"How do I read more? How do I start reading? How do you find so much time to read?"

I get asked questions like this very often. Generally, I tell them about my '3 parallel books' strategy or talk about my love for the written word or perhaps even point to the needs of my career as a researcher and educator. However, none of these answers are true though they are all factually accurate.

Reading is a pleasurable activity, definitely an illuminating one and often even a desirable one. But, reading is rarely done for its own sake.

We read to fulfill a need. Here is how books have helped me cope with life.