I've taken up a lot of space on our website writing about how important music is to me so it probably comes as no surprise that books and reading are equally important to me as well. It's something I find myself saying on the air quite a lot when a song moves me in a particular way…that great songs are nothing more than great stories that happen to be set to music.

Now that I'm a grown-up (allegedly) my tastes tend to run toward short fiction and biography reading. But in the absence of either of those, I'll read anything that I can get my hands on: magazines, cereal boxes, the instructions on the shampoo bottle...you get the picture.

Despite the fact that we're now, for better or worse, mired deep in the throws of the golden age of technology, I still find it true that the most intelligent people I meet, the ones who are well-versed in a variety of subjects, the ones who are great conversationalists, the ones who I feel compelled to talk to over and over again are the ones who are passionate readers. It's possible that I'm slightly biased on this subject, but even from the most objective standpoint I can muster, I really think it's true.

A writer who has absolute control and mastery of the language is able to unlock parts of ourselves and truths about humanity that would otherwise remain hidden...all with something as simple as words written on a page. Once our earliest ancestors gained some mastery of language, what did they do? They started writing and drawing pictures on cave walls. Was it to gussy up the house or impress the neighbors? No. It was in order to tell their stories to those who came after them. In a lot of ways I think it's just human instinct.

The first book I was able to read on my own was called "Mr. Pine's Mixed-Up Signs". I know this not because I actually remember being able to read the book on my own, but because this achievement was celebrated as a major landmark by my parents, and my Aunt, and my Grandmother who all read to me until I was able to read for myself.

When my Aunt cleaned out her house several years ago, she happened to find a worn copy of "Mr. Pine's Mixed-Up Signs", which she sent on to my parents. And when they cleaned out their house, they decided to send it along to me. Inside the front cover, my Dad wrote "2-9-97: Cleaning off the shelf in your old room and guess what showed up. Can't throw this out!! This is the first book you could read by yourself and you read it over, and over, and over. Enjoy. Love Mom and Dad".

So now I've got this book on my shelf, 1500 miles and 30 odd years away from where I grew up. I read to my 3-year-old every night, and just imagine how special it will be when I read to him "Mr. Pine's Mixed-Up Signs". Or better yet, when he reads it himself.

That's what's important to me about books. That's what's important about keeping Denver Public Libraries strong. Thanks to everyone who helped with our Radio-A-Thon. And thanks for taking the time to read.

Here is the link to the company that publishes Mr. Pine's Mixed Up Signs, and info on the author Leonard Kessler,Purple House Press. My cool cousin Charlie read this story on the Mountain Website and found the link. He also sent me a Mr Pine watch pictured on the web page. He's sooooo cool.

Mike Casey