https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/why-reading-pleasure-so-vital-brain-2026a10012r9
"Scientists have long recognized that getting lost in a page-turner can reap cognitive benefits far beyond the thrill of the chapter. Now, a growing body of research is bringing them closer to understanding why, as shown by a new review in Psychological Medicine.
"In children and teens, reading is linked to improved attention, executive function, and mental health. In adults, it helps lower stress and loneliness and increase empathy and cognitive function. Reading for pleasure, the authors said, is “an accessible and low-cost protective factor across the lifespan” that can serve as a scalable intervention."
Something to note:
"Audiobooks haven’t been shown to provide the same attention-related benefits."
