This fascinating little article offers a brief history of reading, from its origins in Mesopotamia to the idea of works being written specifically to be read aloud (Hey, Herodotus!) to the printing press. But most importantly, there is a whole section in the article dedicated to historical libraries. Ranging from Assyria to Alexandria and discussing the advent of cataloging, this section also showcases how lending libraries greatly revolutionized reading for the common people. And lastly, a very interesting section on reading as rebellion which highlights not only how powerful the written word is but how authority figures have used that power to oppress marginalized groups.