There is hope for getting through our TBR piles yet! Have you seen the article today in Smithsonian? It reports on a new study that appeared in the Social Science and Medicine Journal that suggests people who read books have a “survival advantage” over those who don’t read books.
No, it is not because we learn all kinds of nifty skills from our reading. Aging adults who read live an average of 23 months longer than those who don’t and the more you read, the longer your lifespan is likely to be. Those who prefer reading newspapers and magazines get a lifespan boost too but not as much as book readers.
The study only shows an association between reading and longevity though, there is no actual proof that the one affects the other. That does not keep researchers from suggesting it might be the deep mental engagement books require that does the trick. But it is only speculation.
Still, it is encouraging, yes? We might get through those TBR piles yet! That is as long as we don’t add anymore books to them and we all know that’s ain’t gonna happen!
Whoever dies with the highest TBR stack wins!
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Ha Sam! You cracked me up! 😀
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If there’s a heaven, you must be able to finish all the books you wanted to read when alive…
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Jeanne, and a big library with all eternity to read 🙂
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Yes, it is encouraging, but I don’t think I’ll ever finish my TBR list! That’s a good thing. It would be so sad to have nothing new to read.
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AMB, heh, you said it! I still won’t finish my TBR and I will certainly continue to add to it. I can’t imagine having nothing new to read – the horrors!
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I like studies with good news.
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Valorie, it’s a nice change of pace, isn’t it?
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Ah! Another reason to read! Like I really needed another reason anyway! But it does help to know that we all have little more time to add some more books to our never ending TBR
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The TBR pile is such a case of chasing our own tails – but I do like it!
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Ian, what a great image! And so true. The TBR pile is definitely a wonderful thing 🙂
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HAHHHAHHHAAAA….brilliantly put Ian!
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cirtnecce, ha, I know, we need no reasons to read but it is nice to have some handy when questioned by non-readers 🙂
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I saw that article somewhere else! Very encouraging indeed. And I hope that it’s true since considering how large my reading piles I think I may need to live forever to get through them all! 😉
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Danielle, I am definitely planning to live forever with the number of books on my shelves and on my TBR lists! 🙂
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What wonderful news! As a lifelong reader, I’m glad to know that I’ll have longer to read MORE BOOKS! 🙂
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Lynda, I know, what great news! 🙂
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I saw that article – it made some dubious correlations I thought…. What it didnt do was give any kind of thought as to why readers live longer. Is it that they spend so long indoors that they don’t put themselves in risk situations? But then we also know that spending hours sitting is not good for health so I’m confused
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BookerTalk, yeah, the correlations are not solid, that’s for sure and I was curious about the sedentary vs active issue too. The Smithsonian seemed to indicate the extended lifespan was due to better mental health and engagement but it is only speculation. It’s a good speculation though 🙂
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I can live with dubious correlations like this. I always have been good a suspending disbelief!
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I guess the reminder that correlation is not causation is as useful as ever here, but I do live in hope of more time to read 😛
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Ana, heh, yeah it gives up hope and maybe it is the hope that helps? Motivation and having something to live for and all that 🙂
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Now this is a cause for celebration and what do us bookworms do to celebrate? Buy more books of course 🙂 Ah, those TBR piles.
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Iliana, I like your way of thinking! 😀
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Excellent! Fantastic! This is wonderful news! I have a very confusing medical heritage — evvvvvveryone on my dad’s side of the family dies of cancer in their sixties/seventies, and evvvvvveryone on my mum’s side seems to live FOREVER. It makes retirement planning a challenge for me. :p
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Jenny, well hopefully you got your mom’s longevity genes and books will stretch it even longer!
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Studies that show I’m going to live longer and healthier I tend to find make a lot of sense, whereas those that don’t, I can usually find some reasons for their flaws. This one looks flawless to me.
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whisperinggums, I am sure if the study said readers have shorter lifespans we’d all be complaining and exclaiming how there is absolutely no direct link, etc etc, but since it comes out in our favor we will embrace it wholeheartedly 😀
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Absolutely! You’ve got it.
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