I read because I have and had extreme astigmatism. My parents and the school were unaware for several years-- I couldn't see the board but because kids with glasses were picked on, I hid it.

So I read because THAT I could do. I was fortunate that my parents had a very large library and subscribed to several newspapers and every magazine you ever heard of from the fifties. I read it all.

Once the habit was in place, I never stopped.