Particularly during developmental stages of life, I hear a lot of argument for reading in general building vocabulary and reading comprehension, which definitely transfers beyond reading fiction.

But more broadly, beyond developmental stages, three things come to mind based on personal experience: critical thinking, imagination/creativity, and empathy.

As some have mentioned, many sci-fi and fantasy authors, despite the setting being in a fictional world, deal with very real issues (social, political, you name it) that can prompt you to think about the real world more deeply.

I know studies exist that communicate the benefit of creative outlets. I would argue that reading and placing yourself in the story of a fictional world is an exercise in creativity and imagination.

I believe in the power of a well-written character to help a reader build empathy. Often we find ways to relate to characters in the stories we love, but those characters are often very different from us in other ways. Connecting to a character who experiences something that we could only imagine might prompt us to think about the people in the world around us that relate to other aspects of that character.

Annnnnd now I really want to go find and read some research about the benefits of reading. 😃 The above is how it’s had a positive effect on me, though!