This is why library staff wash their hands so much.

The Guardian: Is reading on the loo bad for you?

Microbes don’t fare too well on absorbent surfaces, and might survive only minutes on newspaper. But plastic book covers and those shiny, smooth surfaces of Kindles, iPhones and iPads are more accommodating, and it’s likely bugs can live on those for hours.

Working in a library, handling all those recently returned books, you try not to think about this sort of thing too often.

Finally, Shaoul concluded that reading on the toilet is widespread, alleviates boredom, and is ultimately harmless. This rings true to Curtis. “I always have New Scientist by the toilet. I use it as distraction therapy. I don’t particularly want to think about crapping.”

Well, who does?

Thanks to Iain Broome for reminding me where all those books have been.