I have to admit, that escapism is a type of pastime, but reading a book does more. There are educational values, because many novelists like to use words that you would never ever use in regular every day speech. I’ve learned so many words just from reading. It also teaches you to pay attention, because many books have subtle plot twists.
Einstein said
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."
