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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, I admit that I often use reading as an escape. I love plot-driven books, big character-complex 19th-century novels for example, as well as crime fiction and some rom-coms. For me, it can definitely be a little like an addiction, 
 and something I use to avoid unpleasant tasks and thoughts.

I agree with a lot of what previous posters have said about the benefits of reading. But I think the benefit of reading the "good, long books" you mention (and less so the rom-coms I sometimes read) is that it hones your critical thinking skills. A silly party-trick example for me is that I can pretty much predict the plot-line and twist of almost any TV show I watch.  And when I can't, it is usually because the plot doesn't hold up and the flaws are immediately obvious to me. (TV of course tends follow similar patters as good literature with simpler plots.) As a result, I have kind of lost interest in TV so I am not saying this is a great thing, but it is definitely reading that has sharpened my skills. Much more importantly, I am a strong critical thinker when it comes to life: political speeches, for example. I just pick up on patterns; spot contradictions very easily; am good at building my own logical arguments, and so on.

Reading isn't the only way to strengthen critical thinking skills, but it is definitely an enjoyable one. :)
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Interesting. I'm a lifelong, avid reader, and TV shows and movies often frustrate me because they're often either too predictable or full of gaping plot holes. [/quote]

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