The Reader's Bill of Rights

We all understand the value of reading, but I fear that sometimes adults can convey to children the sense that reading is good, but only if you do it the "right" way. This is partly why I love the Reader's Bill of Rights, which is a nice reminder that there are many good ways to read.

Readers have:

1. The right to not read.
2. The right to skip pages.
3. The right to not finish.
4. The right to reread.
5. The right to read anything.
6. The right to escapism.
7. The right to read anywhere.
8. The right to browse.
9. The right to read out loud.
10. The right not to defend your tastes.

—Pennac, Daniel, Better Than Life, Coach House Press, 1996.