Overview of Why we should all be “bookmaxxing”
This NPR Short Wave episode looks at three science topics: the benefits of reading for pleasure, the possibility that the sun could produce a far more powerful solar flare than the ones we’ve seen recently, and a rare discovery of adult T. rex footprints that helps scientists learn more about how the dinosaur moved. The throughline is a reminder that books are not just entertainment—they may support brain health, attention, and emotional well-being across the lifespan.
Reading for fun: why “bookmaxxing” matters
The episode opens with a conversation about childhood reading habits and then turns to new research on the health and cognitive benefits of recreational reading.
Main findings
- Reading for pleasure is declining among children and young people in both the UK and the U.S.
- A review in Psychological Medicine highlights several benefits of reading for fun:
- better attention span
- improved memory
- stronger executive function
- better sleep habits
- improved mental health
- For older adults, recreational reading may help slow brain aging and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Notable study detail
- One study found that grandparents reading to grandchildren was associated with an increase in the size of the hippocampus, a brain region important for learning and memory.
Takeaway
Reading for pleasure appears to be a low-cost, widely accessible habit with benefits across age groups, from childhood development to healthy aging.
Super solar flares: could the sun do more damage?
The second segment explains what solar flares are and what scientists think about the possibility of an extreme “super flare” from our own sun.
What is a solar flare?
- A solar flare is a sudden burst of energy from the sun.
- Recent solar activity in May 2024 caused:
- power grid irregularities
- radio communication disruptions
- visible northern lights as far south as parts of the U.S.
What’s a super flare?
- A super flare would be about 10 to 100 times stronger than a major solar flare.
- Such flares have been observed on other stars, raising the question of whether the sun could do the same.
How scientists studied it
- Researchers examined evidence of solar activity across millennia, including:
- historical drawings of sunspots
- ice core data
- tree rings
- rocks and other geological records
Main takeaway
- The study suggests the sun may be capable of super flares, but that does not mean one is imminent.
- If a major flare were to hit Earth, it would likely cause widespread disruption, especially to power and communications, but not “send us back to the Stone Age.”
Rare adult T. rex tracks: a new window into dinosaur behavior
The final segment covers a rare fossil discovery in the Hell Creek Formation involving what researchers believe are tracks from an adult Tyrannosaurus rex.
Why this is notable
- T. rex footprints are extremely rare.
- This is believed to be the only known trackway from an adult T. rex.
- The footprints are enormous, roughly 3.5 feet long.
What scientists learned
- By measuring the spacing of the tracks, researchers estimated the dinosaur’s walking speed at about 3 to 4 miles per hour—more like a brisk walk or fast hike than a sprint.
- Despite the leisurely pace of this individual, scientists note that T. rex could still likely run around 20 miles per hour.
What’s next
- Researchers plan to study the tracks more closely, possibly looking for:
- skin impressions
- scale evidence
- Finding such details would help scientists better understand what T. rex looked like in life, beyond skeletons alone.
Extra dinosaur fact
- The episode also mentions a separate study suggesting T. rex may have had a body temperature around 97°F, supporting the idea that it was warm-blooded and active rather than cold-blooded like modern reptiles.
Bottom line
This episode’s biggest message is that reading for pleasure is more than a hobby—it may be a meaningful contributor to cognitive health, stress relief, and long-term brain resilience. Alongside that, the episode offers a quick science roundup on solar risk and a fascinating new glimpse into how T. rex moved through its environment.