's so good to see so many people posting comments that love books. Obviously people must love to read if they're on the site since there's not much else to do here, but it's still awesome to see all of these book lovers like you.

Karlil - Very good point. This happens to me A LOT. I'll read tons of books and then forget what the main points are. This is why the Bottom Line Book Club is so awesome. You have all of the key points right there at your fingertips for easy access!

Lisa - If you're a big reader, it's a great investment. It's pretty pricey and then of course you still have to buy the books so if you don't read that often it's not really worth it. However, if you love to read all the time (like me!) than you'll love the Kindle!

Miki - I feel the same way about reading. I just can't get enough of it! I have tried audiobooks but for some reason I can't seem to focus as well when I don't have something tangible in my hands that I can highlight and see. However, that's just me and for most people I think audiobooks are a GREAT option. I don't usually review books on Amazon, but I will definitely have to look into that because I love the idea of sharing my ideas with others.

Marci - Yes, that's one of the best things about reading for me -- the chance to escape into another world, another life. I agree that reading is an excellent, healthy way to escape -- and SO much more fulfilling than all of the other options you mentioned.

Susan - Thank you! :) So glad you like the post and the blog! OMG I made a book in kindergarten too!! How funny is that! And I LOVED Sweet Valley High too. I still have them all lined up on my bookshelf at my parents' house. Love them! I completely understand what you mean about the Kindle. There is something about an actual book that is just magical. That being said, it really does come in handy for traveling and for carrying multiple books at once.

Suzen - Haha, that's great. Less sleep, more reading! :) I love it! As a kid I used to dedicate entire days to reading and it was wonderful. It's a lot harder to do that as an adult, but one of these days I'm going to give it a shot. Until then, like you I'll do whatever I can to grab time to read. Yeah, it's great to see how many readers there are out there, isn't it?

Giovanna - There really is never enough time, but we can fit it in to our busy schedules if we really want to. Just think about how many hours we waste doing other things! If we put our minds to it, we can incorporate reading into our lives every day (but even then there will always be so many great books still left unread!).

Lance - The Bottom Line Book Club is a great way to get the key elements from the book (AND put them to use), which is great for really busy people. In addition, the site Goodreads really helps me to organize what I want to read (and what I have already read), which is always so helpful. I think audiobooks are a great idea, though I personally have trouble focusing on them. I need something tangible in my hands I guess!

[Megan Bord]

I've only recently started reading more; probably in the last two years. I grew up HATING to read because my older brothers would forgo playing with me to pick up a book. I mean really! Now I keep two or three books in my car (you know, just in case), have three or four at home I'm working through, and one at a friend's house (again, just in case).
Your suggestions for making more time to read were great! My brother owns a kindle and swears by it. Great for traveling (lightweight and holds so many books & magazines, it's silly).
To help me make even more time for reading, I ditched my TV and it definitely helps.
Good luck getting more book time in, Dani!

[Daniel Richard]

Heya Dani!

Wow. You are a huge fan of book reading too! Haha. I don't own a Kindle (maybe not yet) although one of the places where I hang out most often would be at bookstores or in the library.

Book clubs... hmmm. I haven't came across that before though. :)

[Amelia]

I just finished my degree today, and ordered a stack of books on Amazon to celebrate! I used to read everywhere, in bed, on the loo, any spare moment and I'm trying to get my default mode back into reading. With the colder weather coming up, it's definitely the perfect time to curl up with a stack of books :D I can't wait for my parcels to arrive.
Timely post :)

[Positively Present]

Megan - That's awesome that you've started reading more. I think there are a lot of people who grow up hating reading, but it's never to late to start loving it! Good for you, getting rid of your TV. As much as I love to read, I'm not sure I'm reading for that step yet! :)

Daniel - Hi! You're right, I AM a huge fan of reading. HUGE! Kindles are great and I swear I couldn't live without mine now, but there's nothing like an actual book (or a store filled with them!). Book clubs are a great way to indulge in reading and participate more actively in it. You should check out Bottom Line!

Amelia - Congratulations! What a great gift to yourself! :) And you're so right about this time of year. There's nothing like curling up and getting cozy with a good book!

