Does reading actually make you any smarter? Or is it subjected as to what genre you read,m

Yes, if done correctly

Reading forces one to visualize so the brain gets a bit of a creative workout. If you read things of any value your vocabulary might just improve a bit. You might even learn the both “discrete” and “discreet” are spelled correctly.

Yes

if its historical,i find the two compliment each other,the tv then causes you to research the material more.

It helps

Understanding is the key, you can read what you want, but if you've no idea what they're talking about then.. Well..