Is Reading Fiction Books Good for You?

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  • Опубліковано 13 чер 2020
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    Hey guys, today we're taking a look at whether reading fiction can bring any tangible benefits.
    My favourite fantasy books: • My Favourite Fantasy B...
    Improve your reading: • Improve your Reading +...
    How to read more books: • How I Read 100 Books a...
    Studies referenced in the video:
    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29481...
    www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...
    testyourvocab.com/blog/2013-05...
    www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10...
    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16651...
    www.academia.edu/1362091/Inte...
    www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
    www.nhs.uk/news/neurology/cou...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,3 тис.

  • @aliabdaal
    @aliabdaal  4 роки тому +826

    The first video contained a technical error on one of the slides. Therefore, it was re-uploaded. All is well now.

    • @mrmac2u968
      @mrmac2u968 4 роки тому +8

      Ali Abdaal thanks, i was wondering 😂

    • @Stephen_Lafferty
      @Stephen_Lafferty 4 роки тому +1

      Was that the test cards/colour charts?

    • @ayan0150
      @ayan0150 4 роки тому +2

      Yep thanks. Big fan of yours.

    • @newfnshow031
      @newfnshow031 4 роки тому +1

      this is a stupid question, that's like saying watching movies is a waste of time. It's entertainment and a way to do something that brings you joy in your free time so obviously it's not a waste of your time unless you don't enjoy it.

    • @gsussb_
      @gsussb_ 4 роки тому

      All is well gang, bois.

  • @manvithas6814
    @manvithas6814 4 роки тому +7029

    Books, especially fiction, just makes you feel emotions that completely refresh your system making you more active, productive, and happy.

    • @mahmudabdi1363
      @mahmudabdi1363 4 роки тому +2

      Yah true

    • @0007JO
      @0007JO 4 роки тому +53

      Same with games and movies

    • @eyepatch1157
      @eyepatch1157 4 роки тому

      True af

    • @CourtneyCoulson
      @CourtneyCoulson 4 роки тому +4

      Huh, I've never had an emotional reaction to a book.

    • @bed2000
      @bed2000 4 роки тому +21

      @Connor Coulson I thought the same thing until I read night by Elie Wiesel in high school 🥺 reading has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions since then

  • @GA-pk1jr
    @GA-pk1jr 4 роки тому +6729

    “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”

    • @dianapreisser2146
      @dianapreisser2146 4 роки тому +42

      Albert Einstein said that

    • @huck6453
      @huck6453 4 роки тому +100

      Well... People addicted to something enjoy the thing they're addicted to :/ I mean there is nothing wrong about reading fantasy and fiction but if you read only those books then you may have a problem.

    • @llliiilll3624
      @llliiilll3624 4 роки тому +18

      If you put anything into quotation marks it doesn't become truth. Read "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson.

    • @huck6453
      @huck6453 4 роки тому +1

      ​@@llliiilll3624 The same about rhymes :)

    • @llliiilll3624
      @llliiilll3624 4 роки тому +3

      @@huck6453 Sorry I don't understand what you mean by that.

  • @aryanaggarwal4117
    @aryanaggarwal4117 4 роки тому +6201

    It's slightly problematic that one needs scientific evidence to justify a pastime. At some point, life has to not be about productivity but, the simple acts which bring us joy.

    • @locutusdborg126
      @locutusdborg126 4 роки тому +262

      The art of being. I like it.

    • @asia7279
      @asia7279 4 роки тому +35

      Yes, thank you

    • @ender4344
      @ender4344 4 роки тому +43

      Yes! I needed to hear this :)

    • @alishaashraf3364
      @alishaashraf3364 4 роки тому +20

      I love this comment.

    • @siddhant1285
      @siddhant1285 4 роки тому

      क्या बोला है बंटाई

  • @sebxlopez
    @sebxlopez 4 роки тому +4235

    “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
    ― Mark Twain

  • @animeeddie2104
    @animeeddie2104 4 роки тому +3577

    Productivity youtuber asks "Is having fun a waste of time?"

    • @Tri_monster
      @Tri_monster 4 роки тому +138

      I'm actually happy he asked this because otherwise he would probably stop having fun

    • @junk5774
      @junk5774 4 роки тому +10

      i dont’t think he says he reads fiction to have fun though........

    • @abbad707
      @abbad707 4 роки тому

      EddieXXI lol

    • @abbad707
      @abbad707 4 роки тому

      Tri Monster ye

    • @nayomiegh
      @nayomiegh 2 роки тому

      lolll

  • @QuestionEverythingButWHY
    @QuestionEverythingButWHY 4 роки тому +3156

    “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
    ― George R.R. Martin

    • @henryruston9572
      @henryruston9572 4 роки тому +26

      The GOAT of fiction

    • @MS-fy4vk
      @MS-fy4vk 4 роки тому +8

      Reading his books

    • @henryruston9572
      @henryruston9572 4 роки тому +2

      M Shaz me too, on AFFC. Which one you on?

