Does reading fiction make us better people? I was asked this question by Nigel Warburton for the excellent new debate forum at Aeon Ideas. I argued contrariwise, but I also loved Tony Bradman’s argument in favour. I especially like his image of fiction as a flight simulator for the emotions. Read it all here.
It seemed appropriate to illustrate this with my recent to-be-read pile . After taking the photo, I dismantled it, read some of them, put some on the shelf, took some back to the library, and left some to seed a new to-be-read pile.
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Sarah Bakewell 
It may or may not make us ‘better’ people – but it definitely changes us.
Your book on Montaigne changed me. I sometimes write about how reading has made me the person I am
https://amonikabyanyuvva.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/reading-is-the-way-signposting/
and
https://amonikabyanyuvva.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/take-up-your-pen-it-is-indeed-mightier-than-the-sword/
Thank you for this and for the link to your very appealing blog!
I even blogged about your wonderful book on Montaigne ages ago because I think EVERYONE would benefit from reading it! Thank you for introducing him to me in such an entertaining volume. He is now amongst my heroes. I have told everyone I know to read your book!! It is a treat, and a real accomplishment, so congratulations on it and on your success with it.
Reading fiction is known to have a very significant correlation with expanded vocabulary in school-age young people and this is shown to continue in later life.