Does Reading Even Matter?

Every time I hear someone say they hate reading, my heart contracts. It's almost like saying, "I hate breathing," or "I hate drinking water." Recreational reading is something I do whenever I get the chance. I always need a book on my nightstand, just for comfort. saying "I hate reading" is like saying "I hate imagination."

Graham Nash is judging you for not reading

Reading (especially fiction) is an important aspect of life. It allows a person to dive into an imaginary world where they can explore new ideas, new adventures, new scenarios. Reading both fiction and nonfiction is an educational experience, but if you're really enjoying it, it doesn't feel like education. It's important for someone who wishes to be well versed, cultured, and intelligent. It allows you to experience different view points. Information is waiting to be unlocked inside of every book.
Without reading, my summers would be very dull. Summer, for me, is all about picking up a book and reading it, with no deadline, or assignment. I'm not a good swimmer, so I go to the beach to read. I can't remember a summer of my life where I didn't read on the beach at Montauk. Even when I went to Europe last summer I brought the smallest copy of Gone With The Wind I could find (the size always shocks people, but it's not a challenging book). A summer would not be the same without a book out in front of me. It helps calm me and occupy me.
I've tried many times to understand the whole "I hate reading" thing. I can understand hating to read things assigned to you in school because there's always work that goes with them. But that's no reason to hate reading in general. Reading, to me is almost like watching a film. It's just a story line to follow, to entertain you and occupy your time. How can that be so painful?
Does reading even matter? Yes! It matters a great deal. You can live thousands of lives if you read books. You can learn, and laugh, and cry, and love. Why? Why do some people hate reading? It makes me sad.