Do you believe literature has any importance in YOUR life?

I want the practical opinion, I've already read tons of essays detailing its enormous significance in instilling ideals and morals and educating and edifying. So firstly, consider if you read at all or not, and then again muse on how important it is, if at all. And also, in the quicksilver (and rather less intelligent) age of ours, do you think it matters at all if a book protests against or denounces something?