'I couldn't live a week without a private library--indeed, I'd part with all my furniture and squat and sleep on the floor before I'd let go of the 1,500 or so books I possess.'
H. P. Lovecraft to Arthur Harris, d. 25th February 1929
A huge factor in the collapse of our collective mental health is the decline in reading for pleasure. Reading lessens loneliness, builds community, sharpens the intellect. It brings joy. You will be shocked at how much better you feel if you begin to read regularly.
At the end of the day, people are happy or not. People who value everything in terms of status are miserable people. Chasing status as if it's an end in itself is a time worn error. It's not virtue signaling to remind people of this.
Just sold a copy of the Iliad to a 10 year old who wants to try Homer. She's read 5 Percy Jackson books and wants "the originals" now. Kudos to her and to her mom who brought her down to the bookshop.