Disclaimer: You absolutely do NOT have to do what I tell you.
I get it. There are some things that just aren't for you. But there are so many ways you can benefit from reading books. Some people think reading means being forced to educate yourself, and when anyone mentions anything remotely close to learning, so many people get immediately put off. I don't know why though, usually people like things that solely benefit themselves. But by all means, keep on pretending '"not caring" and nonchalance is cool.
Reading helps. It helps with these things and more.
+ Education. The obvious one. Reading can open your awareness for topics that don't personally effect you. And if you do it in a setting where reading isn't mandatory, you can choose the topic. Whether they're topics that hold controversy, or unique ones where it's always been something that has caught your eye. Or you can apply the topic to yourself. The world is constantly evolving; you can learn about topics that don't effect your world. You can also learn about history so that it doesn't repeat itself. That should be enough of a reason, but of course people need more substance to a reason than the blatantly obvious. But that is exactly how reading is incorporated again. You can sell an argument easier if you know more about it, and especially if you know the side that counters it.
+ Art Appreciation. Knowing that there are so many people that come before you that have an inclination to tell a fictitious or nonfictional story is heartwarming. This story mattered so much to the person that they took time out of their life to stop and dwell and develop. It's a piece of their brain that they offered to everyone else. And we see this with music as well. People take a moment to broadcast their troubles, what makes them happy, what needs more awareness, and we listen because it's catchy. That's appreciating someone's artwork. And writers deserve just as much recognition. Coming from a lover of music and reading and writing, I can appreciate the reason why people might love all three. And it makes sense for music to be more popular. People need flashy images and tones, a beat that correlates with their heart, a voice that melts their bodies. Reading doesn't do that. Or so you thought. It does this, but you can choose the accompaniment and how it's interpreted in your head. It's all a matter of interpretation and dedication to it even for a second.
+ Focus. I've heard the excuses of "I can't pay attention to a book long enough," "I don't have patience," I don't know what interests me." Stop. You've told yourself that so many times that your brain starts to believe it. You've had authorities like teachers and parents jam it into your brain to read, and you loathed listening to that so you've done the absolute opposite since. Imagine what would happen if you took the time to center just a few minutes on reading. If you took a breath, picked up the novel, and sat in a chair or on your bed and let the words seep into your head. Drowned noise, personal discomfort, and personal thoughts out of your head. Listened to what this person had to say, retained it, and found a way to take from it. Taking miscellaneous knowledge that you could use in future situations! It's like screenshotting a picture and sending it to a friend at the right time. Why does reading have to be any different? People can read in different environments; with music on or off, alone or with people surrounding, in public places or in your room. Pick your preference and meditate with other people's words.
+ Self Realization. This one is vital! And takes time to get a hold of and conquer. And sometimes life allows you to lose bearing of it. This is an actual psychological progress. Realizing what you did in a situation, or knowing how to censor yourself so that you're not inappropriate in all the wrong situations. The mentality where people tell themselves "If they don't like me for me, then they can [finish the phrase]!" is not going to get you anywhere. People aren't going to like you everywhere. Don't make them feel bad for it. So that mentality in a way is helpful, but in the sense where you move on and don't let it deteriorate who you are. But taking this mindset and misconstruing it is exactly what reading can help avoid. You can read about people with different cultures; different ways of going about life and why they choose to live this way. And you can be held accountable for your actions and rise above everything because you can understand why they do it so you know not to do it or to do exactly that. You can realize who you are and run with it. Run into success and understanding. Not ignorance and failure.
+ Hobby Recognition. Don't be the person who doesn't know what their hobby is when people ask. Don't be the person who doesn't know what they care about. Reading can help with that: as I've stressed so many times in this entry. Read about snowboarding; find the nearest accessible mountain and store to buy a snowboard and teach yourself how. Read about a singer with personal struggles; realize you can overcome what you've got going on and proceed to audition for things so that you can do what you love. Read about homicides and how a detective goes about it; have a sudden urge to major in Criminal Justice in college and go on to solve cases like the one you read about. Make hobbies mandatory. It provides substance your life without screwing it up trying to fill voids with the wrong things. Doing that is an epidemic, it kind of has been but people have been more silent about it. Reading is an easy outlet that provides the door you didn't know you could open.
I'm going to go read now, and I'll leave this with you. I'n currently reading Mindhunter. If you ever need any suggestions, ask people!
"The only stupid question is the one left unasked." -Unknown
[Photo is unintentional. Came across it looking up the quote above and thought it would confuse some because isn't music not the topic of this entry? It's not, but the real thing we must take into consideration are metaphors. If you can't hear the music, the content, the information at play, then you're out of the loop and you're left to be biased, prejudice, or just simply ignorant. Educate yourself, don't be scared to! https://trans4mind.com/quotes/quotes-humor.html]