I am 64 years old, finally retired and trying to make up for my misspent youth. Now I want to make every day count—it is not primarily about having fun, unless you count studying (languages) and (athletic) training fun. I was concerned that after many years of finding nothing good to read, books could no longer hold my interest. To my relief, I have found that this is not completely true. However, the authors that can still keep me engaged write crime fiction. Besides simple diversion, how can I justify this use of my time? I can pretty much spot the plot devices and tropes.
Honestly a lot of the comments talk of dementia, dementia is believed to be caused from an extra chromosome although there is nothing that supports that. But you’ve hear “if you don’t use it you lose it” this saying is talking about your neurons. So that is why patients once the reach there 40’s are told to do sudoku, word search and crossword puzzles because it engages the mind keeping your neurons working. So yes reading does help with your mind.