By Nick Reiher

To write well, one must read. A lot.

Even before I decided writing would be my life’s work, I loved to read. Most anything.

Comic books, mostly Marvel, where I learned a lot of cool words, like “spore,” “suspended animation” and about the Van Allen Radiation Belt. And those tight-fitting suits on the women superheroes were a bonus.

Books of all sorts. My grown son Andy recently said his favorite book as a youngster was “Cowboy Andy.” (Go figure). Funny thing, it was one of mine, too, in part because the nasty ranch cook would make flapjacks.

When I was 9 or 10, I pulled a copy of “The Robe” to buy. One lady said that was too “old” for me and challenged me to read a few words. She gave up after I read a paragraph or two.

I was fortunate to attend Gordon Tech High School, where I would be taught by some of the finest minds proficient in literature: Mr. Perrin, who learned us some of the classics of Shakespeare (As well as the cool info that anything by Emily Dickenson could be read to the tune of “Yellow Rose of Texas); Mr. Dermody, who was fond of Jack London (and mentored us student journalists); and Mr. Conlon, who gave us some of the finer points of reading and writing as it becomes a way of life (and made me rewrite my application essay to Northwestern until it was worthy).

I minored in literature at Northwestern, where though I majored in journalism, my favorite classes were in Shakespeare, and Greek tragedies and comedies. Ibsen, Faulkner, Hemmingway and O’Neill were there, too.

While I devoured these classics, I yearned for the day when I could read for enjoyment; not for a grade. I was able to do that for a while after graduation, focusing my attention on how to write better for journalism, with such teachers as William Safire and James Kilpatrick.

I studied Royko and Tom Fitzpatrick, Bob Greene, Roger Simon and even Gary Deeb, the TV critic popular in the 1970s and ‘80s.

I was able to study many writers as editorial page editor of the Herald News in Joliet. One of whom I was especially proud was Pulitzer Prize winner Eugene Robinson. I was told the Herald News was the first paper in the country to run his syndicated column. I hope that’s true.

Unfortunately, all good things must be put on hold, I hope temporarily.

I spend most of my days, and a good number of evenings, reading stories and potential stories emailed to me. Sometimes, Facebook might actually elicit a nugget that could turn into a story. Not very often, but …

By evening, when people like to chew a good book after dinner, I just can’t devour another word. I’ve had it. I have some wonderful books waiting for me to get my appetite back: one on Van Gogh written by an author who visited the asylum where the artist created many of his works; a Raymond Chandler boxed set I requested for Christmas years ago; and a biography of Admiral Nimitz, whom I consider among the greatest leaders of World War II.

All stare at me in the peach crate shelves my wife bought and my daughter arranged. Like toys forgotten weeks after Christmas. As I watch NCIS reruns or my sports teams, if I can stomach the anxiety.

I am getting to the age where putting things off until a better time can get sketchy. So, soon, I’ll delve into those waiting treats, maybe several at a time.

A banquet of creativity. Music for the eyes and soul.

I will. I promise.

Nick Reiher is editor of Farmers Weekly Review.