If you don’t enjoy reading novels, research suggests you should give the hobby another try. Not only does reading fiction make you kinder, but it also makes you more understanding of others, studies claim.

Dr. Merriel M. Chase’s love of reading led her to become the author of two fiction novels, “Steps Ordered” and “Esmerelda, The Gifted, Volume 1.” While both books are fiction, she based “Steps Ordered” on some of her life experiences and hopes readers will enjoy and learn from the tale of the story’s main character, Jessica.

An aspiring dentist, Jessica allows past sexual abuse from a relative to lead her into one troubled relationship after another. On the cusp of finding professional success, she is faced with a medical emergency that forces her to confront her self-destructive behavior.

Dr. Chase hopes her novel will deepen readers’ understanding of what it takes to overcome sexual abuse and the role God played in her own recovery. Based on several studies about the benefits of reading, her novels have a strong chance of doing just that.

According to a 2006 study, people who frequently read fiction are better able to understand and relate to their peers in social settings. “Frequent fiction readers may thus bolster or maintain their social abilities unlike frequent readers of non-fiction,” the study stated. A separate study in 2013 found that reading forces people to be more empathetic to the characters on the page, which translates to real life situations.

If you’re looking for an engaging new fiction novel to read, purchase a copy of “Steps Ordered” by Dr. Merriel M. Chase. Visit her website for a preview of the book or like her page on Facebook for updates and special offers.