In a socially just world, everyone would have an equal chance to become an enthusiastic reader. This article presents a detailed 'asset map' of a successful reading life and investigates three necessary components for creating readers: access, choice and time to read. Access to books, the chance and the requisite knowledge to choose reading materials of genuine interest, and time to read and thus to develop reading stamina are all vital to reading success. Although they sound simple enough to supply, access, choice and time to read are all currently under attack. The provision of public and school libraries is threatened in many countries; in the absence of easy access to libraries, young people consequently have much less opportunity to practice book selection in a low-stakes environment; and many classroom activities ironically limit reading time in favour of exercises and seatwork. Those working for socially just literacy options and affordances must decide on the most productive use of energy and resources to pursue a more level playing field; access, choice and time to read are necessary conditions of reading success.