Generally speaking, books don't cause much harm. Except when you read them, that is. Then they cause all kinds of problems.

...books were better than travel.

No wandering minds allowed.

Before we do, I suggest you take a break. If you need to go to the bathroom, this is a good time. If you're sleepy, go to bed and save the next chapter for tomorrow. For the magician's story, you must have all your wits about you. No wandering minds allowed.

Oh, talking is not so bad as that," said the Jester. "True, most people say only silly things when they speak. But it's easier to ignore them if you're saying silly things yourself.

I ate him," said the homunculus, biting into his sausage. The kids couldn't hide their looks of horror. He smiled, sausage juice running down his chin. "Oh, don't worry - I cooked him first. I'm not a barbarian.

Truth is only stranger than fiction if you're a stranger to the truth. Which means you're either a liar or you're fictional.