I'll take back some of what I said in CAMH and say it's more shorthand for her being "different" actually, A quirk that is supposed to maker her special, unlike the average person in that town.

Though really, how does that bookshop stay in business if nobody else reads?

Literacy wasn't very common for women in her time period. I'd say it makes her unique.

both?

Both, in my opinion

Actually, it wasn't unusual for upper middle class city girls like herself to read and write. but Disney assumes kids and most adults won't know this so we're supposed to think she's cleverer than everyone else for it.

and yes, that's a good point- the town is apparently big enough to need a library/book shop. That would imply either he has sufficient customers and Belle and the villagers both just exaggerate how "different" she is, it's a very new store, Belle is actually rich enough to buy him out, or he's going to be closing soon because he's not making enough money but this is a kid movie so we can't talk about bankruptcy.

Judging by the fact that they don't have servants she can't be rich, though well off and her money alone couldn't suffice surely, he has so many books to be sold still. I go with they're exaggerating. for all she talks about what a boring hick town it is, I'm sure some people want or need to learn. it's probably not close enough to a university so surely some people (bookkeepers, doctor, tailors, etc.) need to learn at home. And Belle just likes to feel misunderstood I guess.

Eh. It's to exaggerate Belle's "oddness" vs. everyone else around her. It's to show her independent thinking. Reading is not a sign of intelligence per se.

I think 8804 put it well. Not necessarily "independent' per se, but not the same as everyone else.

both