Reading fiction or nonfiction is an essential part of developing our empathy. It helps us understand different perspectives and points of view and gain insight into the experiences of others. When we read about characters in stories, we can relate to their struggles and triumphs, allowing us to grow with them as they learn from life's lessons. How reading fiction or nonfiction affects the development of empathy depends on the individual reader's perspective and how much time they devote to reading. Readers of fiction are often drawn into a story to the point that they feel connected to the characters while gaining valuable insight into human behavior. Readers of nonfiction may not be able to form the same emotional bonds, but still benefit greatly from understanding facts and figures about people and events around the world. To summarize: - Reading both fiction and nonfiction increases the ability to develop empathy. - Both genres offer unique opportunities to learn more about oneself, others, and the world at large. - In fiction, you can form a deep bond with fictional characters and learn truths about life through their journey. - Nonfiction books offer factual information that provides context for real-life situations and stories. Whether you pick up a book of short stories or read up on current events, both have the potential to increase your empathy!