The last part, about the book improving one's mood, this is so true. Each time I feel somewhat down, I read a book. It has a magical effect almost instantly. But it must be a paper book, not on the computer.

Now, about the social interaction, most people in Brazil, where I'm from, would not have a problem interacting with strangers. Sometimes it even feels like you know the person forever, and you just talked a bit inside the bus, or the supermarket line, or while shopping in a market.