Roger Willemsen and the books - that was a rousing love, high-spirited and intense. Hardly anyone today talks about reading as funny, openly and at the same time deeply serious as he did, regardless of whether he criticizes or raves, pays homage or illuminates. Clever like no other, Willemsen portrays great authors, tells of fairy tales and analyzes the obscene in an essay of high topicality. He sets up '10 rules for readers', gives more than seventy very specific book recommendations and mocks the literary business after having lived through book fair nights. Sparkling with wit and spirit, he subjects literary studies to a fundamental critique and formulates what is necessary on the subject of 'literature and human rights'. This unique book shows Willemsen in his books. It is the sum of a reading life and a living library.