    • @bertobrb
      @bertobrb 4 роки тому +1

      @@henryruston9572 lol no, fantasy maybe

    • @MS-fy4vk
      @MS-fy4vk 4 роки тому +2

      @@henryruston9572 the second book

  • @theladyluna_
    @theladyluna_ 4 роки тому +1674

    study: reading reduces stress, slows down heart beat, eases muscle tension
    me, reading: *sobbing and rocking back and forth because someone died; butt clenched during high intensity scenes; chucking the book away and taking a walk to take a break from my heart beating so much*
    lol okay

    • @oikstooru
      @oikstooru 4 роки тому +108

      also me: starts imagining myself in that scene

    • @PringlesOriginal445
      @PringlesOriginal445 4 роки тому +98

      Hahaha this is so funny. Dont forget that deep and empty saddness that just sits there at the pit of your stomach once you've finished the book :(

    • @kiranjitkaur2301
      @kiranjitkaur2301 4 роки тому +34

      LMAOO THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING IVE READ TODAY “butt clenched” accurate 😭

    • @1Inked4Heart3
      @1Inked4Heart3 4 роки тому +2

      All of the emotions !

    • @99hollyberry
      @99hollyberry 4 роки тому +2

      Empathy!!

  • @QuestionEverythingButWHY
    @QuestionEverythingButWHY 4 роки тому +1438

    “We read to know we're not alone.”
    ― William Nicholson

    • @googledoodle4680
      @googledoodle4680 4 роки тому +9

      This is the best quote I have ever read about reading!

    • @hercules5608
      @hercules5608 4 роки тому

      @@googledoodle4680 yes

    • @ender4344
      @ender4344 4 роки тому +8

      Yes! And it also helped me with so many issues. Saw that the characters solved them and it encouraged me to stand up to those problems and solve them as well :) trust me, fiction books have a LOT of good teachings in them

    • @forestduffe5576
      @forestduffe5576 Рік тому

      Best quote.

  • @leonardoborges8461
    @leonardoborges8461 4 роки тому +1678

    Don't read fiction, don't play games, don't watch movies. Do everything to be productive. Be a machine. You'll never win - but capitalism will.

    • @DrinkWater713
      @DrinkWater713 3 роки тому +78

      @@KENNETHTXMMA Really ? Meaning of life is to be attractive ? REALLY ?!

    • @galacticlavalamp6338
      @galacticlavalamp6338 3 роки тому +71

      Lots of people aren’t concerned with being the most productive, or the most attractive, they could have been. Lots of people just want to read, and enjoy their life in different ways

    • @javier.alvarez764
      @javier.alvarez764 3 роки тому +6

      Except people like that our usual into business or highly successful people. I think that's how most billionaires are billionaires. They are producers not consumers.

    • @MargaritaMagdalena
      @MargaritaMagdalena 3 роки тому +18

      @@javier.alvarez764 We can't all be billionaires

    • @MargaritaMagdalena
      @MargaritaMagdalena 3 роки тому +4

      @@DrinkWater713 Yeah, isn't that what we should aspire to? To be a person who enriches other people's lives and that people love to associate with?

  • @sreeramoffcl
    @sreeramoffcl 4 роки тому +1002

    A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.
    -Tyrion Lannister

    • @najamgohar7547
      @najamgohar7547 4 роки тому +28

      *reads in Tyrion's voice *

    • @aidarouselabe23
      @aidarouselabe23 4 роки тому +18

      @@najamgohar7547with a cup of wine in one hand

    • @sinb561
      @sinb561 4 роки тому +4

      Good reference mate

    • @maaizasiraj8008
      @maaizasiraj8008 4 роки тому +9

      A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.
      - Another great quote by George R. R. Martin

    • @hekoriginaljni6489
      @hekoriginaljni6489 4 роки тому +3

      He didn't mention which books. I suppose he rarely reads fiction

  • @riyathakuria9086
    @riyathakuria9086 4 роки тому +649

    How nerd are you?
    Ali:- i read about reading.

    • @thedrifter3938
      @thedrifter3938 3 роки тому +1

      @@elpanderohabanero2915 I agree but what do you mean by movies?

    • @thedrifter3938
      @thedrifter3938 3 роки тому

      @Lenny Summers Are you talking to me? I didn't know movies used to used to be... Oh I get it now. My bad.

