I mentioned in my profile that my all-time favorite teacher was Otto Hill.  There were lots of reasons I loved Mr. Hill, but one of the main ones was that he introduced me to reading for pure pleasure.  Most of the reading I had done prior to the 8th or 9th grade was required by some class (history, social studies, ugh!).  I recall going to the library (which was beautifully run by his lovely wife) at the appointed library time to get a book.  When I complained to him about the books and nothing looking interesting, he went to the book shelves and pulled about five books down and told me to take them home and get my Mother's approval before I checked them out.  These were not Nancy Drew books, but adult books with love and action, and mystery (they didn't allow sex and violence at that time).  From that time on, I had my nose in a novel whenever I had a spare moment.