I’ve always loved to read, and used to consume them by the pound, almost. 600 pages, couple of days. Alot of information I have found valuable in my life came from reading for pleasure.
Having said that most “important literature” is dry as sand. IMHO, such emphasis on “the classics” is undeserved and unnecessary fluff to drive up tuition costs.
I remember train trips from coast to coast for business several times a year. I’d carry what books I could and I’d have to mail them home from intermediate stations and rebuy to make it to the end of the trip. My image of mother will always be with a book in her hands.