I remember that article. It's pretty true for me - that's how I procrastinate from reading all the time, including books that aren't classic or otherwise considered must-reads.

As for not hearing about them-- no, it's not bad. That's just my opinion, but unless you do nothing but read and troll the library - which you already do more often than anybody else I know, and I envy you - there's no way you can hear about everything, much less read it all, especially if you also expect to write your own books. Reading and writing go hand-in-hand, but that sort of implies a balance of both.

Also, second link promises to be interesting. :D