LITERATURE ABUSE: AMERICA'S HIDDEN PROBLEM
SELF-TEST FOR LITERATURE ABUSERS

How many of these apply to you?

 1. I have read fiction when I was depressed or to cheer myself up.
 2. I have gone on reading binges of an entire book or more in a day.
 3. I read rapidly, often 'gulping' chapters.
 4. I have sometimes read early in the morning or before work.
 5. I have hidden books in different places to sneak a chapter without
    being seen.
 6. Sometimes I avoid friends or family obligations in order to read
    novels.
 7. Sometimes I re-write film or television dialog as the characters
    speak.
 8. I am unable to enjoy myself with others unless there is a book
    nearby.
 9. At a party, I will often slip off unnoticed to read.
10. Reading has made me seek haunts and companions which I would
    otherwise avoid.
11. I have neglected personal hygiene or household chores until I 
    have finished a novel.
12. I have spent money meant for necessities on books instead.
13. I have attempted to check out more library books than permitted.
14. Most of my friends are heavy fiction readers.
15. I have sometimes passed out from a night of heavy reading.
16. I have suffered 'blackouts' or memory loss from a bout of reading.
17. I sometimes read without a donut in one hand.
18. I do crossword puzzles in pen when there isn't a pencil handy.
19. I have spent hours trying to program TiVO only to record Oprah 
    when it's her book club. 
20. I eat biscotti at Borders, even though it tastes terrible, so 
    I can disguise my reading habit. 
21. I have wept, become angry or irrational because of something 
    I read. 
22. I have sometimes wished I did not read so much. 
23. Sometimes I think my reading is out of control. 
24. Amazon knows my credit card number.