To be "well-read" a person must read a wide variety of books. I devour books. I have read anything from the great classics, to science fiction, to medical journal, and also romance. I think the only criteria for being a great book is that the novel is widely read and loved. End of discussion. Those who look down their noses at the differnt types of books act either out of ignorance or out of guilt for having read and enjoyed something different or with less snob appeal. I got my start reading at the age of 5 and never looked back.I love romance, mysteries, science fiction and a well written "normal" best seller. I don;t care to have people like Orpah push books. Those novels are hyped for the "oh look at me and what I an reading, I am so hip, appeal! Yuck!