docs: def read_file(filename, prepend_paths=[]):
    """
    Returns the contents of *filename* (UTF-8).
  
    If *prepend_paths* is set, join those before the *fielname*.
    If it is `True`, prepend the path to `setup.py`.
  
    """
    if prepend_paths is True:
      prepend_paths = [
        os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__)),
      ]
    if prepend_paths:
      prepend_paths.append(filename)
      filename = os.path.join(*prepend_paths)
    print(filename)
    with open(filename, encoding='utf-8') as f:
      return f.read()