  • @udokafintelmann6803
    @udokafintelmann6803 4 роки тому +978

    I feel generally reading books is fine, giving us a better sense of imagination and empathy as well as maybe helping us develop out vocabulary

    • @Stephanie-xz7qd
      @Stephanie-xz7qd 4 роки тому +2

      @Eli Sa were they surprised because German is your second language? My German teachers were never surprised but just always kinda praised me for reading so much

    • @Stephanie-xz7qd
      @Stephanie-xz7qd 4 роки тому

      @Eli Sa Ohh ich komm auch aus Österreich! Aber ich spreche den Dialekt leider nicht, kann ihn nur verstehen😣

    • @thisistinnytrying
      @thisistinnytrying 4 роки тому

      Eli Sa where in Austria you from? I’m from vooralberg Bregenzerwald

    • @castlenovelist97BOOKS
      @castlenovelist97BOOKS 6 місяців тому

      Yes. Agreed. I encourage people to have imaginations. But for the longest time I believed in vampires.

  • @armitahosseini8683
    @armitahosseini8683 4 роки тому +313

    “Books challenge and interrogate. They give us windows into the lives of others and mirrors so we can better see ourselves.” - John Green

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому

      How? .-. I think people into fiction just say shit. That’s another reason it’s bad. :T it makes you stupid

  • @kalten4787
    @kalten4787 4 роки тому +449

    I can read lots of fiction book but when it comes to textbooks have trouble reading few pages.

  • @Olesya1215
    @Olesya1215 4 роки тому +80

    I studied philology at university. This approach is so unusual for me. Good books are art. When you read and analyse classical literature there are no question like is it useful. It is a creation. You read to feel and understand life, people and eternal questions.

  • @MS-fy4vk
    @MS-fy4vk 4 роки тому +471

    When I stopped reading fantasy and fiction. I wondered the same thing but as I gradually got back into it and realised that it boosted my mood. The community aka fandoms, the humour made me happier and just helped me. Made me look forward to tomorrow. :) I stopped watching movies and series unless its a movie based on a book I have read. Reading Game of Thrones Book 2 and it's amazing. Loved this video

    • @JuliaN-ti9zv
      @JuliaN-ti9zv 4 роки тому +6

      I'm also currently reading A Song Of Ice And Fire (I'm on the fifth book, A Dance With Dragons). Such a great series. Sure, there are a few POVs that can be hard to get through (my personal favourite so far is the Davos POV) but all in all the world building and the characters are excellent. I just hope GRRM will be able to finish the books :(

    • @ToomanyFrancis
      @ToomanyFrancis 2 роки тому +5

      Reading also helps me look forward to tomorrow. I can't wait to get back to that book, and if I finished a book today then I have another book I can't wait to start. It's so much easier to be in a good mood when you have something to look forward to.

    • @vincenzocapuzziello3466
      @vincenzocapuzziello3466 2 роки тому

      Why have you stopped watching movies if movies are "fiction" just like "fiction"-books?

  • @danielaamaro5210
    @danielaamaro5210 4 роки тому +287

    it pains me how easily fantasy lovers are judged. just like romance and sci-fi genres, often associated as “women’s genres”, not intellectual, trash,... Thank you for this video, Ali. You’ll make me walk more confidently in a fantasy genre aisle next time I go to a bookshop!!

    • @FM95.5
      @FM95.5 2 роки тому +4

      Haha, own what you like!

    • @pdxdonut
      @pdxdonut 2 роки тому +7

      "Let's be very honest about something. The quickest way for any work of art, fiction, or other pop culture ephemera to cease being taken seriously is for the broader culture to intuit that it was made for or enjoyable by women, especially teenage girls. This is not up for debate, we're not adding a feminist argument here, all you need to do is live in the culture and look around a little, and you already know this is a fact."
      - Bob Chipman discussing the backlash to Titanic

  • @DrBlueCow
    @DrBlueCow 4 роки тому +361

    Yeah, kinda obvious reading fiction is beneficial but when you feel like you need scientific evidence to justify it you're missing the point. Don't read because you think it will improve you as a person, read because it makes you feel joy in the moment. This productivity mindset can honestly be very toxic...

    • @crowley7110
      @crowley7110 4 роки тому +9

      True

    • @UWotM-hy6sb
      @UWotM-hy6sb 3 роки тому +37

      I think the point of this video is to make people who read books understand that it’s not a waste of time, not to convince people to read books who normally wouldn’t

    • @Navhkrin
      @Navhkrin 3 роки тому +14

      I think you are missing the point of the whole video, this is about whether there is scientific benefit or not to reading books. A beneficial hobby is better than a harmful one after all

    • @vaibhavi.singh.
      @vaibhavi.singh. 3 роки тому +1

      @@UWotM-hy6sb exactly

    • @VILLA2192
      @VILLA2192 3 роки тому +1

      Please help, everyone says people should read books. I just don’t enjoy it. I would rather watch TV or play games as a last time

  • @hauteclere2369
    @hauteclere2369 4 роки тому +178

    this is just based off personal experience so it probably isn’t as concrete of an evidence as scientific research, but I’ve had a hard time experiencing and processing emotions my whole life due to being autistic. I do feel emotions, but usually either in extreme or none at all, which also led me to being shit at empathising with others. I feel like alongside therapy, reading books with tragedy themes helped me navigate my emotions better and even improved my empathising skills. Books like The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and all of Khaled Hosseini’s works helped me see beyond my own horizon and figuratively step into the shoes of others in more unfortunate situations than me.

