[B2] How Reading Books Rewires Your Brain

Jessica: Hi everyone, welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of 5-Minute English Practice! I’m your host, Jessica, and today we’re exploring a topic that’s incredibly close to my heart as a lifelong book lover: how reading books actually affects the brain.

To have this conversation with me, I’ve invited my wonderful friend Cathy. Cathy and I have been friends for years, and she’s always the one I turn to when I want to dive deep into how reading changes us on a neurological level. Cathy, thank you so much for joining me today!

Cathy: Hi Jessica! Thank you for having me—I’m so excited to be here. Reading is one of my greatest joys, and talking about how it rewires our brains? I could talk about this all day. Let’s get started!

Jessica: Perfect! So, Cathy, let’s begin with the big picture: how does reading actually change the brain physically? I’ve heard it can “rewire” us—is that really true?

Cathy: Yes, absolutely—it’s one of the most powerful things about reading. Neuroimaging studies using fMRI scans show that when you read a novel, multiple areas of your brain light up at once. The language centers—like Broca’s area for understanding grammar and Wernicke’s area for meaning—become highly active. But it goes much deeper than that.

When you read fiction, especially stories with rich descriptions, your brain’s sensory and motor cortices activate as if you’re experiencing the events yourself. This is called embodied cognition. For example, if a character is running through a forest, the parts of your brain that control movement fire up almost as if you’re running too. If they’re tasting something sweet, your gustatory cortex lights up. Over time, these repeated activations strengthen neural pathways, making your brain more flexible, more connected, and better at processing complex information.

Jessica: That’s incredible. I remember reading a thriller recently and feeling my heart race during the chase scene—it felt so real! I always thought it was just my imagination, but it turns out my brain was literally simulating the experience.

Cathy: Exactly! That’s why reading fiction is one of the best ways to build empathy. Research from psychologists like Raymond Mar has shown that people who regularly read literary fiction—stories with complex, realistic characters—score significantly higher on tests of empathy and theory of mind. Theory of mind is our ability to understand that other people have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from our own.

When you read, you have to constantly imagine what a character is thinking, feeling, and why they act the way they do. This repeatedly activates your mirror neurons—the brain cells that help us mimic and relate to others. In a divided world, reading can literally help us become more compassionate and understanding of people who are different from us.

Jessica: I love that. After reading books like “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “The Kite Runner,” I felt like I truly understood perspectives I’d never lived. It changed how I see the world. But what about stress? I always feel calmer after reading—does science back that up?

Cathy: It does, and the numbers are impressive. A famous study from the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%—more effective than listening to music, going for a walk, or even drinking a cup of tea. Why? Because reading immerses you so deeply in another world that it distracts you from your own worries. It lowers your heart rate and muscle tension, and it decreases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, while boosting feel-good chemicals like endorphins.

Neurologically, reading puts your brain into a flow state—similar to meditation—where you’re completely absorbed, time disappears, and you emerge feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Jessica: I’ve experienced that flow state so many times. I’ll sit down to read for “just 20 minutes” and suddenly two hours have passed! But what about memory? Does reading help keep our brains sharp, especially as we get older?

Cathy: Yes, and this is one of the strongest long-term benefits. Reading actively engages the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory formation and recall. Every time you remember plot details, character relationships, or even specific quotes, you’re strengthening those neural connections.

A landmark study from Rush University followed older adults for years and found that people who read regularly had a 32% slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who didn’t. Reading builds something called cognitive reserve—a kind of mental buffer that helps protect the brain against diseases like Alzheimer’s. Non-fiction reading, in particular, boosts critical thinking by forcing you to analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, and connect ideas across chapters.

Jessica: That’s so reassuring. I want to keep my mind sharp for as long as possible. But what about the difference between reading physical books versus on screens? I feel like paper books just hit differently.

Cathy: You’re absolutely right, and science confirms it. Studies from the University of Stavanger and others show that reading on paper leads to better comprehension and retention than reading on screens. When you hold a physical book, you can flip pages, see how much is left, underline, and even smell the paper—these tactile cues help your brain create stronger spatial memories of where information is located in the book.

Digital reading, on the other hand, often encourages skimming rather than deep reading, because screens make it easy to jump around. Plus, blue light from devices suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone, so reading on a screen before bed can disrupt your sleep cycle. A paper book, by contrast, calms the brain and prepares you for rest.

Jessica: I’ve noticed that too—I sleep much better after reading a real book. Now, on a deeper level, how does reading affect our sense of self? For me, books have helped me understand my own emotions and experiences better.

Cathy: That’s one of the most beautiful aspects. Reading gives us a safe space to explore complex emotions, fears, desires, and moral dilemmas without real-world consequences. Psychoanalysts have long seen books as a way to process our subconscious. When you read about a character’s grief, joy, or struggle, you’re often reflecting on your own life at the same time.

This reflective process helps build emotional resilience. By seeing how characters overcome challenges, we rewire our brains to be more optimistic and solution-focused. Books also expand our sense of identity—exposing us to diverse lives and cultures helps us understand who we are in relation to others.

Jessica: That’s so powerful. After reading Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning,” I felt a renewed sense of purpose during a difficult time. But is there any downside to reading too much?

Cathy: Balance is key. Reading is mostly solitary, which is wonderful for introspection, but if it completely replaces real human interaction, it could lead to social isolation. The goal is to use reading as a tool to enrich your life and relationships, not escape from them. Book clubs, for example, are a great way to combine the benefits of reading with real connection.

Jessica: That’s a great point. So, what advice would you give someone who wants to start reading more and experience these brain benefits?

Cathy: Start small—15–20 minutes a day is enough to see changes. Mix genres: fiction for empathy and emotional depth, non-fiction for knowledge and critical thinking. Choose books that challenge you a little, but also ones you enjoy. And pay attention to how reading makes you feel—your brain will thank you in ways you can actually notice.

Jessica: I love that. Thank you so much, Cathy—this conversation has been so inspiring and full of insight.

Cathy: My pleasure, Jessica. Always happy to talk books!

Jessica: Listeners, how has reading changed your brain or your life? Share your favorite books or experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear them! It’s wonderful English practice too.
Until next time, pick up a book, let your brain light up, and keep growing. You’re doing great. Bye for now!

See more: Mindset & Motivation for Personal Growth