Reading and writing as a technological advancement was designed for information. It was created for communication of ideas and growth of knowlege. Children are raised to be good readers in order to be more intelligent. Thus, a good read is something that increases your intellegence, that challenges a reader intellectually. 
 

The author of an highly circulated artcle titled, "Against YA," Ruth Graham states that, “even the myriad defenders of YA fiction admit that the enjoyment of reading this stuff has to do with escapism, instant gratification, and nostalgia.” Accoridng to majority of those I surveyed, this is exactly why they read in the first place. Perhaps this is a shift in motivations for reading that may not be constructive. Interviewees all seemed to awknowlege, perhaps relectantly, that quality reading was material that did more than offer simple escape. Literary classics and novels used in school were mentioned in particlar. Books that offer intellectual challenge and vocab repertoire were clearly understood to be what they should be reading. Dominique Tilke said that quality reading is, "the classics, like what is read for English classes or books written from other countries because of their vocabulary and such."

Sabrina Summers agreed, saying that a quality read is, "Novels, textbooks, anything that would fall under a reliable source category."

Reading experts and industry leaders have made clear distinctions in age appropriateness of content for a reason. Adult fiction is meant for those with more complex language skills and life experience.

 

From the information I gathered it's clear people understand there is a value in literary works and that culture doesn't that respect for their guilty pleasure readings.