Some families are like that, where only serious literature is condoned or worth discussing in the house. And some kids don't read for fun at all, but get into a fairly academic approach to literature as early as Middle School, which continues as college prep in High School.

I guess you know a lot more academics than I do. I don't know a single person who was raised that way.

I'm going to remain surprised that Raq's step-sister has never read a mystery, though.

I do know people who were raised on serious books and only read "literary" novels and nonfiction. Some of them talk about reading like it's a dose of medicine.

I guess you know a lot more academics than I do.

Well, some but I don't know if I know more than you. That was just what I felt in college, and how my professors talked about their educations.

What megan is describing is what I experienced. Reading wasn't a matter of fun or pleasure. It was a tool for deeper inquiry etc. And that approach preceded college. I mean, I read more novels the year after I got out of college than I did at any point in my life because I was so hungry to read for pleasure and read what I wanted.

Anyway, a lot of people don't come to Ph.D.'s in English because they love reading. More often it's because they love studying and researching the subject.

I've never read anything by Agatha Christie.

Also, David, you should at least read And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Express. And maybe The Murder of Roger Ackroyd for good measure.

Some of them talk about reading like it's a dose of medicine.

Right. It's like the ethical responsibility of an educated person. It's a very different cultural presumption.

Also, David, you should at least read And Then There Were None

Didn't the Butler do it?

and Murder on the Orient Express.

I saw that!

Miss Marple rules. I like "The Mirror Crack'd."

Bleak House is also in some ways considered the precursor to the detective novel.

I knew there was a Dickens that was relevant but I couldn't come up with it. Possibly because I haven't read it.

I really don't like Miss Marple (the character). Some of her mysteries are okay, but they aren't my favorites.

Okay, I lied. I started thinking about my Top Ten and two of them are Miss Marple mysteries.

Top Ten Agatha Christies:
A Murder is Announced
The A.B.C. Murders
And Then There Were None
The Man in the Brown Suit (I realize this is completely irrational but there it is)
Murder at Hazelmoor
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Murder on the Orient Express
N or M? (I love Tommy and Tuppence)
What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?