To think being a reader doesn't make you better or smarter?

[OnceaReaderNeveraReader]

Never been a reader. I have tried many times in my life and have enjoyed the odd book here and there but have never managed to actually become a regular reader and don't miss books ever. I was talking about this with some colleagues the other day and one of them made me feel a bit bad about this as if reading is a sign of better intellectual ability and superiority.
I am uni educated and enjoy a variety of other cultural hobbies such as art, theatre and dance but I just cannot understand what is so special about books!
How does one become a reader later in life and is it really that bad if I don't enjoy it?

I have always loved reading and for me making sure I carried on reading after having DS was essential because I wanted to model good habits both for reading and relaxing.

I think reading helps keep you literate, helps with spelling, grammar etc but that doesn’t mean if someone reads then they are better than someone else. My dh has adhd and he’s never read in his life, he can’t get into them or concentrate, but he will hyper focus and read about something on his phone obsessively. My mom has never read a novel, she will read the sun instead 🤦‍♀️😆

Imagination is key here. Visual media does not involve imagination in the same way.

@ChocolateCinderToffee

Another thing: if you're very intelligent and you don't read, where's the outlet for your mind? Writing?

DH is intelligent and has a high powered job and rarely reads (even a newspaper). His way of unwinding is through keeping fit, walking the dog and sport - playing and watching. He spent many years coaching as a volunteer. He will watch films or some dramas but he's not a big TV watcher - he does the occasional jigsaw puzzle! He doesn't seem to need another outlet for his mind

We’re all different/unique and there’s a wide range of ways people think/feel/live

I don't think it makes you better but I do think it makes you more knowledgeable. I read all the time and I learn so much, this shows in crosswords, quizzes and general conversations. Whether it be history, geography, general knowledge, there is always something to learn from a good book.