Why read fiction?

If you're one of those people for whom reading fiction is a guilty pleasure, good news: findings from a recent study suggest that reading fiction improves empathy and can also provide a sense of belonging that is as satisfying and meaningful as it is in real-life social groups.  For details about the study, which used questions about Twilight and Harry Potter to assess how fiction influences its fans, click here for the full article from The Guardian.  Now when your conscience tells you to skip that fluffy novel, you finally have a good counterargument!