I think they're good for people who don't know where to start with reading (can't find something they like, etc.) but for people who already love reading, ti can be annoying when the books aren't good or they don't leave time to read what you want to read. That being said, I've never actually had required reading.
Can someone explain to me the origin of the Pat Buchanan joke? I can remember it for as long as I've been on YWS but I can't remember where it came from!
"Many people hear voices when no-one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing." -Meg Chittenden
