"That must be a good book."

"Huh? Yeah it is...my hair is brown."
"Excuse me?"
"I am just trying to show that you aren't the only one with a firm grasp of the obvious."

I am a reader. More so than I used to be and I owe this to my wife. Right now I am 20-75 percent of the way through 6 different books ranging from juvenile fiction to editorials to the obligatory Flash programming book. I don't have a lot of time to read and the majority of it is accomplished during my breaks at work. I read while I walk around the hospital on my way to and from work as well as on my break. Those who can't be bothered to pick up some print constantly plague me with the dreaded "That must be a good book." I don't know if they are trying to start a conversation or falling prey to narcissism and speaking just to hear their own voice. They wouldn't walk into a room full of people staring at a TV and say "This must be a good movie" but rather "What are you watching?" as they sit down to join the sitcom sponges.

How do I know these are the unread? We readers stick with each other. If we dare interrupt it is ALWAYS done with a "Oooooo what are you reading?" This is seldom a sore greeting and if we are at a critical point in our literary journey it is entirely acceptable to inform the greeter "I can't put this down right now, just a minute." This greeting between book lovers is always coupled with the hope one will come away with another title added to the "must read" list and even if that doesn't happen it will at least allow you to speak about a hobby you love with a kindred spirit.

So if you see me walking with my face half hidden behind the pages of a book don't talk just to talk. Interrupt me with something of substance. Ignore me. It doesn't matter just don't tell me something you can't be bothered to find out for yourself.