Reading with Nicole Drespel

We’re back for season two! Today we’re talking about reading—an activity you may be doing more or less of in these pandemic times. We bring on one of our most literary-minded pals, comedian and writer Nicole Drespel, to discuss the science behind what makes reading a form of self-care. Special shout outs to Scholastic Book Fairs, Dawson’s Creek, and your aunt’s favorite, Danielle Steel. *TW: brief mention of sexual assault* Books we referenced: The Overstory by Richard Powers Little Weirds by Jenny Slate The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell  In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado Dog Songs by Mary Oliver Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary  Study References: Kidd, David Comer, and Emanuele Castano. “Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind.” Science (New York, N.Y.) vol. 342,6156 (2013): 377-80. doi:10.1126/science.1239918 Berns, Gregory S et al. “Short- and long-term effects of a novel on connectivity in the brain.” Brain connectivity vol. 3,6 (2013): 590-600. doi:10.1089/brain.2013.0166 Cain, Kate, and Jane Oakhill. “Matthew effects in young readers: reading comprehension and reading experience aid vocabulary development.” Journal of learning disabilities vol. 44,5 (2011): 431-43. doi:10.1177/0022219411410042 Gualano, M R et al. “The long-term effects of bibliotherapy in depression treatment: Systematic review of randomized clinical trials.” Clinical psychology review vol. 58 (2017): 49-58. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.09.006