    • @ohohnenyeoo2654
      @ohohnenyeoo2654 4 роки тому +3

      💕💕

    • @sol_di_14
      @sol_di_14 4 роки тому +6

      That's beautiful, I'd like to try reading fiction...I struggle empathizing and I didn't really think that it could be helpful for that. I just thought it was a waist of time, similar to watching TV...but thanks, it may help me too.

    • @Lama-lx8mn
      @Lama-lx8mn 4 роки тому +3

      Consider Harry Potter 🥰

    • @hauteclere2369
      @hauteclere2369 3 роки тому +2

      @@Lama-lx8mn I have read the whole series! It was one of the first series I read when I was younger. That also helped me familiarize myself with the troubling teenage emotions that I'm going through now in advance, such as conflict of identity and the anger during the loss of a close one.

    • @sushigoose_
      @sushigoose_ 2 роки тому

      I love those books, although I couldn't finish Kiterunner, it was a bit overwhelming

  • @nakedimanyane
    @nakedimanyane 4 роки тому +62

    "Read what you love until you love to read" - Naval

  • @amruthasmenonn
    @amruthasmenonn 4 роки тому +211

    I remember Ali saying in one of his "deep dive" live videos that he loves reading Fiction, and want to do review on that; but he doubts whether if may drift off from his main topic i.e., productivity.
    And guess what, Ali did his another evidence based video on reading fiction being a productive habit!
    You are something else Ali! ❤
    P.s.: Waiting for another book Review on your book club series, maybe a fiction?

  • @Kaeph
    @Kaeph 4 роки тому +64

    He is reading A Court of Thorns and Roses... Uh, can he marry me?!

  • @studybuddy626
    @studybuddy626 4 роки тому +52

    Books improves our vocabulary and imagination.
    It helps us to fly away from our own world to the world of the protagonist. It increases our mental horizon as it takes us through the author's perception towards the story being told.

    • @bmasters1981
      @bmasters1981 4 місяці тому

      And that Murder, She Wrote book series that was "written" by Jessica Fletcher (main character of the CBS mystery series by that name; Angela Lansbury, who was Jessica Fletcher, is on the front of each book) and credited to Donald Bain (also Jon Land, Terrie Farley Moran and Renee Paley-Bain) has taken me a lot of places that that active senior-citizen mystery writer has been around the world-- San Francisco, Moscow, Washington, D.C., Paris; you name it, she's been there in her books.

  • @ASMR-zg6nq
    @ASMR-zg6nq 4 роки тому +121

    This is the video that I was looking for, to deal with the guilt of spending all those times I've stayed up all night to complete fiction books!

  • @valeriag9443
    @valeriag9443 2 роки тому +29

    I’ve been reading only romance novels for 3 months because it makes me feel good. I’ve noticed that I have more emotional intelligence than I had when I began reading them. I used to see mistakes people made in those books and think “yeah I’d drop them right after that” but now I’ve learned to maybe not understand characters actions but know that different people react differently to specific situations and that’s not wrong.

    • @shoegal
      @shoegal 2 роки тому

      I agree. I definitely learned lessons on communication

  • @user-lo9vu8ok1m
    @user-lo9vu8ok1m 4 роки тому +28

    I was JUST pondering over this yesterday. I was wondering why I didn’t feel bad about reading thousands of pages of fiction as opposed to binging tv shows/browsing through social media

  • @thunderstorms6886
    @thunderstorms6886 4 роки тому +61

    As someone currently pursuing a Master's degree in literature, I'm sad that this is even a question to other people 🙈

    • @feeshac1974
      @feeshac1974 4 роки тому +23

      Right?? What improves imagination, introspection, critical thinking, and, learning about how the minds of others work like reading fiction? I hate when people ask this question like reading fiction is only for indulging a guilty pleasure. I hardly think that’s why the literary greats are immortal and people make careers out of writing and/or studying fiction because generations simply read them to waste time. Same goes for any art. People are driven to create. People take huge risks to create. It’s a deep reflection of humanity whether it’s twilight or war and peace. This guy needs more Lindsay Ellis and The Art Assignment in his life. Thinking reading fiction is a waste of time is on the reader and not the writer. I would find it pretty insulting if someone told me that what I write is something that’s made for people to waste their time. What a minimization of the talent and labour it takes to write fiction in whatever form, be it novels, screenplays, video game storylines, etc.

