Is Reading Fiction Books Good for You?

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  • Опубликовано: 13 июн 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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Комментарии • 1,3 тыс.

  • @aliabdaal
    @aliabdaal  4 года назад +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 года назад +8

      Ali Abdaal thanks, i was wondering 😂

    • @Stephen_Lafferty
      @Stephen_Lafferty 4 года назад +1

      Was that the test cards/colour charts?

    • @ayan0150
      @ayan0150 4 года назад +2

      Yep thanks. Big fan of yours.

    • @newfnshow031
      @newfnshow031 4 года назад +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 года назад

      All is well gang, bois.

  • @manvithas6814
    @manvithas6814 4 года назад +7027

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

    • @mahmudabdi1363
      @mahmudabdi1363 4 года назад +2

      Yah true

    • @0007JO
      @0007JO 4 года назад +53

      Same with games and movies

    • @eyepatch1157
      @eyepatch1157 4 года назад

      True af

    • @CourtneyCoulson
      @CourtneyCoulson 4 года назад +4

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

    • @bed2000
      @bed2000 4 года назад +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

  • @sebxlopez
    @sebxlopez 4 года назад +4236

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

  • @GA-pk1jr
    @GA-pk1jr 4 года назад +6730

    “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”

    • @dianapreisser2146
      @dianapreisser2146 4 года назад +42

      Albert Einstein said that

    • @huck6453
      @huck6453 4 года назад +99

      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 года назад +17

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

    • @huck6453
      @huck6453 4 года назад

      ​@@llliiilll3624 The same about rhymes :)

    • @llliiilll3624
      @llliiilll3624 4 года назад +2

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

  • @aryanaggarwal4117
    @aryanaggarwal4117 4 года назад +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 года назад +262

      The art of being. I like it.

    • @asia7279
      @asia7279 4 года назад +35

      Yes, thank you

    • @ender4344
      @ender4344 4 года назад +43

      Yes! I needed to hear this :)

    • @alishaashraf3364
      @alishaashraf3364 4 года назад +20

      I love this comment.

    • @siddhant1285
      @siddhant1285 4 года назад

      क्या बोला है बंटाई

  • @animeeddie2104
    @animeeddie2104 4 года назад +3576

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

    • @Tri_monster
      @Tri_monster 4 года назад +138

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

    • @junk5774
      @junk5774 4 года назад +10

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

    • @abbad707
      @abbad707 4 года назад

      EddieXXI lol

    • @abbad707
      @abbad707 4 года назад

      Tri Monster ye

    • @nayomiegh
      @nayomiegh 2 года назад

      lolll

  • @QuestionEverythingButWHY
    @QuestionEverythingButWHY 4 года назад +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 года назад +26

      The GOAT of fiction

    • @MS-fy4vk
      @MS-fy4vk 4 года назад +8

      Reading his books

    • @henryruston9572
      @henryruston9572 4 года назад +2

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

    • @bertobrb
      @bertobrb 4 года назад +1

      @@henryruston9572 lol no, fantasy maybe

    • @MS-fy4vk
      @MS-fy4vk 4 года назад +2

      @@henryruston9572 the second book

  • @theladyluna_
    @theladyluna_ 4 года назад +1673

    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 года назад +108

      also me: starts imagining myself in that scene

    • @PringlesOriginal445
      @PringlesOriginal445 4 года назад +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 года назад +34

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

    • @1Inked4Heart3
      @1Inked4Heart3 4 года назад +2

      All of the emotions !

    • @99hollyberry
      @99hollyberry 4 года назад +2

      Empathy!!

  • @QuestionEverythingButWHY
    @QuestionEverythingButWHY 4 года назад +1438

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

    • @googledoodle4680
      @googledoodle4680 4 года назад +9

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

    • @hercules5608
      @hercules5608 4 года назад

      @@googledoodle4680 yes

    • @ender4344
      @ender4344 4 года назад +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 Год назад

      Best quote.

  • @leonardoborges8461
    @leonardoborges8461 4 года назад +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 года назад +78

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

    • @galacticlavalamp6338
      @galacticlavalamp6338 3 года назад +72

      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 года назад +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 года назад +18

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

    • @MargaritaMagdalena
      @MargaritaMagdalena 3 года назад +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 года назад +1004

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

    • @najamgohar7547
      @najamgohar7547 4 года назад +29

      *reads in Tyrion's voice *

    • @aidarouselabe23
      @aidarouselabe23 4 года назад +18

      @@najamgohar7547with a cup of wine in one hand

    • @sinb561
      @sinb561 4 года назад +4

      Good reference mate

    • @maaizasiraj8008
      @maaizasiraj8008 4 года назад +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 года назад +3

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

  • @udokafintelmann6803
    @udokafintelmann6803 4 года назад +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 года назад +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 года назад

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

    • @thisistinnytrying
      @thisistinnytrying 4 года назад

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

    • @castlenovelist97BOOKS
      @castlenovelist97BOOKS 7 месяцев назад

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

  • @armitahosseini8683
    @armitahosseini8683 4 года назад +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 3 года назад

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

  • @riyathakuria9086
    @riyathakuria9086 4 года назад +650

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

    • @thedrifter3938
      @thedrifter3938 3 года назад +1

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

    • @thedrifter3938
      @thedrifter3938 3 года назад

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

  • @kalten4787
    @kalten4787 4 года назад +450

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

  • @MS-fy4vk
    @MS-fy4vk 4 года назад +472

    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 года назад +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 года назад +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 года назад

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

  • @Olesya1215
    @Olesya1215 4 года назад +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.

