Why We Should All Read More Fiction
How fiction is as useful as nonfiction
We always hear about how nonfiction is extremely useful, informative, and sometimes life-changing.
But what about fiction?
Fiction is seen by the majority to be childish, useless, and unworthy of their precious time; they would much rather use their hard-earned free-time to read a book that could “change their life”.
Even Bill Gates has admitted that he spends more time reading nonfiction. Yet he has also revealed that he would occasionally read fiction and “breeze through a novel”.
So why must we read fiction?
Brings Creativity Into the Workplace
What is the source of our creativity?
It certainly isn’t nonfiction and definitely not working all the time.
The fact is, our ability to generate creative ideas is rooted in how long we spend reading novels. If you search up anything about creativity and fiction you will most likely find articles about how reading fiction novels can boost your imagination (AKA creativity).
Not only will you have a higher capacity to be creative, you will also broaden your vocabulary.
Albeit your newly discovered words be ridiculously unsuitable for the workplace or incredibly impressive to your boss, reading fiction will always broaden your virtual dictionary.
Reading fiction is the root of our extensive vocabulary and creativity. Reading more will only expand it.
Allows Us to Explore Many POVs
Biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs can also give us many POVs (points of view) so what's the point of reading fiction?
The previous statement is agreeable but the truth is, some lives just aren’t interesting.
With the lives of fictional characters, authors have the freedom to make up whatever they want. The character’s parents could’ve been killed by dragons or lived to the age of 1000.
It’s the writer’s choice; that’s the beauty of it.
With these imaginary POVs, your main character could be facing one of the most surreal experiences imaginable.
The attractiveness of fiction is how you are able to explore the many ways a story could go and how the MC (main character) changes the whole plot line with one decision.
Unlike a biography (or any book describing someone’s life in real life), you are faced with an unimaginative scenario and usually an even more unimaginative reaction.
As a famous tip for authors go: write what you know.
Based on this tip we know that prominent novels will have hints of truth in them. That is the appeal of fiction; you’ll get a much more interesting “memoir”.
These novels with “hints of honesty” in them are usually the most interesting as they include down-to-earth topics while still keeping everything worthwhile and intriguing.
I urge you to read fiction solely on this fact alone. You will live a thousand lives before you die. A thousand fascinating lives at that.
A rewarding benefit to reading fiction is the ability to let us analyze many (compelling) lives that will guarantee you to learn much more.
It’s Fun!
Let’s be real. How many times have you opened a nonfiction book and sighed at the sight of the statistics and extensive chunky blocks of text?
For me, too many times.
Although I have found many nonfiction books to be enjoyable as well, I must admit that it will never come close to a well-written novel.
Sometimes, we just need an hour of rest and relaxation. Whether it is lounging on the couch or simply just jumping straight into bed, giving ourselves time to reset is crucial.
Instead of degrading our eyesight and precious time on TV or falling down the rabbit hole of social media, reading novels is my best pastime and it should be for you too.
With a good book, comfy chair (or bed), and quiet quality time with ourselves, we could be pulled into a whole new world where the unimaginable becomes, you guessed it: imaginable.
For people with trouble sleeping, try limiting your screen time to two hours before bed and cuddle yourself in your blankets with a cozy book.
The vast new world you drown yourself in will be enough to get you tired.
I also find that a novel in the morning or before bed (especially before bed) is perfect to help me forget about the world for the moment and reset.
Give yourself a break and read! A quality novel will do wonders for your mental health.
Overall here are the main takeaways from why you must read fiction:
- It brings creativity into the workplace
- Gives us a broadened vocabulary
- It allows us to explore many POVs
- Remember that fiction also has truth in them!!
- It’s a good pastime
- It’s fun!
As much as it is educational for us to read nonfiction, fiction novels also have many benefits (roughly listed above) that give us even more reason to READ MORE FICTION!!
It’s fun too so actually why not?
