That was the headline above the by line by Tomas Jivanda in an article in The Independent last week.
He reported on a research study out of Emory University. The essence of it is summarized in this sentence from the piece.
“Being pulled into the world of a gripping novel can trigger actual, measurable changes in the brain that linger for at least five days after reading, scientists have said.”
Here’s a new scientific postulate: Is the lingering effect enhanced and extended to say 10 or 20 days of mental optimization if the subject of said gripping novel is the brain itself?
Well, the world of my first, hopefully ‘gripping’ novel, was about the human brain itself. It’s deep layers and the mapping of it. Therefore, if the average run of the mill novel with ‘great grip’ can increase your noodle powers for 5 days then certainly getting a grip on my first book, The Eighth Day, could prove to be mental Viagra.
As you know, a fancy-schmancy University like Emory has all kinds of funding for research projects, but here at The Avitabile Institute for Advanced Mental Studies, we’re asking for volunteers to read The Eighth Day and chart your increased mental activity in an effort to prove the above postulate. Just go to Amazon, B&N, and iTunes and order the book. Then just let The Eighth day do its voodoo that it do so well.
Please post your results on Amazon, B&N, and iTunes here. Your findings will be tabulated along with those of thousands of other participants and the results printed in the Journal of the American Mind in their March 2014 issue.
So be prepared for the increased and sustained mental proficiency and ecstasy this experiment may yield, but first a few words from the lawyer:
“The Avitabile Institute for Advanced Mental Studies, is not legally responsible for any costs incurred or psychological or medical side effects including but not limited to; euphoria, suspense, thrills, terror, tender moments, laugh out loud knee-slapping hijinks or any other symptoms associated in reading the author’s work. Participants will not be compensated for their contributions. They will however enjoy the gratitude of the author for their procurement of the work piece of the study, The Eighth Day. The Hammer of God is also acceptable as a substitute.”
Tom Avitabile | Best Selling Author, Book Coach, and Screenwriter 