I missed Dan Brown's books with that thinking. I avoided those silly Goosebumps books as a kid. It also keeps me firmly away from TV. I think a big part of it

I missed Dan Brown's books with that thinking. I avoided those silly Goosebumps books as a kid. It also keeps me firmly away from TV. I think a big part of it is that I really don't like discussing books/movies with other people. I know that is odd. I just like to have the story in my head and interpret it as I please, without having to hash it over with everyone else in the world. It's paid off for Harry Potter. I get perverse enjoyment out of rejecting my girlfriend's sister's desire to discuss whether such and such character is in love with such and such other character. Since I haven't read it, she won't ramble at me for more than a couple seconds. I fully plan on reading it someday, once the furor dies down and there is no risk of having a coversation about it. ;)