There’s something irresistible about fiction that feels like a friend.
Whether you’re curled up with a romantic thriller, a beachy escape, or a heartstring-tugging drama, the right story has a way of settling your spirit and stirring your soul. But what if I told you reading fiction is doing even more than relaxing you after a long day?
According to a review of studies in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, reading fiction doesn’t just ease stress and improve your vocabulary—it actually boosts empathy. That’s right. The more we read, the more we understand others, relate to different perspectives, and show up in life with a little more grace.
Reading fiction is more than a hobby—it’s a quiet form of self-evolution.
It’s no wonder I’ve always gravitated toward rich stories full of heart and fire. I want characters who live big, love deeply, and fight for their truths. I want pages that make me laugh, cry, and cheer all at once. And if I can close a book feeling a little more me than when I opened it? That’s the good stuff.
Here’s what’s currently stacked on my nightstand—the books making me feel, think, and grow this month:
What I’m Reading:
Summer in the City by Alex Aster – bright, bold, and full of juicy drama
Endless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand – the queen of emotional escape
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – high-stakes and heartfelt
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes – full of soul and second chances
The Mirror by Nora Roberts – mystery meets magic (she’s still the GOAT)
It’s So You by Kate Spade New York – for style and spirit lovers
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon – primal, passionate, and wildly unputdownable
Each book has something to say—and not just about the characters. They whisper truths back to us, about resilience, risk, romance, and reinvention.
So if you needed a sign to dive into fiction again, this is it.
Let your next book be more than a break—it can be a breakthrough.
Read well. Live well.
Love,
Emma
EmmaCohan.com 
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