The Danamaniacs' Bill of Reading Rights

 

1. The right not to read.
2. The right to skip pages.
3. The right not to 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 to not defend your tastes.
11. The right to not feel guilty for not liking what others are raving about.
12. The right to laugh out loud.
13. The right to cry and not feel embarrassed.
14. The right to read the ending first.
15. The right to carry a book at all times.

 

In February, 2003, Danamaniac Kymm started a message board on which she posted the original ten rights, excerpted from a published work by author Daniel Pennac.  The Danamaniacs being who we are, we soon had a lively discussion.  Members endorsed their favorite rights, and a few even added new ones.  In honor of the Danamaniacs' First Anniversary on March 21, 2003, we are giving our amended list a place of honor on the board so that all may refer to it in the future.  Thanks to Kymm and to all the Danamaniacs who contributed to the board!

Sources:

• Rights 1-10 from "Better Than Life" by Daniel Pennac, (Maine: Stenhouse Publishing, 1999),  ISBN: 1571103171.
• Right 11:  Danamaniac "Reader"
• Rights12-13:  Danamaniac "Shugak"
• Right 14: Danamaniac "Illiamna"
• Right 15: Danamaniac "Kymm"