    • @Mimi-xi1bm
      @Mimi-xi1bm 4 роки тому +17

      I guess it’s the way we devalue arts and prioritise STEM etc so it seems like there’s no benefit to reading or studying literature. If you sit in on a university literature seminar though, you will quickly realise what people are discussing is channelling topics and high level thinking, which definitely isn’t a waste of time imo

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому +1

      @@feeshac1974 “it improves the things we can’t measure!!” .-. It also turns you into the kind of person you are which I don’t want. Someone who speaks nonsense as fact because it sounds right.

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому

      .-. Why? The answer is yes. Congrats on wasting your life. Your studies are based on wether or not someone used a pen to write down a particular piece of information. :T I’m not kidding it’s based on an invention that happened around Roman times

    • @sophias8382
      @sophias8382 2 роки тому +7

      @@juniorqindes8335 lol thanks for demonstrating a child's understanding of literature. Try reading the Oxford introduction to literary theory, and tell me how you enjoy the analyses of literature in relation to culture, philosophy, history, linguistics, sociology, psychology, and politics. Literature is about the human condition, not about the usage of pens, and therefore touches on as wide a range of subjects as life itself

  • @sushs4192
    @sushs4192 4 роки тому +63

    3:08 That's probably why fiction readers have a better vocabulary; you need to atleast understand the implication of a word, if not the full dictionary definition, to completely experience the writing. Also, maybe because one can associate an emotional sort of response to the text, developing a memory of all the words becomes quite easy

    • @meathead919
      @meathead919 4 роки тому +5

      Fiction readers have a better vocabulary than .. who exactly? Than people who don't read at all? Or people who primarily read non-fiction?

    • @viruchamp
      @viruchamp 4 роки тому

      Bro science.

    • @Benjamin-ml7sv
      @Benjamin-ml7sv 3 роки тому +1

      It's even harder with non fiction. Because there you can't understand whole pages sometimes if you don't know certain words.

    • @conversationcorner1837
      @conversationcorner1837 2 роки тому +1

      Interesting.

  • @aryankinge2295
    @aryankinge2295 4 роки тому +49

    Ali, a doctor : "Whatever that means"

  • @SapnaKumari-fp2ut
    @SapnaKumari-fp2ut 4 роки тому +15

    I am also a medical student. I practically live among fiction books and now I am proud to be a bibliophile.😍😍😍

  • @kingo549
    @kingo549 4 роки тому +10

    Thank you Ali for making me feel not bad about reading Fiction all the time!!.. It also explains why I always read books when I ever get free time in and after school 💜✨🌺

  • @lechterred9519
    @lechterred9519 4 роки тому +24

    "Times you enjoy wasting, are not wasted"

    • @llliiilll3624
      @llliiilll3624 4 роки тому +1

      If you put anything into double quotes, does it become the truth? No. Try reading "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson.

  • @leoniegrosse9121
    @leoniegrosse9121 4 роки тому +23

    omg I can't belive it, I have NEVER heard anybody say they know the wheel of time series as well! That's crazy. Wow I am genuinly really suprised. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Ali. Cheers!

    • @ayk4sh532
      @ayk4sh532 4 роки тому +5

      Check out Daniel Greene's channel he's the best WOT UA-camr out there

  • @anonymous_246
    @anonymous_246 4 роки тому +16

    2:42 that wink, that damn wink where it all started

  • @Pollymacho
    @Pollymacho 4 роки тому +1

    As someone trying to read more I have been asking myself this question. Your insights into the subject has given a great perspective to view fiction! Great work!

  • @hermie7872
    @hermie7872 4 роки тому +7

    I’ve never clicked a video this fast! , being a doctor I’ve always wondered whether I’m weird because I like fiction, cause you cannot find many people who still read fiction among your colleagues and I often wondered whether I’m wasting my time. So I was very surprised to see that Ali( being a very productive guy and all ) came up with Twilight.! I mean I knew he has read Harry Potter and all but that’s different, because almost everyone reads HP during their childhood. So I’m so glad that you talked about fiction, I feel like I’ve found my soulmate! 👍🏻

  • @matteo5399
    @matteo5399 3 роки тому +28

    Reading literature is so valuable. There is a reason why dictatorships in recent history have burnt fiction; fiction contains all of human thought and experience - it is a rich source of human investigation into questions surrounding our very nature and existance. Delving into a variety of ideologies, peoples, philosophies, cultures and historical movements provides you with so much wisdom, compassion and understanding.

  •  4 роки тому +2

    Just in time! I had a conversation about reading fiction with one of my co-workers the other day. Basically, I felt guilty for spending all my quarantine time reading Brandon Sanderson's books instead of investing in, you know, more serious books. Thank you Ali. Now I feel much more relieved :"D

  • @Guillaume-nw8pp
    @Guillaume-nw8pp 4 роки тому

    Such a great idea to approach this question! Thank you for all the great content you are offering consistently :).

