Victory Soap v. 2.0

Plus, it was a HUBBARD novel, for the love of God.

I tried to read one of those in 8th grade or so, based on the cover, and I couldn't get past 5 pages before already feeling dumber for having read that far. And this was before I was aware of any of the Scientology stuff. It read like the rambling, childish scribblings that eventually formed the basis of his fake religion.

Which books count as "real" ones?

Dickens was serialized "pulp" of his day, wasn't he? How about Dumas?

I don't see why a prospective President's favourite book shouldn't be something, well, fun.

(Now, if the question was "best book" or "most thought-inducing book", there might be more to say...)

Yes, I hate you now for disparaging Heinlein because I was going to write a post on exactly that subject, how I used to love his work but that it now comes off as having characters that would be considered over exaggerated for manga. I read The Number of the Beast and haven't been able to read anything of his since.

T'ain't nothing wrong with disparaging Heinlein. I'm certain that he would agree with your sentiments, as Heinlein generally outgrew himself. If you can stand it, you might read his "Grumbles From The Grave", a posthumous compilation of his notes and letters.

But, y'know, if you see an angry mob approaching your residence, you might want to look for an escape route.....

It is also possible that he has not read a novel in ages, forgot the prepared answer and just couldn´t remember anything else. So what. I would think these people are far too busy to read novels. I would expect our leaders to read nonfiction, so when you become House Intelligence Committee Chairman and someone asks you whether al Qaeda is shia or sunni, you don´t screw up.

Romney should have said: " Robert E. Lee didn´t read novels or plays because they weaken the mind. I agree with the general." That would have gone over really well.

Heh. As much as I love to read, I agree with Lee. I'm the proof...