[Laura - The Journal of Cultural Conversation]

You know how much I love reading, Dani! I loved this post because it gave me some cool actionable things to do (like join a book club, which I've been meaning to do!)

[Jen]

Great post! I love reading and have been known to read 10 books in a week on holiday...the kindle sounds great! Maybe I'll put on my Xmas list...:-) Thanks Dani!

[Positively Present]

Laura - Yes, I do! :) Reading is awesome and I'm glad I could provide some options for taking action and reading more.

Jen - Oh, I love the idea of reading on holiday. How wonderful to be able to read so many books in a row! You should definitely ask for a Kindle if you're a big reader. It's great!

[Syd]

Reading is something that I've enjoyed all my life. A large part of my research involves reading. And my favorite time to read is at the end of the day when I am in bed. I keep lots of books on the night stand. I haven't done the Kindle and probably won't because I like having a good solid book in my hands. I read a lot on the boat too. Thanks for a good post. Maybe it will encourage others to see the wonder in books.

[Positively Present]

Syd - Me too! I love reading in bed as well. It's so relaxing and helps me feel peaceful before I go to sleep. As I noted in some of the other comments, I totally get where you're coming from with the Kindle. At first I never thought I could do it, but I've grown to love it. I still like to read regular books too though. There's just something about holding a book in your hands that's just awesome!

[Hayden Tompkins]

I would LOVE a Kindle. I'm not sure about taking it into a bubble bath, though. I might have to stick with regular paperbacks for that!

[Positively Present]

Hayden - Yeah, the Kindle is pretty awesome! I love it (even though I still like regular books too... especially in situations involving water!). You should definitely get one.

[Kaushik]

Oh, great post. I love reading! I'm not quite used to audio books yet...reading seems to take me right into a dream in a way that audio/video has not.

[K]

Just found this site from your comment on Gretchen's
Love it

[Barbara Swafford]

Hi Dani,

I'm a reader, too. I used to do more reading of real books, but now most of my time is spent reading online. When I do get a chance to put up my feet and read (a book), it's a real treat and I enjoy every moment of it.

[Positively Present]

Kaushik - I'm with you on the audio books. I like to be able to see the words and hold something (either a book or a Kindle). I love what you wrote about reading taking you into a dream. Beautifully said!

K - So glad you found the site! :) Thanks for commenting!

Barbara - These days I do a lot of online reading as well. To me, gaining knowledge and absorbing words is the most important part and it really doesn't matter what form it comes in -- though you're right about reading a book being a treat!

[Diggy - Upgradereality.com]

Hey Daniiii!

Always love your posts:)

I love reading too but I never make time for it, that is the biggest problem, just quitting everything else and sitting down with your book and reading :)

Right now I just bought myself "The 4 hour work week" by Tim Ferriss, really really cool book, Im loving it :) Definetly recommend that!

I haven't really looked into the kindle thing, how is reading from a screen? I pretty much hate reading books from a screen, it makes my eyes fuzzy. Maybe a kindle is different because I hear it has a static screen and doesnt refresh all the time, so it is easy on the eyes?

Thanks for sharing!
Keep well!
Diggy

[Positively Present]

Diggy - I'm so glad you love them! That makes me smile! I've been thinking about reading The Four Hour Work Week so I'll have to check that one out. Reading on the Kindle is great! It's not at all like reading on a computer screen because it's somehow made with ink. I really forget that it's not a book sometimes because it's so easy to read. It's a great tool to have if you're interested in incorporating more reading in your life because it's so light and easy to carry everywhere.

[Farnoosh]

Love it. Reading is the best exercise for an active mind. And I *love* the photo. How can we promote reading of more classics? I know I struggle when I first start a classic - they weren't meant to be idle reading after all - but then I am always satisfied to have read them.
I am running a book contest on my blog to increase the love of books. Giving away an Amazon book of choice to anyone who gives me the best description of a book they loved!
Thanks for a delightful post for a dreary morning!

[Positively Present]

Farnoosh - So glad you liked this post. It's so important to read and I agree with you about the classics. Sometimes it's hard to read them but they are so important in a literary and cultural sense. Thanks for sharing your contest on PP!