  • @AbroadonaBudget
    @AbroadonaBudget 4 роки тому +7

    That Patchett quote is what I lead with in my higher level literature classes. It can be so easy for students to lose the joy of the story when they have to analyse the hell out of it. It's a good reminder that fiction was made to make us feel something, not just analyse something. And that's why I think fiction should be around to balance non-fiction, in the long run. As a child, reading Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry impacted me in a visceral way in terms of understanding racism and inequality. I still remember reading that story in my bedroom, horrified, like the main characters were people I knew, going through things I wouldn't want anyone I know to go through.

  • @chauswriting
    @chauswriting 4 роки тому +6

    There's no question! Fiction is a big part of my life, it just makes me feel so happy and that essentially is how I want to feel after reading.

  • @sophiathephirst
    @sophiathephirst 4 роки тому

    this video was super informative and I didn't feel the need to skip any parts or watch it in 1.5 speed!! thanks for the quality content!

  • @anikimfomana
    @anikimfomana 3 роки тому

    Great video, mate! I'm a Mexican English teacher and I'm going to use it for a class real soon.

  • @xbabyxginx
    @xbabyxginx 4 роки тому +6

    Wait until you get to the end of the series of A Court of thorns and roses. My heart!!
    Plus reading, in any form, is good for emotional, social and linguistic development.

  • @gsussb_
    @gsussb_ 4 роки тому +12

    I think reading just gives us a lot of perspective over time, so you end up using some stories you've read as a reference in certain situations (though of course, it depends on the context)

  • @Slyyvie
    @Slyyvie 2 роки тому

    jus wanted to say, I think you make really really quality content not just in production value, but the messages, research, and takeaways you put out
    much appreciated! :)

  • @s.h.y5259
    @s.h.y5259 4 роки тому +9

    I ADORE Brandon Sanderson’s writing 😍 Mistborn was something else entirely and I can’t wait for the fourth book in the Stormlight Archive series to come out 😭

  • @guy9486
    @guy9486 4 роки тому +24

    Who else is missing the Monthly favorite series? 😭😭

  • @Joymwansa
    @Joymwansa 4 роки тому +23

    Ali: explaining why reading is good
    Me: "that ipad that I totally cannot afford is huuuuge"

  • @ak-hj4xw
    @ak-hj4xw 4 роки тому

    YESSSSSS YOURE READING ACOTAR!!! I can’t WAIT for you to start on the second book!!!

  • @kanyin5320
    @kanyin5320 4 роки тому

    I don't usually comment on UA-cam videos but I dropped my tea and squealed in excitement when I saw a court of thorn and roses!!! I absolutely need your take on the plot and everything

  • @thomasreichhart5081
    @thomasreichhart5081 4 роки тому +16

    Hey Ali,
    I value your scientific, evidence-based approach towards investigating the extrinsic motivations and positive effects applicable for reading fiction.
    Nevertheless, I think the most important reason for reading fiction kind of got lost at the end - simply enjoying the activity of reading fiction. Isn’t that enough? ;)

  • @bumbaclartboxing
    @bumbaclartboxing 4 роки тому +6

    Ali, I’d love to see a list of every book you have ever read.

  • @histman18
    @histman18 2 роки тому

    Yeah, Ali. Thanks a lot for the video. I am about to start reading fiction books.

  • @unicornhorse1309
    @unicornhorse1309 4 роки тому +1

    I love this video! I feel less ashamed for enjoying fiction novels now. Thanks Ali!

  • @sin3358
    @sin3358 2 роки тому +5

    I can fully asses that reading fiction is still great and there is no reason to be ashamed of it. You do learn things from it, you get a richer vocabulary, learn to express yourself better as well as get to see more perspectives you have never had before. Overall there should be no shame in an activity that brings you joy!

  • @TheDentistryDiary
    @TheDentistryDiary 4 роки тому +27

    I love that reading just takes me to another time in history or sometimes it’s just a dreamy escapism. Currently reading `The Great & Terrible King Edward’ by Marc Morris, details about how London would celebrate the birth of a royal baby boy or how the coronation process of becoming king it’s fascinating, kind of get where all the old Disney movies you watch get their ideas from 😁

  • @steffie1106
    @steffie1106 4 роки тому

    Alright then! I'm stocking up on my novels! lol! As usual your videos are awesome!
    Thanks for this Ali!
    - Lots of love from Singapore!

  • @madras-ponnu
    @madras-ponnu 4 роки тому

    Thank you as always for linking the papers. Geeked out!

  • @surbhisawant3546
    @surbhisawant3546 4 роки тому +5

    Off topic but this t-shirt really makes you glow

  • @PaladinofYeshua
    @PaladinofYeshua 4 роки тому +5

    You should check out the Dresden Files. Great series, sci-fi, wizardry detective, etc etc - great stuff!

  • @nurak3716
    @nurak3716 4 роки тому +1

    It's my birthday today!! What a great video to begin my day!!

  • @jgardner404
    @jgardner404 3 роки тому

    Thank you, Dr Ali! I'll be using your insights in school to inspire the kids to read.

