Interesting article from the Financial Times. According to studies, people who read fiction get a number of benefits (beyond the moments of escape we’d expect).
Reading fiction makes you more empathic.
They also have more emotional intelligence. Because reading exposes the reader to a broad range of experiences and cultures. And perspectives different from their own. Great news for those of us who have to deal with a range of coworkers and customers.
Fiction readers have a more “complex worldview”
Readers are comfortable with ambiguity, can understand behaviour in terms of complex systems. That is, they are less likely to believe that behaviour can be explained by “immutable characteristics”. Eg. I wonder if Bob has a problem, he’s not working as well as usual. Rather than: Typical Bob. He’s a lazy person.
Fiction readers also have less of a need for “cognitive closure”
That is, to “know” a conclusion to something, even if it’s incorrect or irrational. Eg. Readers are more likely to ask Bob if anything is bothering him. Non-readers are happier to reinforce their belief that Bob is lazy.
The full article is here. Even better, it apparently doesn’t matter if you’re reading an actual book or listening to the audio version…
1,001 behavioural insights 
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