“When I was in prison I was wrapped up in all those deep books. That Tolstoy crap. People shouldn't read that stuff. ”

“I like reading Ball Tongue lyrics and all that stuff. And they published a book, and I wouldn't give my lyrics, and it's all wrong in the book, and I giggle. It's funny.”

Jonathan Davis (1971) Heavy metal singer, frontman for Korn

“I read all these books and I had the feeling that just reading things is not enough. I also wanted to create my own stuff, to create something new.”

Caucher Birkar (1978) Kurdish mathematician

“I can read books and news articles about people who have excelled, people who have done extremely well in their chosen field, or made a lot of money, or married well, or what have you. When some people read this stuff, they get inspired, but when I read it, it makes me feel worse. Sometimes I wish I had never learned to read.”

John S. Hall (1960) Poet, author, singer, lawyer

“I've just been reading -- stuff to make your hair curl -- you go in that toilet -- that's the sort of stuff people read -- not this sort of thing -- don't you feel out of touch? Does this stuff make money? I bet you're the only person to have read this book -- but I bet you every man in this restaurant has had a read of that stuff in there… makes you think, doesn't it?”

Peter Greenaway (1942) British film director

“I read stuff. Books are not my only friends, but we’re friendly. So there.”

Maria Dahvana Headley (1977) American writer

“When I read a book, I put in all the imagination I can, so that it is almost like writing the book as well as reading it - or rather, it is like living it. It makes reading so much more exciting, but I don't suppose many people try to do it.”

Dodie Smith book I Capture the Castle

“I read myths and fairy tales and books about them a great deal now, but I very seldom read novels. I find modern novels bore me. I can read Tolstoy and the Russians, but mostly I read comparative mythology and comparative religion. I need matter to carry with me.”

P. L. Travers (1899–1996) Australian-British novelist, actress and journalist

“I've read a lot of books, so I know bunches of stuff that sounds like it could be true.”

Brian Andreas (1956) American artist

“I was reading the Book of Job. / People I knew came and went, / I read their book, / the seasons turned away, / I had been reading for a long time. / I was quiet. Not a single leaf to be seen. / I looked up: it had gone dark on me, / that star / in the middle of the sentence: // Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?”

Mirkka Rekola (1931–2014) Finnish writer