Ever wondered what it would be like to land a $1,000,000 book deal—only to find yourself so paralyzed by writer’s block that you might have to give the money back or face a lawsuit?

No?

Me neither.

What about being accused of a cold-case murder you didn’t commit?

Still no?

Same here.

But I did get to live through both of those wildly stressful, emotionally-charged situations… by reading The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker.

And believe it or not, reading that story actually has everything to do with your mental health.

The Power of Stepping Into Someone Else’s Story

When you read a story—whether it’s a twisty thriller or a poignant memoir—your brain does something extraordinary:
It puts you in someone else’s shoes.

You begin to see the world through another person’s eyes, feel what they feel, and imagine what it would be like to be them. And that, my friend, is how you grow something called emotional intelligence.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is your ability to:

  • Recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions, and

  • Recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.

It’s basically the social-emotional user manual for being a grounded, balanced, emotionally safe human being. And here’s the kicker—people with high EI:

  • Handle stress and setbacks more effectively

  • Navigate relationships with deeper compassion and less drama

  • Excel in leadership roles, teamwork, and conflict resolution

  • Tend to be overall more fulfilled and self-aware

In short, they thrive.

Reading Fiction Isn’t Just for Fun—It’s a Brain Workout

According to researchers, reading literary fiction is strongly linked to higher empathy and increased theory of mind—your ability to understand the beliefs, desires, and perspectives of others.

In fact, one 2013 study in Science found that reading just a few minutes of literary fiction significantly improved participants’ performance on tests measuring social perception and emotional intelligence. [source]

Translation? That murder mystery you devour on the couch isn’t just a guilty pleasure—it’s building your empathy muscle.

So while The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair may seem like just another gripping crime novel, it’s also an exercise in emotional depth. You’ll find yourself questioning motives, reading between the lines, and making space for complexity—which is basically therapy disguised as entertainment.

Why This Matters for Your Mental Health

When you can recognize and process your own emotions, and stay attuned to others, you’re not just more pleasant to be around—you’re mentally stronger.

  • You don’t spiral as easily when life gets hard

  • You build deeper, more secure relationships

  • You’re less reactive and more reflective

  • You become the calm in the chaos instead of being swept up in it

And you can start practicing this right now.
How? Read more fiction.

Ready to Expand Your Emotional Intelligence?

Here are some book recs that stretch your empathy and EQ muscles:

  • The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker – Find it on Bookshop

  • Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

  • Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

  • A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

  • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

You don’t need a million-dollar advance or a murder accusation to transform your emotional world.
You just need a good book—and a willingness to step into someone else’s story.