Book lovers age more slowly - studies link reading for pleasure to better brain health.
People who read regularly perform better on average in tasks of memory, attention and thinking, and may have a lower risk of cognitive decline in old age.
Fiction works in a particularly interesting way: when we follow characters, empathize with them and try to understand their motives, the brain perceives this in part as a social experience.
The benefits can start as early as childhood: early exposure to books has been linked to better brain development and higher cognitive abilities. And in adulthood, regular reading reduces symptoms of depression and feelings of loneliness.