Props to Nancy Drew for ingraining in me --- and perhaps in YOU, a proclivity for books. C’mon, admit it, every fourth grader has read Secret of the Old Clock, Volume 1 of Carolyn Keene’s comprehensive mystery series. Claiming for her own a vocation steeped in adventure, peril and celebrity, our heroine kicked wikked evil as amateur sleuth and keen protagonist. Growing up, I consumed those large-print, lemon-yellow hardbacks like I would Baci chocolate bon-bons—supine, with zeal.

Now, in its stead, I ingest meatier tomes recounting more than just juvenile suspense. If produced into film, most of my faves would merit R-and-beyond ratings. To parry ennui, on occasion I spice up my syllabi with an ex-banned book for stylistic kick. If only we could exploit osmosis to palliate the time-exhausting task of absorbing knowledge. Until we actualize that reality, I encourage you all to READ AT WHIM.