I did not make a statement on reading, but on social perception where I'm from. Reading is nice, I have many thick books myself and I love(d) them, and it's a sustainable hobby in my perspective of social relations because the majority of people here tend to have a negative experience with reading, not being a thing of their own volition, but a requirement, especially on content they don't even care about. Therefore, if, say, you're a child, and your parents see you reading, they're less likely to throw a fit than if you were playing Counter Strike or something.