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Research · Episode

Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing'

Remember your mom, dad and teachers telling you to read because it’s good for you? Well, a compilation of the latest research shows they were right. “Reading is one of the simplest and most accessible activities for actually supporting cognitive performance, brain health, mental health, but also overall wellbeing throughout our lives,” said Christelle Langley, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge and co-author of review, published in the journal Psychological Medicine. The review looked specifically at recreational reading — reading for fun — and found broad benefits for children, adolescents and older adults. This episode, we dive deep into the joys and health benefits of bookmaxxing.  Interested in the science of reading? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.  See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Dr Amara Okafor✓ Literacy · PhD · · Short Wave

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Okafor, A. [@amaraokafor]. (2026, September 19). Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing' [Audio podcast episode]. In Short Wave. CIT.ED. https://cit.education/p/5f464a98-ca94-4e64-8506-3e4c6230c7a0

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Okafor, A. [@amaraokafor] (2026) ‘Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing'’, Short Wave [Podcast]. CIT.ED, 19 September. Available at: https://cit.education/p/5f464a98-ca94-4e64-8506-3e4c6230c7a0 (Accessed: 3 November 2026).

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Okafor, Amara [@amaraokafor]. “Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing'.” Short Wave, CIT.ED, 19 Sept. 2026, cit.education/p/5f464a98-ca94-4e64-8506-3e4c6230c7a0.

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Okafor, Amara (@amaraokafor). 2026. “Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing'.” Short Wave. CIT.ED podcast episode, September 19, 2026. https://cit.education/p/5f464a98-ca94-4e64-8506-3e4c6230c7a0.

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Okafor A. Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing' [podcast episode on the Internet]. Short Wave. CIT.ED; 2026 Sep 19 [cited 2026 Nov 3]. Available from: https://cit.education/p/5f464a98-ca94-4e64-8506-3e4c6230c7a0

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