In a world filled with notifications, scrolling and short-form content, settling down with a good novel can feel wonderfully restorative. This National Book Week, we embrace reading fiction novels as more than an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Research suggests that regular fiction reading can support cognitive skills, language development and our ability to understand other people.
Consider these advantages.
Also see: How to help your child fall in love with reading
Fiction can strengthen empathy
One of the most frequently discussed benefits of reading fiction is its potential to develop empathy. When we follow a character’s thoughts, emotions and experiences, we are encouraged to see the world from a perspective different from our own.
As reported by Forbes, research has found a small but measurable positive effect of fiction reading on social cognition, including skills related to empathy and understanding other people’s mental states.
It exercises the mind
Reading a novel requires sustained attention. Unlike passively consuming information, readers must follow characters, remember details, interpret events and imagine settings for themselves. According to Unplugged, this active engagement can provide a useful mental workout.
A 2024 meta-analysis found small cognitive benefits associated with fiction reading, particularly in empathy and mentalising, while also finding links between lifetime exposure to fiction and verbal abilities.
Also see: How to cultivate a reading habit in a scrolling world
It expands your world
Fiction can introduce readers to different cultures, communities, historical periods and ways of life.
Readers in South Africa, for example, can explore stories ranging from contemporary local life to experiences on the other side of the world—all without leaving home.
Make reading part of your routine
You don’t need to finish a novel every week to enjoy the advantages of reading fiction. Start with 10 to 20 minutes before bed, choose genres you genuinely enjoy and keep a book within easy reach. The best novel is ultimately one that makes you want to turn the next page.
Also see: Why reading as a hobby is more important now than ever before
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