He is more than ready for reading at night time. I started reading to both my girls when they were tiny infants! We would read something short and sing songy, like "Goodnight Moon" and have graduated to longer stories. After a while, I didn't even need the book, I knew it by heart we read it so much! LOL! But, around 12 months both my girls went through a phase where they didn't like it anymore, they didn't want to sit still in the rocking chair long enough to hear a story, even a short one! I just would try again every couple of weeks until they liked it once more. Now at 22 months an 3 1/2, they like to read a story together before retreating to seperate rooms to sleep.
It doesn't sound like your son would have a problem sitting still for a story. I would try giving him his nubby before you go to the room for bedtime, like in the kitchen or family room. Then, go to his room, get in the rocker and read a story, sing, say your prayers or whatever else it is you already do. Once you are done with that, put him in his crib to fall asleep on his own. Or, if you can't bring yourself to do that right away, rock and read/sing/talk to him until he is sleeping. NO matter what age you start it at, he won't be happy being put in his bed awake at first. IMO, its something that he needs to learn...falling asleep by himself...sooner rather than later.
Good luck!!!
S.