I think there are several arguments for it.
The converse a desire not to read is obviously a negative as it is one of the fastest ways we can assimilate information.
Before the internet and videos reading was one of the most efficient ways you could learn, be it actual non-fiction texts or the expanding the mind type fiction. (I'd argue it still is, but I'd guess it's arguable about reading fiction). So we still burn a candle for the heights reading reached as an intellectual pursuit.
Another reason it may be lauded is the positive signaling that can be associated with it. Off the top of my head it would indicate: the fact you have time to read, that you are able to focus for long enough to read, that you can be stimulated by purely mental pursuits, (arguably) that you will spend time finding books to read rather than just watch whatever the latest advertisement told you to, (arguably) that you have an interest in some of humanities greatest works.
This is off the top of my head and certainly you could argue that reading books (especially fiction, though studies have shown fiction to improve empathy) is no longer as important. Certainly you could argue that people may read books that have no inherent value but even that low bar would be worth encouraging as it would still encourage those around them to read in (perhaps) a more productive way.
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I think there are several arguments for it. The converse a desire not to read is obviously a negative as it is one of the fastest ways we can assimilate information.
Before the internet and videos reading was one of the most efficient ways you could learn, be it actual non-fiction texts or the expanding the mind type fiction. (I'd argue it still is, but I'd guess it's arguable about reading fiction). So we still burn a candle for the heights reading reached as an intellectual pursuit.
Another reason it may be lauded is the positive signaling that can be associated with it. Off the top of my head it would indicate: the fact you have time to read, that you are able to focus for long enough to read, that you can be stimulated by purely mental pursuits, (arguably) that you will spend time finding books to read rather than just watch whatever the latest advertisement told you to, (arguably) that you have an interest in some of humanities greatest works.
This is off the top of my head and certainly you could argue that reading books (especially fiction, though studies have shown fiction to improve empathy) is no longer as important. Certainly you could argue that people may read books that have no inherent value but even that low bar would be worth encouraging as it would still encourage those around them to read in (perhaps) a more productive way.