read?

i just finished yet another book and started a new one.(ha that makes me sound like quite a reader which i'm not... but yes even though i dont read too much its something i'd do instead of nothing)
the subjects i read are varied...anything light works.
as i put down the last book i wondered how what i read influences me? its either a whole new world, somthing i've never come across,was never exposed to.. or its another dimension to the line of thought i had about something.depending on the skill of the writer my point of views get influenced by varying degrees.well is'nt that the objective they had in mind when they started printing? to influence the point of view? to tell people what they not aware of?
on after thoughts...
do WELL WRITTEN books expand your thinking? or do they block it?