Reading may be just another form of "time-wasting" but it requires far more focus and brain activity than watching television and it doesn't have a fast reward

Reading may be just another form of "time-wasting" but it requires far more focus and brain activity than watching television and it doesn't have a fast reward feedback loop like video games or physical activity. For many people sitting down to read a book takes less energy and focus than the other activities but for many (or even most) others the lack of external stimuli and social engagement means reading requires more of an investment. Books are no more or less useful than other communication medium, they just require different parts of the brain to engage.