Ignorance is not at all a sickness of the mind, but a permanent and inevitable state, since, as Edison said, none of us can ever know even one millionth of one percent of reality. But books also can indicate something beyond a desire for information, namely an openness to the pleasure and beauty of literature. Ethan talks, among other things, about experiences which have no meaning beyond themselves. These are, of course the most meaningful of all experiences, because their meaning is inherent, and not derived from their pointing to something more meaningful than themselves. Peak experiences are about things that are not symbols or codes or references, but that one enjoys and loves purely for their own sake.
Reading can partake of both characteristics.
If one reads subtitles to help interpret what is going on in an anime idea, these subtitles have no significance of their own, their only significance is their relationship to the visual story. On the other hand, if one reads J.K. Rowling or W. B. Yeats, one reads for the pleasure intrinsic to that literature. Children's minds develop in stages, as Piaget has so forcefully pointed out. Unfortunately very many people have had some or even all of their potential capabilities suppressed rather than developed by their education. My perspective was somewhat different.