The bedroom in my apartment is far too small to hold a nightstand. There is, however, this bookshelf. Yes, I stow whatever I'm reading on the lower shelf, but more importantly, it's where I keep a collection of ghost books.

John Armato, a Public relations executive, cherishes his growing Library of Candidates. When people ask him if he's actually read all those books, he asks them if they've actually eaten all the food in their kitchen. "It is good to put up a supply of books; it increases the odds that you'll have what you want when you're hungry for it," he says

We become the books we read.

We can't keep his books on the shelf.

Books are the way to stretch out people's souls, and I won't have children with small souls.

Literature is the safe and traditional vehicle through which we learn about the world and pass on values from on generation to the next. Books save lives.