If you’re a reader, you’re going to love this news about your health

Nothing beats reading a new book while snuggled on the sofa and sipping on a freshly brewed cup of coffee out of your favorite mug. There’s a legitimate reason that you feel refreshed and happier after curling up with a good book. Whether you’re (re)reading classics like The Great Gatsby or laughing uncontrollably at Amy Schumer’s new book, a great story is good for the soul.

Science has just proven a good book is truly good for your health.

A recent study published in Social Science & Medicine discovered that people who regularly read novels were more likely to live longer than those who don’t read at all.

Researchers at Yale University studied more than 3,000 individuals for two decades, from 1992 to 2012.

 All of the participants were over 50 years old when the study started and researchers learned that people who read up to three-and-a-half hours per week were 17% less likely to pass away than those who didn’t read books. And if the participants read more than that amount, they were 23% less likely to die.

Even more amazing, researchers found that regular book reading added an average of two years extra to their lives as well.

Since the team only studied participants who were 50 years and older, it’s unknown what the possible benefits are for book readers who are under 50, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting a head start on your healthy reading right now. And, to be fair, researchers admit they aren’t sure if there’s a specific type of book that is so powerful it can help people live longer but there will likely be some sort of followup from this groundbreaking study.

We’re, of course, crossing our fingers it might be one of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books that way we have more reason to keep on reading them.