  • @cup1dcak3
    @cup1dcak3 4 роки тому +21

    One book recommendation : flowers for algernon

    • @Arlene001
      @Arlene001 4 роки тому +1

      I second. That book was both highly insightful and engaging(and tearjerking).

  • @ToomanyFrancis
    @ToomanyFrancis 2 роки тому +4

    I believe that fiction is able to provide everything that non-fiction provides, the only difference is that a novelist puts more effort into conveying their messages in a thought provoking and relatable manner, making it easier to apply those things to your own life.

  • @snow5064
    @snow5064 3 роки тому +2

    One of the most important benefits to reading fiction is also able to write and communicate better. The convos and narration expands our view, and help us feel more confident in expressing ourselves.

  • @flowerinpink7315
    @flowerinpink7315 3 роки тому

    Wow, you did a lot of research for a 5-minutes video. Thanks for summarizing it for us😀

  • @rociofernandez1866
    @rociofernandez1866 4 роки тому +16

    I will send this to my mom when she tells me reading "The maze runer" for the fifth time is a waste of time.

    • @annacarrillo7405
      @annacarrillo7405 3 роки тому

      heck yea the maze runner rules!!!

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому

      Fiction is a waste of time and some guy on the internet BSing you doesn’t change that. Send this to whoever you like, to everyone outside of the land of imagination you people seem insane.

    • @AngelR150
      @AngelR150 2 роки тому

      @@juniorqindes8335 Says some guy on the internet. Who told you that you had the universal truth about what a waste of time is lol? Its almost like everyone views something as a waste of time that others don't.

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому

      @@AngelR150 poop even though useful is still waste. So no, you are incorrect. There is an objective meaning.

    • @AngelR150
      @AngelR150 2 роки тому

      In that case I'd suggest you stop every hobby you do and everything your enjoy doing that is for entertainment because that is also a waste of time. Real question for you now, what is not a waste of time for you? Genuinely curious.

  • @User-to7nb
    @User-to7nb 4 роки тому +7

    Saw this and my first thought was “don’t do this to me Ali- don’t take spice out of my life”
    I talk to my UA-cam “friends” way too much...

  • @JeffSu
    @JeffSu 4 роки тому

    Is it just me or are there a lot more stock footage in Ali's videos now? :)
    Which service do you use Ali?

  • @fufiefilms
    @fufiefilms 3 роки тому

    I love your taste in books!!! I would not have guessed

  • @cutiepie4lyf674
    @cutiepie4lyf674 4 роки тому +4

    In my opinion, I think during leisure time, reading fiction books for hours is still better than using social media for hours. At least like it gives time of the screen and we can also detach from the stressful life. I don’t read fiction books often due to busy schedules but I think I wanna get into the habit of it.

  • @danii5630
    @danii5630 4 роки тому +20

    When will you do another book review??? :) allready read Atomic Habits and The Unfair Advantage...

    • @eternity9691
      @eternity9691 4 роки тому +1

      Whoaaa so quick

    • @100100freak
      @100100freak 4 роки тому

      Was it worth it? Would you recommend it? What did you learn?

    • @danii5630
      @danii5630 4 роки тому +2

      @@100100freak would recommend both! :) I read Atomic Habits in January allready because I heard a really interesting Harvard podcast with the author James Clear, but Unfair Advantage was also fun

    • @user-63451
      @user-63451 4 роки тому

      I'm reading the Atomic Habits atm on my Kindle. When I get bored, I read fiction books written by Nicholas Sparks. Fiction books are good. They are the color of one's imagination.

  • @sairav6448
    @sairav6448 4 роки тому

    Thank you so much - that guilty feeling has been pestering me for the past few months and I needed this scientific study-oriented analysis!

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому

      Then why did you come here? .-. Where did you find it? I’d like to see it cause it’s no where to be found around here.

  • @ltotheop7512
    @ltotheop7512 4 роки тому +1

    Ali, could you make a video on the best speed reading techniques and mindset? You’re the only one whose research I trust, and you always explain things in a way that makes them easy to understand. 🥺 Thanks

  • @noor9396
    @noor9396 4 роки тому +25

    This video has me grinning the whole time, Felt I was reading too much fiction and this is just the validation I needed:p Having said that how do you stop yourself from binge reading especially when you have exams around the corner?🙈 Its so difficult to draw the line at times, is there a study that addresses the fact that fiction can be addictive? just thinking out loud.
    PS: You should give 'folk of the air series by Holly black' a try too!

  • @mernky3562
    @mernky3562 3 роки тому +4

    “Time you enjoy wasting was not time wasted” -John Lennon

  • @valerieramirez6446
    @valerieramirez6446 3 роки тому

    I’ve been watching your videos and love them. They are very educational.

