Why Reading Still Matters I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember—from magazines in doctors’ waiting rooms to Reader’s Digest, Mills & Boon romances, and Enid Blyton’s magical worlds. Growing up in the nineties, books were my friends, adventures, and escape routes. But why does reading still matter in a world of endless scrolling and instant information? In this episode, we explore the joy of reading for pleasure and the science behind its benefits. From improving critical thinking and empathy to supporting learning, creativity, relaxation, and cognitive health, books offer us much more than stories.