Science Shows Something Surprising About People Who Still Read Fiction

Originally Published on OpEdNews

It's not news that reading has countless benefits: Poetry stimulates parts of the brain linked to memory and sparks self-reflection; kids who read the Harry Potter books tend to be better people. But what about people who only read newspapers? Or people who scan Twitter all day? Are those readers' brains different from literary junkies who peruse the pages of 19th century fictional classics? Short answer: Yes -- reading enhances connectivity in the brain. But readers of fiction? They're a special breed. They tend to be more empathetic toward others.