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Unfortunately, in the world of books as well as the larger world, human beings often create artificial divisions. Sometimes, even in the academic world of which I am a part and which I love, there are those who would try to dictate what the best books are and what you should read. Sometimes books that come from genres are considered less than so-called literary books, and I completely disagree with that assessment.

In his “Newberry Medal Acceptance Speech,” following the text of his wonderful novel The Graveyard Book, Mr. Gaiman speaks to the question of what books to read.

He says, “It was as if some people believed there was a divide between the books that you were permitted to enjoy and the books that were good for you, and I was expected to choose sides. We were all expected to choose sides. And I didn’t…