When was the last time you picked up a book and enjoyed it? According to ThinkImpact, 70 percent of adults read at least one book a year, and 48 percent of those same adults read for their pleasure. In elementary school, we are taught the genres of literature. Around that age, you probably picked up the first book that sparked your interest. Fiction was more than likely that genre. We are taught from an early age how fundamental reading is, but as we get older, does reading fiction apply to that statement?
Fiction is the imaginative form of narrative where the possibilities are endless for the characters beneath the pages and it stimulates the creative parts of the brain. The world around us is filled with opinions, hatred, and envy, allowing the mind to call for “an escape from reality.” Indulging in fiction-based books can ease troubling thoughts that your days might’ve had.
Since being in college, having a lot on my plate has become normal for me. Between work, class, and keeping up with my social life, I felt that a stress-free outlet was needed, which prompted my decision to get back into reading fiction last year. I wouldn’t even be embarrassed to admit how much fiction reading has helped me emotionally, physically, and mentally.
In school, I have noticed an improvement in my comprehension, concentration, and focus abilities. Yes, any kind of reading can have this effect, but what makes fiction so special is its story and details. Fiction allows the readers to pay attention to specifics, enjoy free time, and promote cognitive skills.
Fiction can teach us different skills and lessons. We learn how to express our feelings while becoming emotionally mature with the people around us. Sadness, anger, happiness, and humor can all be experienced from reading fiction.
Similarly, vocabulary can be broadened by indulging in this genre. According to Writer’s Digest, fiction books are likely to include synonyms, antonyms, and homophones. Fiction expands your mind to words you’ve never heard before while still being entertaining.Â
The world can be represented through fiction in any way imaginable. You can be informed about the past or speculate about the future. In the fourth grade, I read Magic Tree House: Revolutionary War on Wednesday. I enjoyed how the past was represented through a book I could understand while entertaining my growing imagination. Now that I have evolved into mature fiction, representation of the world matters. Fiction flourishes on universal truths, lies, and perspectives.
Reading fiction matters because your brain never stops growing. Emotions, vocabulary, and the world are prone to change but having a form of entertainment while reading is timeless. My experiences with fiction have formed me into the person I am today. Creativity and imagination mature with age, so you should never stop reading fiction because these are skills you should keep forever.