My mailman and the UPS guy - I always have to tip them lavishly at holiday times, because they're carrying all these books every day,

Prolonged travel in the alternate world of books can also make a reader more prone to fantasy thinking and estranged from his or her "real" life.

It's not that I don't like people. It's just that when I'm in the company of others - even my nearest and dearest - there always comes a moment when I'd rather be reading a book.

Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading

Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading: Finding and Losing Myself in Books

Reality TV, blogging and self-publishing are all evidence of a society's or culture's desire to be more public. And that's a sign of a healthy or energetic culture.