I tear up letters and notes when I'm done reading them , its all pretty much a motor reflex thing and one of my biggest fears is doing it in front of someone who just gave me the note and offending them.

I like to read under the covers, but the light has to be on in the room.

I tear the tab off soda cans. You just wiggle it back and forth until the aluminum weakens enough that it just comes off. I've done it for as long as I can remember.