Who tells you what to Read?

Originally posted on thegiantsquill:

Are we conditioned at an early age to appreciate some literature over others? Some of my earliest memories of childhood reading occurred in the school library during the first grade. We were called alphabetically to choose a book to bring home and read for the week. Although there were at least four small shelves full of colourful, and probably exciting, picture books, everyone in the class desired the ���Arthur��� series. Unfortunately there were only a few ever in the library and they would be snatched up long before my name was called. There was a sense of pride attached to obtaining an Arthur book, and a disappointment if you missed the opportunity. I felt this disappointment often, while having to reluctantly settle on something else. Why is it, at such a young age, we find ourselves influenced to read certain books, to place them in a hierarchy? Of course, in���

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