Required Reading Ray Bradburys Last Essay

Required Reading Ray Bradburys Last Essay The release of The Best American Nonrequired Reading anthology is always a highlight of my  reading year. This year, its more exciting than usual because Ray Bradbury wrote the introduction, an essay called The Book and the Butterfly, that, it turns out, would be his last. Just when I thought I couldnt love the man moreIm planning a tattoo of a  favorite line from Fahrenheit 451 as my 30th birthday gift to myself later this yearhe nails the essence of being a reader. And because hes ass-kickingly awesome, he does it in just a couple hundred words. The Huffington Post has the full essay. You should read it, and then  you should buy a copy of this years Best American Nonrequired  Reading and  join me in underlining ALL THE SMART THINGS. Ive read The Book and the Butterfly through a dozen times now. Here are a few of the best, most delightfully bookish sections (emphasis mine). On the  librarian who doubted he could, at seven years old, read 10  books a week: And she said, You cant possibly read all of those before they are due back. I said, Yes, I can. And I came back the next week for ten more  books. In doing so, I told that  librarian, politely, to get out of my way and let me happen. Thats what  books do. They are the building blocks, the DNA, if you will, of you. _________________________ On the effects of being well- and widely-read: I pondered all of these things because of  books. I asked big questions because of  books. I dreamed because of books.  I started to write because of  books.   _________________________ On being changed by  reading and  writing: I am told the editorial process for this series is rooted in the involvement of high school students selecting the stories and assembling each years editionI would have loved to work on this series. I imagine each young person who has poured his or her heart into this edition has been changed as a result. The caterpillar sprouts wings. And I know that, as with  reading any book, you, dear reader, will change too. Sign up to Unusual Suspects to receive news and recommendations for mystery/thriller readers. Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.