Why does ‘what are you reading’ always have to be a loaded question? When most people deliver those four simple words, they are usually dripping in subtext. In actuality, they are not trying to find out what particular book you are reading—they are trying to assess your intelligence. Or your sense of irony. And most likely, how good you are in bed.

Have you ever seen the look on someone’s face when you tell them you’re reading something by Dean Koontz? Or James Patterson? Or Dan Brown? You can smell the disdain. It is as if you have not only just admitted to having horrible taste, but you’ve somehow disgraced the entire history of  reading.

So people lie. They say, “oh, I’m in-between books right now.” Or if they actually get caught with a book that’s not on the approved-reading list, they’ll say “I’m just reading this drug-store trash to pass the time on the train.”

Me, I really don’t care what you think. I like a bunch of stuff by Dean Koontz. I’ve enjoyed a few James Patterson books in my day. And I loves me some good old fashioned code-cracking, courtesy of Dan Brown.

Sure once in a while, I’ll sneak in something a little more ‘party-friendly’ like a Nick Hornby novel or an obscure piece of non-fiction. And sometimes, I may even like it. But don’t tell anyone. I’ve got an image to protect.

- TJ Bennett