Have you resolved to read more in 2024? Great! How’s it going so far?
If, in your downtime, you’ve been finding the lure of your phone or TV screen too strong to overcome, don’t feel too bad. You’re certainly not alone. I read a lot, but I also give in to the urge to doomscroll much more often than I’d like to admit. Your available time for reading might be tight for other reasons of course, but how many of us read voraciously when we were young, only for this to taper off once we became adults in possession of distracting devices? I see you.
Your perseverance is worthwhile though, especially if time spent reading would replace an activity you wish you did less of, such as time spent staring at a screen. It takes effort to make – and break – habits, but self-motivation comes much more easily when you can picture the rewards.
Here, in my opinion, are the top five reasons you should read more fiction this year:
1. Reading novels reduces stress.
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We scroll through our little screen, or stare numbly at our big screen, or stare at our big screen while scrolling through our little screen, because our brain is tired at the end of a long day, and we have nagging issues on our mind that we want to silence. I’m sure you’re already aware that reading a book can help relax you and take your mind off those circling thoughts.
In most types of fiction, the resolution of a conflict or problem is central to the plot. Picturing the characters working through challenges to reach their end goal can feel very soothing and satisfying. Especially if you’re reading a genre that guarantees all is tied up neatly at the end, such as a murder mystery or a romance. ‘High-stakes’ novels like thrillers can help some problems feel lighter for a while. After all, at least you haven’t been kidnapped while attempting to save the president and then locked in a sealed underwater chamber that’s going to blow up in exactly 30 minutes….
Rereading a book you’ve previously enjoyed can also be great for a stressed-out brain. There’s no need to take in lots of new world-building descriptions and details, and you already know all the characters. Try this if you’re finding it difficult to concentrate on a new book. You’ll likely notice new details and get something different out of your read the second time around.
Finally, you’re probably aware that blue light before bed isn’t great for sleep. Reading a physical book, listening to an audiobook, or using an e-reader before bed instead of spending time on your phone can help you sleep better.
2. Reading novels trains your brain.
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Reading is a form of exercise for your brain, and the more of it you do, the ‘fitter’ and faster your brain will be.
Reading fiction gives your memory, attention and analytical thinking skills a workout, even though it might not feel like it. To follow a story, you need to memorise a list of characters and their relationships to one another, and how they fit into the plot. Some books are more demanding than others: think of the massive, complex casts in George R. R. Martin’s books!
If you’re a fan of detective stories, you’ll be paying close attention to the text in the hopes of picking up on clues, and you’ll likely find yourself turning over ideas in your head as to whodunnit. The same goes for just about any other genre. How will the lovestruck couple overcome the obstacles to reach their Happily Ever After? How will the action hero or hapless office worker wriggle their way out of that sticky situation?
Reading consistently is also a form of brain training in the sense that it can help you break ‘bad’ habits. Do you find it difficult nowadays to concentrate on long emails, presentations or conversations? Think about it: spending an hour reading a book instead of scrolling and half-reading bitesize chunks of text on your phone can only help.
3. Reading novels makes you a more empathetic, creative and attractive person.
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A bold claim! Here’s my reasoning:
Character-driven stories give you an excellent insight into other people’s minds and perspectives. Yes, they’re fictional people, but the author has created them by drawing on their own experiences and from people they know. I once read a book where one of the protagonists was an insectoid alien living on a far-away planet, who had never encountered humans before. Although the character’s background and perspective were very different from my own, that book was still written by a human for humans, so I was still able to relate to that character in many ways. And being able to relate to someone whose circumstances differ from your own? That’s empathy.
(Note: yes, there are now AI-authored books out there, and the circumstances of their authorship are usually hidden. In my opinion, there is nothing to gain from reading such books. But that’s another topic for another time.)
How does reading novels boost creativity? As I described in my Distributed Proofreaders post, exposure to different worlds, ideas, vocabularies and perspectives can spark inspiration, and get those cogs turning. In everyday life, being well-read equals a bigger pool of ‘experience’ to draw on, so you’ll be better equipped to think outside the box when solving problems, coming up with new ideas, and explaining stuff.
You may also find that reading boosts your curiosity, and you’ll often find that you’ll learn something new (about a place, a job or hobby, a historical event…) from each story.
So, what if you met someone who accepted you without judgement, expressed themselves well, had an original way of thinking, and was interested in you and/or your favourite subject (which happened to feature in a book they once read)? Wouldn’t you find them appealing?
4. Reading novels boosts your vocabulary.
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The more you read, the more words you gain exposure to, and the story’s context helps you to understand their meaning. As you naturally begin to use a wider range of words at work or in your day-to-day life, you’ll come across as more professional and articulate.
For those learning another language, reading novels is a great way to build your vocabulary, improve your understanding of grammar, and experience the language more naturally. It will feel like hard work at first, but it gets easier. A good tip is to read foreign-language books on an e-reader or tablet, with the necessary dictionary installed, so that you can look up the meaning of words with a single tap.
The above advice isn’t just for language learners. If you are already multilingual but rarely use your native tongue these days, reading in that language can help you maintain your vocabulary, so you don’t end up racking your brain for forgotten words just when you need them.
5. Reading novels is FUN!
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This is probably the most important reason. You should read because you enjoy it. Escaping into a good story is a pleasure for many, and if that makes you feel good, you should do more of it.
Are you convinced yet? Now all you need to do is find a book that you’re excited to read. Remember that you can borrow physical, audio and e-books for free from your local library (and free e-books are available, legally, via Project Gutenberg), so it needn’t be an expensive hobby. And with the easy availability of phone and tablet apps, being short on time is no excuse. You can read (or listen) to pass the time on your commute, while waiting for appointments, while exercising… whenever you like! I enjoy listening to audiobooks while cooking, doing the housework, cross-stitching, or doing jigsaw puzzles. But don’t worry so much about making time – once you’ve been sucked into a great book, you’ll naturally find that you don’t want to put it down.
Happy reading!