How Reading BOOKS Can Protect & STRENGTHEN Your Brain (Science-Backed Approach)

Supporting Brain Health Through a Bookish Life

The presenter shares four research-informed ways to support brain health through reading and literary activities:

• Challenge yourself with reading. Read regularly, but don’t stick only to familiar genres or easy, comfortable books. Choose works that make you think: books from different cultures and time periods, books in another language, lesser-known works, formally daring writing, or books that question familiar ideas. This kind of mental effort can keep reading intellectually stimulating. It’s never too late to start reading.
• Make reading social. Social activity is associated with better cognitive health, so consider joining a book club, reading group, or online literary community. Shared discussions and events can make reading a communal rather than solitary practice. The presenter mentions both local and online options.
• Build a mental map through your library. Organize a personal collection with a deliberate system, such as by chronology and broad genre, to help connect authors, ideas, and literary movements. The presenter describes this as creating a kind of “memory palace” and a web of connections.
• Memorize literature. Committing poems to memory can exercise recall. The presenter also describes memorized poems as sources of comfort during difficult moments.

Presenters and Sources Mentioned

• Presenter: Branden Bruce Jones
• Research source: A BBC overview of research on brain health, with links to academic papers. The subtitles do not specify the paper authors.
• Reading communities and creators recommended: Adam Walker / Close Reading Poetry and Verste; Life on Books (Tony and Andy); Maria / Strangely Literate.
• Local literary space mentioned: Het Veerhuis in Rotterdam.