Casting reason (and boring books) aside

“Sure there’s a catch, Doc Daneeka replied. “Catch-22. Anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn’t really crazy.” — Joseph Heller, Catch-22

About 10 years ago I passed on a tome called How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read to my friend Kieran, an ardent bibliophile.

It was — it could only have been — written by a French philosopher and its premise was arresting. You don’t need to get yourself worked up reading books — being aware of their place in the canon is sufficient — and don’t be afraid of flinging aside a book you’re not enjoying.