The Benefits of Reading — and Why the Benefits of Fiction Matter More Than We Admit

Reading has shaped my life in uneven, unpredictable ways: long periods of immersion, years of neglect, and a recent rediscovery that feels both personal and universal. Drawing on research from education, neuroscience, psychology, and literacy studies, this essay explores the wider benefits of reading — and, more specifically, the often-overlooked benefits of fiction. From empathy and wellbeing to…