Is Reading Fiction Books Good for You?

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Hey guys, today we're taking a look at whether reading fiction can bring any tangible benefits.

Studies referenced in the video:

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[aliabdaal]

The first video contained a technical error on one of the slides. Therefore, it was re-uploaded. All is well now.

[manvithas]

Books, especially fiction, just makes you feel emotions that completely refresh your system making you more active, productive, and happy.

[sebxlopez]

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
― Mark Twain

[GA-pkjr]

“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”

[animeeddie]

Productivity youtuber asks "Is having fun a waste of time?"

[aryanaggarwal]

It's slightly problematic that one needs scientific evidence to justify a pastime. At some point, life has to not be about productivity but, the simple acts which bring us joy.

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
― George R.R. Martin

[theladyluna_]

study: reading reduces stress, slows down heart beat, eases muscle tension

me, reading: *sobbing and rocking back and forth because someone died; butt clenched during high intensity scenes; chucking the book away and taking a walk to take a break from my heart beating so much*
lol okay

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“We read to know we're not alone.”
― William Nicholson

[leonardoborges]

Don't read fiction, don't play games, don't watch movies. Do everything to be productive. Be a machine. You'll never win — but capitalism will.

[sreeramoffcl]

A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.
-Tyrion Lannister

[udokafintelmann]

I feel generally reading books is fine, giving us a better sense of imagination and empathy as well as maybe helping us develop out vocabulary

[armitahosseini]

“Books challenge and interrogate. They give us windows into the lives of others and mirrors so we can better see ourselves.” — John Green

[riyathakuria]

How nerd are you?
Ali:- i read about reading.

[MS-fyvk]

When I stopped reading fantasy and fiction. I wondered the same thing but as I gradually got back into it and realised that it boosted my mood. The community aka fandoms, the humour made me happier and just helped me. Made me look forward to tomorrow. :) I stopped watching movies and series unless its a movie based on a book I have read. Reading Game of Thrones Book 2 and it's amazing. Loved this video <3.

[kalten]

I can read lots of fiction book but when it comes to textbooks have trouble reading few pages.

[DrBlueCow]

Yeah, kinda obvious reading fiction is beneficial but when you feel like you need scientific evidence to justify it you're missing the point. Don't read because you think it will improve you as a person, read because it makes you feel joy in the moment. This productivity mindset can honestly be very toxic...

[danielaamaro]

it pains me how easily fantasy lovers are judged. just like romance and sci-fi genres, often associated as “women’s genres”, not intellectual, trash, ... Thank you for this video, Ali. You’ll make me walk more confidently in a fantasy genre aisle next time I go to a bookshop!!

[Olesya]

I studied philology at university. This approach is so unusual for me. Good books are art. When you read and analyse classical literature there are no question like is it useful. It is a creation. You read to feel and understand life, people and eternal questions.

[hauteclere]

this is just based off personal experience so it probably isn’t as concrete of an evidence as scientific research, but I’ve had a hard time experiencing and processing emotions my whole life due to being autistic. I do feel emotions, but usually either in extreme or none at all, which also led me to being shit at empathising with others. I feel like alongside therapy, reading books with tragedy themes helped me navigate my emotions better and even improved my empathising skills. Books like The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and all of Khaled Hosseini’s works helped me see beyond my own horizon and figuratively step into the shoes of others in more unfortunate situations than me.