  • @lukejacobsdasilva2057
    @lukejacobsdasilva2057 Рік тому

    Great video! Concise and full of non-biased information!

  • @ogusqiu6926
    @ogusqiu6926 4 роки тому +7

    This is a roundabout way of justifying reading Twighlight.

  • @michaelperson4117
    @michaelperson4117 3 роки тому +3

    I’ve learned much more from fiction books than books meant to change my life

  • @shaddjimenez4524
    @shaddjimenez4524 4 роки тому +1

    very informative and straightforward. 👍🏼

  • @emilyhllmn4
    @emilyhllmn4 4 роки тому +1

    I absolutely loved Malorie Blackman’s noughts and crosses when I was around 12/13! I just read the second book in the series last weekend and am on the hunt for checkmate now😇😋

  • @aaisharahman9883
    @aaisharahman9883 4 роки тому +14

    Thorn of Roses is actually so good. I'm suprised that Abdul has such a similar taste in books as this teenage girl😁 will continue to do without any guilt

    • @melissataylor8996
      @melissataylor8996 4 роки тому

      I saw ‘ACOTAR’ and couldn’t believe it!! I love that series and I’m dying waiting for the nessian book

    • @douloureux.
      @douloureux. 4 роки тому +1

      Melissa Taylor omg i loved that series and didnt even know there was another book coming im so excited!

    • @siannlau5307
      @siannlau5307 4 роки тому

      I saw acotar I had to do a double take and rewind

  • @prithvirajdj
    @prithvirajdj 4 роки тому +7

    What's the goal of being "productive"?
    Comment your thoughts..

    • @kryptoknight992
      @kryptoknight992 4 роки тому +2

      To be productive is not the goal, to achieve your goals, you try to be productive.

    • @huck6453
      @huck6453 4 роки тому

      Not living in your parents' basement without a job?

    • @nathantyrell4898
      @nathantyrell4898 4 роки тому

      Not ending up homeless through continues negative decisions?

    • @everlastingideas8625
      @everlastingideas8625 4 роки тому +1

      To live your life to the fullest.
      If you waste time and do nothing, thus being inert then there is not much of a difference between you and a dead person.

    • @ohohnenyeoo2654
      @ohohnenyeoo2654 4 роки тому

      Wissale Ch true

  • @realpaatuhod
    @realpaatuhod 4 роки тому

    Not even halfway through but I am loving this video! 🥰 (also I was trying to justify all the fiction I’ve been reading so this is great)

  • @Tottie010
    @Tottie010 4 роки тому

    I love 'A court of thorns and roses'! I just ordered the 4th book today. I hope you're enjoying it!

  • @evenessa
    @evenessa 4 роки тому +4

    I appreciate the benefits youv mentioned from reading fiction, but no one actually reads fiction particularly for those benefits.
    Pretty sure theres lots of other activities which would give one all the benefits mentioned in a far higher dose. And they are just side benefits from the main activity
    The only reason one ends up reading fiction remains that It is enjoyable.

  • @eternity9691
    @eternity9691 4 роки тому +9

    others : reads fictions, watches this
    me : watches this, reads fiction

    • @Benjamin-ml7sv
      @Benjamin-ml7sv 3 роки тому

      If you are reading fiction because of this video, I can tell you that there are more productive things to do instead.

  • @samdonelan6495
    @samdonelan6495 4 роки тому

    Hi Ali. Great video thanks so much for keeping us entertained

  • @norahpinto8417
    @norahpinto8417 4 роки тому

    Love the editing!! It makes the video more fun and interesting!

  • @daniyalfake9439
    @daniyalfake9439 4 роки тому +3

    If reading fiction is a waste of time, then congrats to me I have wasted my whole life

    • @ameaity
      @ameaity 4 роки тому

      Honestly same

  • @qb-xb4tv
    @qb-xb4tv 4 роки тому +4

    Ali: "Fiction reading leads to a small, statistically significant improvement in social-cognitive performance".
    Me: Oh, i don't need to then

  • @anakarenochoamadrid9452
    @anakarenochoamadrid9452 4 роки тому +1

    This video is so important, thank you so much Ali! Now I'm subscribing :D You got talent and I'm very excited to see what video you'll posting next! XoXo

  • @theolacompagnon1261
    @theolacompagnon1261 4 роки тому +1

    I needed this video 😂 I asked this myself too can relate 100% to everything you say

  • @saics
    @saics 4 роки тому +6

    Confirmation bias. I feel that you could find enough evidence to prove whatever you want. You could prove that watching TV is useful or playing video game is useful in this same format.

  • @bayesianstuff930
    @bayesianstuff930 4 роки тому +10

    It’s a waste of time to persistently talk about waste of time...

  • @laurading7012
    @laurading7012 4 роки тому

    I was literally wondering this question yesterday. So Thanks!

  • @samhitak6216
    @samhitak6216 2 роки тому

    Brilliant content in such limited time!