10 Benefits of Reading Print Books, According to Science

Whether your to-be-read stack is full of classic books or nonexistent, there are many benefits of reading—and reading physical, printed books has its advantages. There's nothing like the smell of old books or the crack of a new spine, and diving into a page-turner can enrich your health and happiness.

Though more and more people own e-books and subscribe to services like Audible, 65% of U.S. adults report reading a print book.1
Faverio, Michelle, and Andrew Perrin. “Three-In-Ten Americans Now Read E-Books.” Pew Research Center, 6 Jan. 2022, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/06/three-in-ten-americans-now-read-e-books/. Accessed 3 May 2024.

Here, we share science-backed reasons to keep up the habit.
01
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Increases Intelligence
As Dr. Seuss once wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Diving into a good book opens up a whole world of knowledge starting from a very young age.

Exposure to vocabulary through reading (particularly reading children's books) not only leads to higher scores on reading tests but also higher scores on general intelligence tests for children.2 Plus, stronger early reading skills may mean higher intelligence later in life.3

02
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Boosts Brainpower
Not only does regular reading help make you smarter, but it can also actually increase your brainpower. Just like going for a jog exercises your cardiovascular system, reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good workout. With age comes a decline in memory and brain function, but reading may help slow the process, keeping minds sharper longer.4

03
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Makes You More Empathetic
Getting lost in a good read can make it easier for you to relate to others. Literary fiction, specifically, has the power to help readers understand what others are thinking by reading other people's emotions.5 The impact is much more significant on those who read literary fiction as opposed to those who read nonfiction.

"Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies," David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano wrote of their findings.

04
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Helps You Better Understand the Content
When it comes to actually remembering what you're reading, you're better off going with a printed book than an e-book. The feel of paper pages under your fingertips provides your brain with some context, which can lead to a deeper understanding and better comprehension of the subject you're reading.6 So to reap the benefits of a good read, opt for the kind with physical pages.

05
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Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's
Reading puts your brain to work, and that's a very good thing. Those who engage their brains through activities such as reading, chess, or puzzles could be 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those who spend their downtime on less stimulating activities.7 Research suggests that exercising the brain may help because inactivity increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.8

06
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Helps You Relax
There's a reason snuggling up with a good book (and maybe a glass of wine) after a long day sounds so appealing. Research suggests that reading can work as a serious stress-buster9, reducing stress by as much as 68%.10

"It really doesn't matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author's imagination," cognitive neuropsychologist David Lewis​ said.

07
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Improves Sleep
Reading a physical book before bed helps you relax more than zoning out in front of a screen. Screens like e-readers and tablets can keep you awake longer and even impair sleep.11

That applies to kids too: Fifty-four percent of children sleep near a small screen, and clock 20 fewer minutes of shut-eye on average because of it.12 Instead of your phone or tablet, reach for a literal page-turner before switching off the light.

08
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Increases Your Life Span
You may be surprised to learn that research shows reading printed books can help you live longer. People who read books (as opposed to other content) showed a 20% reduced risk of death.13 So while reading is generally beneficial, it seems reading books—specifically printed books—has an advantage.

09
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Encourages Life-Long Reading
Eighty-two percent of parents wish their children would read more for fun, and those who want to encourage their children to become bookworms can start by modeling reading at home. Scholastic's biennial survey of families shows that having adults in their lives who read inspires children to become frequent readers (reading five to seven days per week). While most children say they have someone in their life who enjoys reading (95%), those with a lot of reading role models have a higher chance of becoming frequent readers themselves.14

What does this mean? Storytime offers a good way to spark an interest in reading, leading to a life-long hobby. Seeing adults read and having adults read to them can help children gain a love for reading that lasts a lifetime.

10
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Sharpens Focus
In our hyperconnected world, distractions are everywhere. Settling in with a book is a great way to tune out the external noise and focus deeply on a single story. This is good for your brain, as research shows that excessive multitasking can drain our mental capacity.15 Reading a print book, in particular, is more beneficial than using an e-reader because you can't easily start browsing the internet midsentence. In one study, 67% of university students said they were likely to multitask while reading a digital book, while only 41% said they would while reading print.16

5 Tips for Reading More—and Enjoying It
To reap the benefits of reading, you have to, well, read. But as adults, we often feel there's not enough time in our hectic schedules to pick up a book. Try these tips for adding more reading time to your day or weekly routine.

Choose Shorter Books
Picking up a hefty novel may cause you to feel overwhelmed. Instead, try books with short chapters or books of moderate length. It may encourage you to read more often and you'll feel accomplished as you finish.

Set a Timer
Devote a chunk of time each day to reading. It doesn't have to be a marathon session—even five minutes of reading is beneficial. Set a timer for the desired amount of time and sit down to enjoy your book.

Establish Goals
Decide on reading goals that work with your daily schedule and responsibilities. Perhaps you wish to read a chapter every day, or 20 pages in a sitting. Maybe your goal is to finish a book once a month. Be realistic when setting goals so they match your routine and you can more easily achieve them.

Keep a Book in the Car
Undoubtedly, there are moments when you find yourself sitting in your car waiting—whether waiting for your child to leave school or for an appointment to begin. While you definitely should never read while driving, if you're parked and have some extra time, having a book accessible can help you pass the time.

Get a Library Card
You can experiment with different genres...for free! The due dates will help you stick to a reading schedule, and if you're just not feeling a book, you can return it guilt-free and pick up another one that entices you more.