The benefits of reading narrative fiction

The benefits of reading are well-known and have been well-established by research. But does it matter what we read? Are there unique benefits to reading narrative fiction: stories about people, their goals, challenges, emotions, and interactions? Focusing on research published in the past few years, we review the empirical evidence of the benefits associated with reading fiction. This includes a wide range of domains, including language abilities, our ability to understand others, early social development, intergroup prejudice, meaning in life, cognition, longevity, and well-being. Several remaining research questions are also presented. In light of the many potential benefits that reading affords, and the few likely harms, promoting narrative fiction among children and adults of all ages should be a high priority.