Reading for Pleasure

Reading for pleasure has numerous lifelong benefits. According to a study published in Psychological Medicine, reading for pleasure is an important skill that is associated with many long-term benefits including increased IQ and improved psychological well-being.

Here are some of the benefits of reading for pleasure:

• Boosts academic achievement: Reading for pleasure is linked to higher academic achievement and provides a foundation for critical, digital, and information literacy
• Improves cognitive function: Reading for pleasure builds cognitive function and stamina when immersed in the flow of reading.
• Develops empathy: Reading for pleasure helps develop empathy and understanding of other cultures and perspectives.
• Reduces stress: Reading for pleasure can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
• Improves sleep: Reading for pleasure before bed can help improve sleep quality.

In addition, reading for pleasure can also help improve confidence and self-esteem, provide the grounding we need to pursue our goals and make life decisions, and reduce feelings of loneliness.

So, if you’re not already reading for pleasure, it’s never too late to start!

Feng, Jianfeng, et al. “Reading for Pleasure Helps Kids’ Brain Development.” Scientific American. 4 Sep 2023, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-for-pleasure-helps-kids-brain-development./

Kelly, Kathryn E., and Lee B. Kneipp. “Reading for Pleasure and Creativity among College Students.” College Student Journal, vol. 43, no. 4, Dec. 2009, pp. 1137–44. EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=55492491&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Lai, Melinh. Research: Reading for Pleasure Can Strengthen Memory in Older Adults, School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 20 January 2023, https://mcb.illinois.edu/news/2023-01-20/research-reading-pleasure-can-strengthen-memory-older-adults.

Lynch, Matthew. “How to Increase Reading for Pleasure.” The Edvocate. 23 April 2019, https://www.theedadvocate.org/how-to-increase-reading-for-pleasure.

Sullivan, Alice. “Reading for Fun Improves Children’s Brains, Study Confirms.” The Guardian. 13 Sep 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/sep/16/reading-improves-childrens-brains.

Sullivan, Alice, and Matt Brown. “Reading for Pleasure and Progress in Vocabulary and Mathematics.” British Educational Research Journal, vol. 41, no. 6, Dec. 2015, pp. 971–91. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3180.