From bedtime stories to book clubs: Reading protects your brain for life

Whether you're reading an English classic on paper or the latest romantasy novel on your e-reader, it seems that regardless of what or how we read, doing it for pleasure can bring huge health benefits. A new review by researchers at Cambridge University Researchers found that across multiple studies, reading was associated with better attention and memory, fewer mental health problems and healthier lifestyles.“Reading is a great way to support our brain health, develop important cognitive skills and boost our wellbeing,” said Barbara Sahakian, professor at Cambridge and the review’s corresponding author.“It’s something we ought to be encouraging from an early age, given the increasing evidence of its benefits, particularly to children, but really, it’s never too late to start, and it can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age.”Despite the growing evidence of reading benefits for young people, reading rates among children and pupils across Europe have…