So, what sort of books do you read? Seems like the natural follow-up ;-)
I really resonate with the shopping list bit. I live in a small out of the city community, so we buy at the supermarket in the city weekly. When my last SO who was born and raised in the city always had an empty fridge, and each time when we wanted to cook something or even have a snack we had to go and buy at a nearby grocery store, it drove me mad.
It's also such a waste of time. And time is the most valuable resource we own, and that understanding is also the truth underlying your posts, I feel.
I am afraid that I get told off for reading fiction instead of expanding my mind - that particular book is a Ken Follet one. I really do like historical fiction but also any history books talking about the 19th century and going backwards. What about you?
And you are correct in that I am finding the fact that I have more time the most valuable benefit in living out in the sticks.
I mostly read fantasy and sci-fi these days. My logic is that if I can read a novel, or a drama, or whatever, why not also add interesting setting on top of it? I actually just published a post on some sci-fi books, heh.
The other thing I read are classics. I mean, I've read The Three Musketeers, Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Christo and others in elementary school. I also like stuff in the David Eggers or James Frey style... I just like reading, ok? :P
Also, pish-posh, the act of reading by itself makes you smarter and works your mind out. What you read is much less important than actually reading. I also get enough serious reading as a philosophy grad student, y'know?