{"id":4514,"date":"2015-06-12T07:49:36","date_gmt":"2015-06-12T11:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=4514"},"modified":"2015-07-30T09:57:45","modified_gmt":"2015-07-30T13:57:45","slug":"4-reasons-to-read-literary-fiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=4514","title":{"rendered":"4 Reasons to Read Literary Fiction"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(photo: Tim Pierce, creative commons license, https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/qwrrty\/2100913578\/)<\/p><\/div>\n

Reading is good for you! It brings pleasure, it broadens perspectives, it builds language, it imparts knowledge . . . readers know this. Research is starting to show that what<\/em> we read is also important and are finding positive results from reading literary fiction, as compared to non-fiction or popular fiction. A recent round-up of this research by Will S. on The Literacy Site<\/a> included the following four examples.<\/p>\n

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  1. People who read literary fiction are more empathetic. Reading a story provides a compelling experience that helps the reader understand another person\u2019s mental state, say researchers David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano<\/a>. In other words, it provides the experience of walking in another person\u2019s shoes, and \u201cthe more stories you read, the more shoes you\u2019ve tried on,\u201d says Will S.<\/li>\n
  2. Stanford University<\/a> researchers have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRIs) to study the brains of people active engaged in close reading\u2014in this case, a text by Jane Austen. The results show that careful reading<\/em> (versus skimming) engages many parts of the brain and requires \u201cthe coordination of multiple complex cognitive functions.\u201d This suggests that studying literature\u2014beyond its other benefits\u2014trains people to engage their brains more fully, an increasingly valuable skill in an era of constant distraction.<\/li>\n
  3. In an article<\/a> titled \u201cThe greatest magic of Harry Potter: Reducing prejudice,\u201d children who identified with the character Harry Potter and read and discussed specific passages about prejudice responded to Harry\u2019s \u201csympathy for marginalized groups\u201d (such as Muggles or Mudbloods) by showing greater open-mindedness toward outsider groups in contemporary society (immigrants, refugees, gays).<\/li>\n
  4. Harry Potter works for children and literary fiction works for adults because \u201cthe characters are complex,\u00a0ambiguous, difficult to get to know, etc. (in other words, human) versus stereotyped, simple,\u201d according to Kidd and Castano\u2019s research cited above<\/a>. Literary fiction forces the reader to work harder at fleshing out the characters, and trying to understand what makes them tick mirrors what is required in relationships with other people.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In sum, while reading in general has many benefits, \u201cliterary reading amplifies this effect,\u201d Will S. says. \u201cBy reading a challenging book, you\u2019re not only\u00a0becoming a smarter person, you\u2019re also become more empathetic.\u201d Harder books stimulate the brain in more ways. So, he recommends, \u201cIn choosing your next book, make it a tough one. Your brain will thank you.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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