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Proof That Your TBR Might Actually Help You Live Longer (E183)
Manage episode 522111370 series 3588904
In this solo episode, Kara explores the fascinating research behind how daily reading may support a longer, healthier life. She breaks down the landmark Yale study showing that people who read books for just 30 minutes a day lived an average of 23 months longer than non-readers, examines why book-length reading provides unique cognitive benefits, and discusses what current science says about print books versus audiobooks.
Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how reading strengthens the brain, builds cognitive reserve, and may contribute to healthy aging - plus practical ideas for fitting more reading into everyday life.
Episode Highlights:
• Reading books for just 30 minutes a day was linked to 23 extra months of life, on average.
• Frequent reading is associated with reduced cognitive decline across multiple long-term studies.
• Print or visual reading tends to support stronger comprehension and memory - key components of brain reserve.
• Audiobooks activate many of the same language and emotional brain networks, though the depth of processing may differ.
• Regardless of format, regular engagement with stories supports cognitive health.
Resources Mentioned:
- Episode 116: Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
- Bavishi, Slade & Levy (2016). A Chapter a Day: Association of Book Reading With Longevity. Published in Social Science & Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.07.014
- Pan, Liu, Zhang, Chen & Chen (2021). Reading Activity Prevents Long-Term Decline in Cognitive Function in Older People. Published in BMC Geriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02357-y
- Baranowska-Łyda, Białek & Gortych-Michalak (2019). The Impact of Presentation Mode on Reading Comprehension: Text vs. Audio. Published in Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00636
- Michael, Keller, Carpenter & Just (2001). fMRI Investigation of Sentence Comprehension by Eye and by Ear. Published in NeuroImage. https://doi.org/10.1006/nimg.2000.0662
Join us for the BFF Book Club Holiday Party! 🎄✨
We’re closing out the year with The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce and a cozy virtual celebration on December 16th at 5 PM PST. Bring a festive drink, a book that captivated you in 2025, and get ready for fun conversation + a bookish giveaway for attendees!
👉 RSVP here: https://www.bookishflights.com/read/fall2025
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
Explore it here → www.bookishflights.com/read/roadmap
Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!
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