Read any good books lately? I have. Lots, in fact. But I've discovered that the definition of "good book" depends on who you ask.

A recent Harris Poll asked about 2,500 Americans to name their favorite books. Across all ages and ethnicities, the clear winner was the Bible. The No. 2 selection varied widely, but among the top 10 titles are "Gone with the Wind," "Harry Potter," "The Da Vinci Code," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Catcher in the Rye."

Of the poll's top 10, only the Bible would make my favorites list, although "To Kill a Mockingbird" would certainly be in the running. Part of what makes it such a difficult decision for me is that I've read so many classic, or literary, books lately.

It started about five years ago, when I was reading dozens of popular paperbacks because of a heavy travel schedule that had me spending way too much time on airplanes with nothing better to do. I decided I would periodically expand my literary horizons by reading — or rereading — classic titles.

My first choice was John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." Since then, I've read 35 others.

Some I've loved. Some I've simply slogged my way through to reach the end and, some (Jane Austen), I've loathed. But whether I've loved them or hated them, I learned something from every one of the books, and that seems like ample justification for the pursuit.

I've also learned something about myself in the process. As I look over my list, I realize I'm a little more open-minded than I used to be. My children would probably not agree with this self-assessment, but I know it's true, at least as it applies to literature. I found myself as deeply involved with Saul Bellow, Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thomson as I was with Shakespeare, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Charles Dickens.

As my list grew, I began to return to certain authors. I've read four books by Ernest Hemingway, three by Steinbeck and three by my favorite, Mark Twain — although Twain should probably get credit for five since I've read one of them, "Roughing It," three times.

Currently, I'm reading "The Jungle Books" by Kipling, "Oil!" by Upton Sinclair and, once again, "Roughing It." I have no plans to stop this literary journey I'm on, and that's kind of my point when it comes to picking out my favorite books. I would hate to pick out a favorite because I'm always hoping the next one will be my new favorite (although I recognize Mr. Twain seems to have the early votes).

Picking a favorite is difficult, but how do you know if you don't read it? And that may be the problem; adults aren't reading books like they used to.

Another Harris Poll, this one reported in USA Today, found that 9 percent of U.S. adults don't read even one book in a typical year. An additional 23 percent reported reading from one to three in a year. That's one-third of American adults. This leads me to wonder, who are all those people in line ahead of me at Barnes & Noble?

I'm glad to have seen the "favorite books" poll, though. I hope it will inspire people to read more and to discuss the books that impact their lives. And maybe we can bump that "books per year" number up a little. If you want to get started, I recommend "Roughing It."

— Contact Star columnist Bill Nash at bnash805@aol.com.