  • @DrBlueCow
    @DrBlueCow 4 года назад +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 года назад +9

      True

    • @UWotM-hy6sb
      @UWotM-hy6sb 3 года назад +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 года назад +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 года назад +1

      @@UWotM-hy6sb exactly

    • @VILLA2192
      @VILLA2192 3 года назад +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

  • @danielaamaro5210
    @danielaamaro5210 4 года назад +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 года назад +4

      Haha, own what you like!

    • @pdxdonut
      @pdxdonut 2 года назад +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

  • @hauteclere2369
    @hauteclere2369 4 года назад +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 года назад +3

      💕💕

    • @sol_di_14
      @sol_di_14 4 года назад +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 года назад +3

      Consider Harry Potter 🥰

    • @hauteclere2369
      @hauteclere2369 3 года назад +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 года назад

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

  • @studybuddy626
    @studybuddy626 4 года назад +53

    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 5 месяцев назад

      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.

  • @nakedimanyane
    @nakedimanyane 4 года назад +62

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

  • @amruthasmenonn
    @amruthasmenonn 4 года назад +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?

  • @sushs4192
    @sushs4192 4 года назад +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 года назад +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 года назад

      Bro science.

    • @Benjamin-ml7sv
      @Benjamin-ml7sv 3 года назад +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 года назад +1

      Interesting.

  • @valeriag9443
    @valeriag9443 2 года назад +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 года назад

      I agree. I definitely learned lessons on communication

  • @kaitlyn_leigh
    @kaitlyn_leigh 4 года назад +64

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

  • @user-lo9vu8ok1m
    @user-lo9vu8ok1m 4 года назад +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 года назад +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 года назад +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 года назад +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 3 года назад +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 3 года назад

      .-. 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 года назад +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

  • @ASMR-zg6nq
    @ASMR-zg6nq 4 года назад +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!

  • @kingo549
    @kingo549 4 года назад +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 💜✨🌺

  • @leoniegrosse9121
    @leoniegrosse9121 4 года назад +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 года назад +5

      Check out Daniel Greene's channel he's the best WOT RUclipsr out there

  • @Pollymacho
    @Pollymacho 4 года назад +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 года назад +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! 👍🏻

  • @lechterred9519
    @lechterred9519 4 года назад +24

    "Times you enjoy wasting, are not wasted"

    • @llliiilll3624
      @llliiilll3624 4 года назад +1

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

  • @Guillaume-nw8pp
    @Guillaume-nw8pp 4 года назад

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

  • @aryankinge2295
    @aryankinge2295 4 года назад +49

    Ali, a doctor : "Whatever that means"

  • @SapnaKumari-fp2ut
    @SapnaKumari-fp2ut 4 года назад +15

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

  • @AbroadonaBudget
    @AbroadonaBudget 4 года назад +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 года назад +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.

  • @thomasreichhart5081
    @thomasreichhart5081 4 года назад +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? ;)

  • @xbabyxginx
    @xbabyxginx 4 года назад +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 года назад +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)

  • @sophiathephirst
    @sophiathephirst 4 года назад

    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!

  • @Slyyvie
    @Slyyvie 2 года назад

    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! :)

  • @bumbaclartboxing
    @bumbaclartboxing 4 года назад +6

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

  • @s.h.y5259
    @s.h.y5259 4 года назад +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 😭

  •  4 года назад +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

  • @madras-ponnu
    @madras-ponnu 4 года назад

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

  • @anonymous_246
    @anonymous_246 4 года назад +16

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

  • @matteo5399
    @matteo5399 3 года назад +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.

  • @nurak3716
    @nurak3716 4 года назад +1

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

  • @norahpinto8417
    @norahpinto8417 4 года назад

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

  • @guy9486
    @guy9486 4 года назад +24

    Who else is missing the Monthly favorite series? 😭😭

  • @surbhisawant3546
    @surbhisawant3546 4 года назад +5

    Off topic but this t-shirt really makes you glow

  • @ltotheop7512
    @ltotheop7512 4 года назад +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

  • @steffie1106
    @steffie1106 4 года назад

    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!

  • @TheDentistryDiary
    @TheDentistryDiary 4 года назад +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 😁

  • @sin3358
    @sin3358 2 года назад +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!

