There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a

rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2,

to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the

manuscript of his forthcoming book. No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2

admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.

-- Mark Twain, "Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar"