Something about turning a paper page is more appealing than flipping (if that is what you do) an electronic page on a reader. The latest number is that over half of Americans read e-books and publishers are trying to get out of the paper book bid-ness.

“Encyclopaedia Britannica” published paper volumes for over two hundred years but no more. EB has gone purely electronic but I don't know if the price is still $1,395.00.

I want you to have a good summer and take time to read. Longer days mean you can end your day in the swing with a book.

There is a transportation system that moves books around to libraries. If a book appeals to you it can be ordered by and delivered to your local library within days.

However, there are some books you should NOT read. Don't read them, don't look at the cover, don't finger the thing, don't open the dust jacket.

“The Next Second After,” speculative fiction by William R. Forstchen, is based upon science, possibilities and consequences. There is greater danger of a debilitating nuke attack today than in the sixties but it isn't a blast to level cities.

What did the current president do with the missile shield? Don't read “The Next Second After.” Your congressman doesn't want to hear from you on this.

Election day is close and there is no point in getting your panties wadded over the connection between voting and our economy; elections (votes) have consequences.

“Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand, is also a work of speculative fiction published in 1957. The title comes from the ancient myth that the earth was held on the shoulders of Atlas. You've seen a statue of Atlas holding up the world. If ole Atlas sneezed or shrugged it would upset the whole world.

“Atlas” stayed on the NYT bestseller list for twenty-two weeks. It is still a hot seller. Don't read “Atlas Shrugged.” Your congressman doesn't want to hear from you on this.

“Wheat Belly” was not written by a nutritionist or belly dancer but a real doctor. William Davis is a “preventive cardiologist,” a recognized medical specialty that does what it says. A cardiologist is a heart doc. “Wheat Belly” is a book not a diet but there might be one associated with it.

Dr. Davis discovered, by accident, the relationship between eating products made from modern, genetically modified wheat and various diseases and health problems. He compares moving from white bread to “whole grain” bread as about the same as a smoker switching to filtered cigarettes. Everything contains wheat, almost.

Don't read “Wheat Belly.” You're as healthy as you want to be and your congressman doesn't want to hear from you on this.

Instead read “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka.

Yeah, it's on my summer list too.

Joe Phillips writes his “Dear me” columns for several small newspapers. He has many connections to Walker County, including his grandfather, former superintendent Waymond Morgan. He can be reached at joenphillips@hotmail.com.