Nonfiction vs Fiction (different psychological benefits)

[@pattisansone8013]

During my beginning years in college a friend, who was a voracious reader, shared a tip with me. I have used it ever since (which is several decades because I’m really old now). He told me he always kept a fictional book with him while reading course required text. He said it helped his reading speed and attention span. He would reward himself with a chapter from his chosen genre when he found it difficult to focus on his studies. I’ve used this technique ever since, and found it to have multiple benefits. BTW...I love audio books. Looking forward to that video.

[@senseofmindshow]

That's really cool. I used to take the same kinds of breaks but I would listen to music and then get back to studying. But now I'm interested in trying it with a piece of fiction. Thanks for sharing that story.

[@AnaGuillenBachs]

I read creative nonfiction that has the best of both worlds. It's true information but using storytelling. It's my favorite genre.

[@oscarjosefin1972]

Thank you for the video! Im currently trying to write a thesis about Reading Fiction and you provide some explanation and references that i need. Thank you so much!

[@charris1854]

Excellent video! Very well explained.

[@senseofmindshow]

Thank you!

[@harmonyln7]

Interesting video. I've been more of a nonfiction reader in the past, but have started reading a lot more fiction over the last few years. I think nonfiction is very informative and can refer you to other books you may not have known of, leading to learning more on the same or similar subjects. However I also think fiction allows a subject to be explored or a message to be conveyed more clearly and perhaps more freely, than if an author had written a piece of nonfiction and directly spelled out what they're trying to get across. As I write this I think of "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" by Robert Tressel, "Nineteen Eighty-four" by George Orwell etc. The authors's names I just mentioned were of course aliases or pen names. I find that reading fiction has lead me to want to learn about the real events or places in which stories are set, as well as the events which are take place and inspired the said stories.

[@ljcooper60]

I love both fiction and nonfiction and my choice usually depends on my mood - or what is on my nightstand📖

[@senseofmindshow]

That's interesting. Do you find that specific moods nudge you toward one or the other?

[@JohnnyC10071959]

I have never cared much for fiction with the exception of John Updyke's Rabbit series. I like nonfiction but even there more technical stuff, like physics and mathematics.

[@senseofmindshow]

I have to admit I'm the same way. Knowing about this science, I now force myself to engage with more fiction. But I will choose a book about science over a novel any day!

[@blessenthomas9601]

Fiction readers =Empathy Non fiction readers=Self Improvement If you ask me we need both in life.... We have seen many successful people with failed marriage and relationship... Even hearing worse stories among their families.. Non fiction doesn't teach us empathy as much as fiction does...

[@hugoantunesartwithblender]

COmpletly agree