25 Reading Facts That Seem Fake But Are Actually True

Published October 10, 2025Updated December 24, 2025

Reading is often seen as quiet, passive, and old-fashioned. In reality, it is one of the most powerful cognitive tools humans have ever created. It is capable of reshaping the brain, extending life, and even altering communities and societies.

The Brain & Body

Reading physically rewires the brain
Brain-imaging studies show that reading strengthens neural connections, especially in regions associated with language, imagination, and sensory processing. These changes can persist long after a book is finished._[8]
The average adult reads about 230 words per minute.
Most adults read between 200 and 250 words per minute. Expert readers process text more efficiently, allowing higher reading speeds with strong comprehension._[15]
Just six minutes of reading can significantly reduce stress
It significantly lowers stress levels, reduces heart rate, and eases muscle tension faster than listening to music or taking a walk._[10]
Lifelong readers experience slower cognitive decline
Regular reading helps preserve memory and mental flexibility._[7]
Reading is now used as therapy
Researchers increasingly recommend bibliotherapy, the use of books, as treatment for anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions._[8]
Empathy and Self-Awareness
Reading can help people become more empathetic and increase self-awareness.
Reading fiction, in particular, can help one's understanding of others and improve relationships._[8]

Reading expands your worlds and imagination

Readers often develop stronger social understanding
Regular readers tend to score higher on measures of emotional intelligence and interpersonal sensitivity._[2]
Books improve self-reflection
Complex characters and moral dilemmas in books help readers reflect more deeply on their own behaviors and beliefs._[2]

Enheduanna was also a priestess of the moon god Nanna in Sumer

History That Feels Unreal
The earliest known author in history is a woman
Enheduanna, an Akkadian princess and High Priestess, composed temple hymns around 2300 BC, making her the first known named author._[9]
The Gutenberg Bible Launched a Media Revolution
The first European book published on a printing press using moveable metal type was the Gutenberg Bible on February 23, 1455 CE, creating the "Gutenberg Revolution." Before this, all Western manuscripts were hand-copied, which could take years. Information suddenly spread faster than authorities could control._[4]
Books were once chained to shelves.
The value of books was so high during the middle ages that people had to chain books to the shelves._[13]
Global literacy is a recent achievement
In 1820, only 12% of the people in the world could read and write. Currently, 86% of the world's population over 15 are literate, which is one of humanity's greatest achievements._[12]
Early writing had no spaces
The earliest written texts were meant to be read out loud. Words were written in a continuous stream, meant to be figured out by the reader._[9]
Books, Power, and Obsession
The Bible is the best-selling book of all time.
It's followed by Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung and the Harry Potter series._[16]
A single thief once stole $20 million worth of books
Steven Bloomberg stole 23,000 rare books from 268 libraries across the U.S., at a value of $20 million._[11]
Book thieves even have a name.
People who steal books are called bilbilocleptomanes._[11]
Children, Literacy, and the Future
Third grade is a make-or-break reading year.
After that, school shifts from learning to read to reading to learn._[15]

Children who read get a head start on life

Kids who read 20 minutes a day are exposed to nearly 2 million words a year.
Vocabulary is learned through exposure, not worksheets._[5]
Literacy strongly predicts life outcomes.
Reading failure is one of the strongest predictors of school disengagement, chronic absenteeism, behavioral issues, school suspension or expulsion, and eventual contact with the justice system._[15]
Modern Reading Reality
Many adults barely read for pleasure anymore
Some don't read at all._[5]
Reading in low light won't damage your eyes.
While it may cause temporary eye strain, it does not cause permanent eye damage._[6]
The Library of Congress is massive beyond imagination
To visualize, the LOC has about 838 miles of shelving; 12,000 new items are added per day; there are over 470 languages represented, and over 3,000 people work there. If you stacked its books end to end, they would stretch from Washington D.C. to Miami._[3]
Some libraries are designed for relaxation
Some Japanese libraries operate as book cafes, blending relaxation and learning._[1]
The world's largest book weighs 3,306 lbs
According to the Guinness World Records, the largest book by size is This is the Prophet Mohamed, the book features the lifetime achievements of Islam's prophet and the influence of Islam around the world. It is over 16 feet by 26 feet._[14]
Why Reading Still Matters
Few habits shape intelligence, empathy, and knowledge so quietly._[9]

References

Reading

25 Reading Facts That Seem Fake But Are Actually True

The Brain & Body

Reading physically rewires the brain

The average adult reads about 230 words per minute.

Just six minutes of reading can significantly reduce stress

Lifelong readers experience slower cognitive decline

Reading is now used as therapy

Empathy and Self-Awareness

Reading can help people become more empathetic and increase self-awareness.

Readers often develop stronger social understanding

Books improve self-reflection

History That Feels Unreal

The earliest known author in history is a woman

The Gutenberg Bible Launched a Media Revolution

Books were once chained to shelves.

Global literacy is a recent achievement

Early writing had no spaces

Books, Power, and Obsession

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time.

A single thief once stole $20 million worth of books

Book thieves even have a name.

Children, Literacy, and the Future

Third grade is a make-or-break reading year.

Kids who read 20 minutes a day are exposed to nearly 2 million words a year.

Literacy strongly predicts life outcomes.

Modern Reading Reality

Many adults barely read for pleasure anymore

Reading in low light won't damage your eyes.

The Library of Congress is massive beyond imagination

Some libraries are designed for relaxation

The world's largest book weighs 3,306 lbs

Why Reading Still Matters