Story time. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| Why I Generally Prefer Fiction |
|
| Fiction often gets a bad rap compared to non-fiction, which many see as the “serious” choice. Non-fiction is fact-based, imparting truth, hard knowledge, and science. It’s considered the “right” choice, while fiction is seen as made-up, for kids, or just a way to kill time. If you read fiction, you’re “running” from reality. People often feel guilty when they read fiction instead of non-fiction, thinking it’s only for fun and not productive. But I’m here to tell you that reading fiction can be more productive than non-fiction. I'm not a big consumer of non-fiction, even though I write it myself. After all, I read so much non-fiction (or fiction masquerading as non-fiction) for my research that the last thing I want to do is read it for pleasure. Many non-fiction books, especially self-help or business genres, can often be summarized in a good blog post. So, I prefer fiction for my leisure reading. Here’s why I prefer fiction to non-fiction. Fiction is better before bed. Fiction merges well with the “dream world.” It’s like telling yourself a bedtime story, helping you drift off to sleep. A recent study even found that reading a book in bed improved sleep quality compared to just lying there without a book. The beauty of fiction before bed is that you don’t use much brainpower to tabulate figures or arrange facts—you just let the story unfold. Fiction is better therapy. Fiction works better than self-help books as a bibliotherapy tool. Instead of a formal non-fiction missive urging you to improve your mental state, you read a story about a person going through a trial similar to yours and derive benefits without “trying.” You get lost in the story—that’s the power of fiction. Fiction holds truth, not just facts. Fiction may not contain facts, but it holds wisdom. It speaks to eternal truths, not contemporary contexts. Reading fiction doesn’t feel like schoolwork. You read it, integrate it, and move on with the story. Non-fiction, however, often goes too long, trying to convince you of something. Fiction may improve mind-reading. Reading fiction can improve your ability to infer what people are thinking based on their words, actions, and expressions. Several studies suggest this, though the results are not conclusive. It likely depends on the book being read, as there is enormous variance in fiction. Fiction provides a mental escape. Books offer a break from the relentless flow of information and the stress of daily life. When you immerse yourself in a novel, you temporarily step away from your own problems and enter another world. This mental escape can be rejuvenating and help you return to your reality with a fresh perspective. Fiction fosters empathy. By allowing readers to experience life through the eyes of diverse characters, fiction helps develop empathy. You gain insight into different perspectives and cultures, enhancing your understanding and compassion for others. Fiction enhances creativity. Engaging with imaginative worlds and scenarios in fiction stimulates your own creativity. It encourages you to think outside the box and consider new possibilities, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional aspects of life. Fiction boosts cognitive function. Fiction requires active engagement, which boosts cognitive function. You have to follow plots, remember characters, and understand complex relationships. This mental exercise keeps your brain sharp and improves overall cognitive health. The best non-fiction reads like fiction. My favorite type of non-fiction is narrative-based. History told as a story or anecdotes used to elucidate a concept. The fact that the best non-fiction tells a story suggests the power and supremacy of fiction. How to read fiction. Just read it. There’s a misconception that you have to analyze fiction to derive meaning from it. While fiction can be powerful for personal growth, you don’t need to treat it like a literature PhD would. I once took a literature class in college that turned me off reading for pleasure for about two years because we spent the entire semester writing essays with contrived thematic analyses. Greater power lies in simply letting the literature wash over you. Immerse yourself in it, get lost in the story, and most importantly, enjoy it. So, read more fiction. It's productive, therapeutic, and enjoyable. What does fiction mean to you? |
|
|
|
|
| Ever heard of a chickle? If not, we won't ruin the surprise. Check out the recipe to see what it is—and don't knock it until you've tried it! |
|
| Jill Coleman (aka Jill Fit) is an in-demand business coach for health, fitness, and nutrition professionals. This episode is packed with tons of important insights. |
|
|
|
|
| Download a FREE ebook with 8 deliciously cool ways to enjoy collagen this summer. |
|
|
|
|
No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe.
Mark's Daily Apple 1101 Maulhardt Ave. Oxnard, CA 93033 |
|
|
|
|
