The Reader’s Bill of Rights

1) To read anything at any time.
See this people who shop at Walmart at the same time as me? It is perfectly normal for me to pull a paperback out of my purse while shopping. Shopping and reading. Perfect combination!

2) To read anywhere, in any position.
So what if I want to read upside down on the couch? Perhaps the blood rushing to my head helps comprehension. (No really, I do this.)

3) To read without intrusion.
There is a reason why I hide in the bedroom at a particularly good part in my book. All that’s missing is a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door.

4) To move your lips while you read.
I don’t personally do this, but I totally laugh out loud sometimes. This doesn’t work well when you’re reading on the bus.

5) To read as slowly as you like.
Honestly, it will take me weeks to get through some books. That is why I like number 6…

6) To read several books at one time.
If a book looses my interest for a bit, I start a new one and come back. I often read 5 or 6 books at the same time. I admit it.

7) To underline favorite passages.
This is one thing I don’t do, but I’m OCD about my books. All of them (even ones I’ve had for years) still look brand new.

8) To ignore literary critics.
You may not love a book, but I will. I may totally dislike a book that you praise. Live and let live.

9) To skip pages or chapters.
I admit it. I’ve skipped all the way to the middle of a book, just to see if it got any more interesting. If I’m investing my reading time, I want something to happen!

10) To read the last chapter first.
Guilty. Especially in books that I am not sure about reading yet.

11) To stop reading in the middle.
Heck. To stop reading 50 pages in! If the book isn’t enticing me, I move on to something new. Too many books, too little time.

12) To read a book over and over again.
The Goose Girl, Stargirl, The Tale of Desperaux. All these are books I’ve read at least 3 or 4 times each. If you fall in love, it’s okay to stay in love.