Sir Godfrey Gregg

Reading fiction isn’t a waste of time—it’s one of the most valuable activities for developing empathy, emotional intelligence, and understanding of human nature. When you read stories during your holiday, you’re not just entertaining yourself; you’re learning how to navigate the complex social and emotional dimensions of life.

Through characters in books, you experience situations and emotions you might never encounter firsthand. You understand what it feels like to face injustice, to overcome obstacles, to lose someone important, to find courage when afraid. This vicarious experience builds your emotional vocabulary and helps you recognize and respond to similar situations in real life.

Research shows that people who read fiction regularly are better at understanding others’ perspectives, predicting behaviour, and navigating social situations. They develop stronger empathy because they’ve practised seeing the world through many different characters’ eyes. These social-emotional skills are increasingly recognized as crucial for success in both personal and professional life.

Stories also teach narrative thinking—understanding cause and effect, recognizing patterns, and predicting outcomes. This skill transfers to history, science, personal decision-making, and nearly every aspect of critical thinking. When you read stories, you’re training your brain to understand how events connect and unfold.

Additionally, great stories expose you to beautiful language, rich vocabulary, and varied sentence structures. Your brain absorbs these patterns unconsciously, making you a better writer and communicator. The more stories you read, the more sophisticated your own expression becomes.

This holiday, permit yourself to read novels, short stories, graphic novels, or any narrative that captures your imagination. Don’t dismiss it as “just entertainment.” You’re developing crucial life skills while enjoying yourself. Read about characters who inspire you, challenge you, or simply make you laugh. Every story you absorb makes you a more empathetic, articulate, and thoughtful person. That’s worth every minute spent turning pages.