Books: What are books but odd bricks of paper we are supposed to read in order to pass our exams? A pile of books brings the top-shelf liquor into reach. They provide a quick scrap of paper to jot down a phone number – endless possibilities. Ask anybody over 40, however, and they will be completely ignorant of the myriad of uses of books. Such a diverse tool and at least half of America is completely unaware of the most practical functions. Even your crazy Aunt Madeleine will advocate the use of books for, gasp, reading. Professors actually expect their students to read. Grandmothers who give copies of Little Women to their grandchildren on their birthdays have the audacity to ask, “Did you read it yet?” only weeks later. So na