I can emmerse myself in the story, there is an element of "me" in what i am reading and even though the words are there, a large amount of the story will be due to my own interpretation. You don't get that with the telly Also, i can pause to contemplate what i have just read, ok, so i know there is a pause button, but its not the same! When i am reading i am in another world and when i close the book, that other world is still real. Thoughts of what is happening in the book will entertain me/haunt me/trouble me/make me smile during the day, like it is part of my life. BBut i don't have to get stressed or anxious about it.
That's why i like to read - why do you?