  • @anakarenochoamadrid9452
    @anakarenochoamadrid9452 4 года назад +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

  • @anikimfomana
    @anikimfomana 3 года назад

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

  • @PaladinofYeshua
    @PaladinofYeshua 4 года назад +5

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

  • @cup1dcak3
    @cup1dcak3 4 года назад +21

    One book recommendation : flowers for algernon

    • @Arlene001
      @Arlene001 4 года назад +1

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

  • @shaddjimenez4524
    @shaddjimenez4524 4 года назад +1

    very informative and straightforward. 👍🏼

  • @unicornhorse1309
    @unicornhorse1309 4 года назад +1

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

  • @Joymwansa
    @Joymwansa 4 года назад +23

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

  • @noor9396
    @noor9396 4 года назад +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!

  • @lukejacobsdasilva2057
    @lukejacobsdasilva2057 Год назад

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

  • @realpaatuhod
    @realpaatuhod 4 года назад

    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)

  • @User-to7nb
    @User-to7nb 4 года назад +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 RUclips “friends” way too much...

  • @cutiepie4lyf674
    @cutiepie4lyf674 4 года назад +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.

  • @jgardner404
    @jgardner404 4 года назад

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

  • @snow5064
    @snow5064 4 года назад +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.

  • @danii5630
    @danii5630 4 года назад +20

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

    • @eternity9691
      @eternity9691 4 года назад +1

      Whoaaa so quick

    • @100100freak
      @100100freak 4 года назад

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

    • @danii5630
      @danii5630 4 года назад +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 года назад

      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.

  • @ToomanyFrancis
    @ToomanyFrancis 2 года назад +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.

  • @theolacompagnon1261
    @theolacompagnon1261 4 года назад +1

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

  • @samhitak6216
    @samhitak6216 2 года назад

    Brilliant content in such limited time!

  • @rociofernandez1866
    @rociofernandez1866 4 года назад +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 4 года назад

      heck yea the maze runner rules!!!

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 3 года назад

      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 года назад

      @@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 года назад

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

    • @AngelR150
      @AngelR150 2 года назад

      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.

  • @ogusqiu6926
    @ogusqiu6926 4 года назад +7

    This is a roundabout way of justifying reading Twighlight.

  • @1thank2you3
    @1thank2you3 2 года назад

    I recently found your channel and I love it!

  • @samdonelan6495
    @samdonelan6495 4 года назад

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

  • @evenessa
    @evenessa 4 года назад +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.

  • @aaisharahman9883
    @aaisharahman9883 4 года назад +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 года назад

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

    • @douloureux.
      @douloureux. 4 года назад +1

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

    • @siannlau5307
      @siannlau5307 4 года назад

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

  • @valerieramirez6446
    @valerieramirez6446 3 года назад

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

  • @kanyin5320
    @kanyin5320 4 года назад

    I don't usually comment on RUclips 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

  • @mernky3562
    @mernky3562 4 года назад +4

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

  • @michaelperson4117
    @michaelperson4117 3 года назад +3

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

  • @flowerinpink7315
    @flowerinpink7315 3 года назад

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

  • @mrmac2u968
    @mrmac2u968 4 года назад +1

    First, thanks for the awesome video Ali, I tried to watch the first upload, but for some reason it was a private video...

  • @prithvirajdj
    @prithvirajdj 4 года назад +7

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

    • @kryptoknight992
      @kryptoknight992 4 года назад +2

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

    • @huck6453
      @huck6453 4 года назад

      Not living in your parents' basement without a job?

    • @nathantyrell4898
      @nathantyrell4898 4 года назад

      Not ending up homeless through continues negative decisions?

    • @everlastingideas8625
      @everlastingideas8625 4 года назад +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 года назад

      Wissale Ch true

  • @eternity9691
    @eternity9691 4 года назад +9

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

    • @Benjamin-ml7sv
      @Benjamin-ml7sv 3 года назад

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

  • @ak-hj4xw
    @ak-hj4xw 4 года назад

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

  • @sairav6448
    @sairav6448 4 года назад

    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 3 года назад

      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.

  • @saics
    @saics 4 года назад +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.

  • @daniyalfake9439
    @daniyalfake9439 4 года назад +3

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

    • @ameaity
      @ameaity 4 года назад

      Honestly same

  • @abcxyz2099
    @abcxyz2099 4 года назад

    The world needed this video. Thanks Ali.

  • @manalipardhi293
    @manalipardhi293 4 года назад +1

    I needed this video so much rn:)

  • @qb-xb4tv
    @qb-xb4tv 4 года назад +4

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

  • @bayesianstuff930
    @bayesianstuff930 4 года назад +10

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

  • @anonmelody1446
    @anonmelody1446 2 года назад

    I love this video! I think it’s awesome how your medical history really correlates with you giving a more scientific perspective with the inclusion of studies. I mean, of course it also doesn’t hurt that your reasoning aligns with my own opinion….👀😂 I really appreciate your videos, it’s no wonder you have such a great audience

  • @fufiefilms
    @fufiefilms 4 года назад

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