It's true that "Reading is by far the most valuable education one can have." And it's too bad that our desire to read is not always fostered.

I read lots when I was a child, basically devouring any reading material that was put before me. But then, during high school, I read very little, partly because as a teen I found other things to do (not all healthy, admittedly), but also because we were essentially forced to read – regardless of whether or not we were interested in the subject matter.

Moreover, we were told to understand and interpret the stories in certain ways. Granted, there is some validity to that approach, and it can be very "educational," but if the story or the interpretation does not resonate with the student, s/he will see no reason to read.

That's where great teaching and guidance comes in. If given the guidelines that you outline in your post, students will probably find many reasons to read. Whether it be some essential information that helps them in their daily lives, some philosophical insights that help them to grow as a human being, or simply an engrossing story, they will find that reading is not a chore. And that in fact it can be a delight.

I re-discovered that soon after escaping high school. Reading is not only one of the best ways to learn various things about life and the world, it's also among my favorite ways to relax.