What does it tell us about Ponyboy to know that he wanted to read the book?

One of the reasons that Ponyboy is the narrator of the story is that he is a round and dynamic character. Though he is a "greaser," there are things about him that don't fit the stereotype. One of those is that he is actually quite interested in the life of the mind. He wants to do well in school and, despite the fact that Darry often says he doesn't, he uses his head all the time.

There is a similar aspect of his personality on display at the end of the story when he finally finds a "theme" to write about for his English class. It is clear that he is excited to try and articulate all the things that he has seen and felt over the course of the story.