When I was 9 years old my mother bought me 'The Chronicles of Narnia' as a birthday present. It was the first time (with the exception of the Bible of course:) I can recall actually enjoying a book. Soon after that I immersed myself in the complete works of Issac Asimov and Aesops fables. Imagination is an essential tool for writers of fiction. This obviously includes song-writers as well as the authors of books, theatrical plays and film. Unlike the latter though, a book doesn't try to HELP you paint pictures. A well written book encourages you to dig deep into your own experiences and paint your own. We're talking two people, same book, different take. And that my friend, is why you can't beat a good read.