Can you sympathize or criticize this scenario about an English teacher giving up reading?

I just read a book Gutenberg Elegies. The author relates a story how when he was a used bookseller, he went to an English professors house to give a quote on purchasing his library. The English professor took the first (and very low price) immediately. The professor basically said, "I just want to get rid of them. They've cost me nothing but trouble." He then showed the book purchaser his study, and before entereing it, said, "This is why books have given me nothing buy heartache." He opened the door and showed the book dealer a computer.