Why we should all be bookmaxxing : Short Wave Remember your mom, dad and teachers telling you to read because it’s good for you? Well, a compilation of the latest research shows they were right. “Reading is one of the simplest and most accessible activities for actually supporting cognitive performance, brain health, mental health, but also overall wellbeing throughout our lives,” said Christelle Langley, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge and co-author of review, published in the journal Psychological Medicine.
The review looked specifically at recreational reading — reading for fun — and found broad benefits for children, adolescents and older adults. This episode, we dive deep into the joys and health benefits of bookmaxxing. Interested in the science of reading ?
Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org . Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening.
Learn more at plus.npr.org . Short Wave NPR September 18, 2026 8:01 PM ET By , , , , As reading rates among children and adults decline, a new study shows that reading can benefit memory and executive function as well as keep the brain from aging on older adults. Maskot/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Maskot/Getty Images Remember your mom, dad and teachers telling you to read because it’s good for you?
Well, a compilation of the latest research shows they were right. “Reading is one of the simplest and most accessible activities for actually supporting cognitive performance, brain health, mental health, but also overall wellbeing throughout our lives,” said Christelle Langley, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge and co-author of review, published in the journal Psychological Medicine. The review looked specifically at recreational reading — reading for fun — and found broad benefits for children, adolescents and older adults.
This episode, we dive deep into the joys and health benefits of bookmaxxing. Interested in the science of reading ? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org .
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org .
NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews. Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR.
Source: npr.org
