We're tired of our phones, let's get busy reading: Book lovers age more slowly Researchers in the United States found that people who read have a much easier time with memory and attention tasks, and in old age they are at a lower risk than others when it comes to cognitive decline. Of course, this habit is very beneficial for children: the earlier a child starts getting involved in books, the more his brain and mental abilities will develop in general. Rusblt BMX.