Why You Should Read More Fiction
Fiction literature is an invaluable gem among all the other forms of media.
It is more than just another source of entertainment. There are qualities that only stories have, that make reading fiction a precious ability and pastime. Indeed, it can add more to your life than you might think.
Here are five reasons you should read more fiction.
1: It is a more productive source of entertainment
Fiction literature is the most productive type of entertainment.
Instead of just feeding your desire for instant gratification, it also nurtures your educational side. Stories teach lessons, create insights, inspire new ideas, and spark valuable discussions. Better than that, reading allows you to do all this without expending too much of your energy and patience.
Phones just cannot compare.
2: It makes it more fun to read other written material
Most people seem to dislike reading.
Students seem to hate opening their textbooks, and a lot of families and roommates prefer TV nights to book nights. But reading is an invaluable way to improve your thinking, learning, and writing skills. Fictional stories are the best entryway to nurture this important love for reading, as they tend to be more fun to jump into.
After all, it is more fun to read something when it is fun to read.
3: You become a more active learner
Despite its distinction from the educational properties of non-fiction, fiction is a great source of learning.
Whereas non-fiction teaches you pre-determined imperatives, fiction encourages you to think for yourself about the insights you draw from the story. Whereas non-fiction is like a master teaching a student, fiction is like a master and student learning together. Indeed, as Elizabeth Filips says, fiction allows you to learn alongside the characters.
This way, reading fiction is a more active way of learning.
4: You train your ability to empathize
The most empathic act is to listen and seek to understand.
Reading fiction activates both of these abilities. The story requires you to listen to and essentially live inside the perspective of another person. This can make you more open-minded and reflective and dissuade you from thinking in terms of black and white.
Stories are perspectives, and perspective generates empathy.
5: You get to nurture your creativity
Inspiration is found in other artists’ work.
In Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon writes about how we need to explore other people’s work in order to become more creative ourselves. Fiction is a brilliant source of creativity in this sense. There are infinite ways to interpret the same story — so use that interpretation to find inspiration!
After all, reading is meant to be inspiring.
And hopefully, reading this has inspired you to read more.
