What are the benefits of reading?

You might call them bibliophiles or bookworms.Author Stephen King refers to them as ‘constant readers’.Whatever term you prefer, some people just love to read. 

Whether it’s a habit formed in childhood or a later-in-life passion, reading is, for many, just a really fun way to spend time. The best part? There are so many hidden benefits to turning a page – and some of them might take you by surprise.  

So, what are the benefits of reading, and how can we reap them? With the help of Deakin University’s own voracious reader Jodi McAlister, we’ll explore the how and why hunkering down with a good book can improve your life.  

What are the benefits of reading a book before bed? 

Don’t think you’re a reader? The good news is you can train yourself to be one. Like any hobby, when it comes to reading, practice makes perfect. 

We know that habit-forming requires willpower and consistency, so, as you would with exercise or any other kind of hobby, set aside some time to read a few pages every day.  

But when? We all live busy lives, so cosying up with a book might sound like a luxury. 

We hate to say it – you’ve heard it before – but it’s more than likely that you can carve 10 minutes of phone time from your day to make room for some light reading.

For many, reading first thing in the morning is effective. There’s a clear logic to this timing – as the day drags on, there are plenty of chances to get distracted from your well-intended reading session. If you’re the type to collapse into bed in a heap after a big day, it’s unlikely you’ll be in the mood to get lost in a book.  

On the other hand, if your mornings are generally chaotic, you might be better placed to curl up with your book before bed. There are even documented benefits of reading a book before bed. According to McAlister, the advantages go beyond the obvious intellectual benefits.  

‘There are all kinds of benefits of reading a book before bed,’ McAlister says. ‘It’s an inherently quiet, calming activity, making it a great way to wind down after a long day. If you’re reading in print, on a non-backlit screen like that of many e-readers, or listening to an audiobook, it’s also a great way of minimising your exposure to blue light before going to sleep.’ 

And, for anyone who has trouble sleeping, reading before bed can be a great way to get a good night’s rest.  

‘A 2021 study found that people who read a book in bed before going to sleep experienced better sleep than people who didn’t, and another 2023 study found that 43% of participants reported a better night’s sleep after reading,’ says McAlister. 

What are the benefits of reading a book every day? 

Morning, noon or night – the greatest benefits of reading don’t really come from when we read, buthow often we read.  

So, what are the benefits of reading a book every day or, at least, regularly?  

It seems that habitual reading is associated with all sorts of mental, physical and interpersonal benefits. According to research cited by Australia Reads, reading can provide a whole list of benefits such as reducing stress, helping us feel less lonely, improving a sense of belonging, and reducing the risk of depression. 

Regular reading has also been shown to help prevent cognitive decline in later life, while one study suggests that readers might even live longer than non-readers – all great news for book lovers.  

How can children benefit from reading books? 

Despite the rise of digital technology, analog skills – like  handwriting and reading stories (even if some are now a little controversial) – are vital for children to learn.  

So, how can children benefit from reading books?  

Books can benefit children before they’re even able to read one by themselves. Research shows that regularly reading to kids aged 4-5 can give them a head start with their own reading and cognition skills. Kids who were read to regularly ended up scoring higher on literacy and numeracy tests in years to come. 

Even children themselves report that reading books can offer benefits. According to one report, 74% of children say that reading helps them understand the world (and 88% of their parents agree), 73% of children said that reading about current events made it easier to discuss and understand them, and both children and parents (53% and 55% respectively) said that books help navigate difficult times.   

What are the benefits of reading novels? 

Considering that reading is associated with so many benefits, it begs the question: does it matter what type of book we’re reading? For instance, what are the benefits of reading novels versus, say, non-fiction? Reading fiction books (and particularly novels) has unique advantages, according to McAlister. 

‘To quote from an article by Rosemary Marshall, “Fiction offers endless opportunity for adventure, connection, and enlightenment, and, beyond this, comfort and refuge,”’ McAlister says. ‘When we read fiction – and particularly when we read novels – we can both experience things we’ve never experienced before and see our lives reflected, allowing us both to escape and also to work through things we’re going through in our own lives.’ 

This ability to escape into a fictional world, says McAlister, is particularly important during our more difficult periods, as many found during the pandemic.  

‘During this period, romance novels – which come with a guaranteed happy ending – enjoyed a significant spike in visibility and new readership,’ she says. ‘Is it any wonder that in a time where everything was characterised by uncertainty, people gravitated towards books where they knew everything would turn out alright in the end?’ 

What makes a book worth reading? And what should I read next? 

While getting into the habit of reading can come down to having a good routine and willpower, one thing can really make a difference – the quality of the book itself. 

If you’ve ever sat down with a real page turner, you’ll know that great writing often translates to great reading.  

So how do we figure out which books are the ones that will hook us, and what are the benefits of reading a really gripping tale? As someone who is an author, McAlister has spent a lot of time pondering this question.’  

‘If anyone knew the exact answer to this question, they would be very rich!’ says McAlister.  

‘All readers are different, and what hooks them is different – if there was a recipe, publishers would be very eager to know it. However, if we were going to boil it down to one thing, the answer would probably be suspense. That doesn’t mean that every book has to be a high-octane adventure full of car chases and explosions – rather, we become hooked on a book when we want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.’ 

So, take it from McAlister: find a book that keeps you in suspense and you’ll be well on your way to discovering all the benefits of reading.