Imagine reading in the first century. What would you read? You probably didn't. You didn't know how to read. Why would you learn to read, not only was it not necessary for you to earn a living, but you wouldn't have been able to afford it.
Think how expensive it must have been. Material to write on, was needed--either animal skins or parchment. Then make ink. Someone had to write the book and then that was only one copy, unless others copied it.
Books were so expensive that they had to be chained less someone absconded with it as if it were their personal property. Hence, it was chained so everyone could use it.
Who could read? What occupations would require it? Teachers, lawyers, and scribes, etc. A king or merchant/businessman would hire a scribe to read and write for him. If you are watching the Chosen you will notice that Jesus has Matthew as a scribe. Could Jesus read? Actually, theologians and others in related fields argue that very question.
Since books weren't plentiful, those who read them, reread them many times. I imagine they knew them very well and could recite passages from memory.
Contrast that with today's books. How many times have I read a book and half way through it, I realize that I've already read it?
How blessed we are to have such a plethora of reading materials!
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