Why Should People Read Fiction?

I see things all the time about the questions we ought to be asking ourselves as writers.  Questions we ought to know the answers to.

For instance, who's your target market?

I'm all like "I don't know... people who read?"

The other night, the question "Why should people read fiction?" was presented on FB. 

I'm all like "No clue." If someone came up to me tomorrow and asked me why they should read fiction, I'd probably be like 'if you don't already read it, I can't help you'. 

Or if they asked me why they should read my books in particular, I'd begin by asking them questions instead of giving them a straight answer.  "Do you read fiction?" Check.  "What kinds of books do you like to read?" If they name any of the genres I write, I'll give them a bookmark, point out which books meet their specifications, and let them decide.  If they still asked why they should read MY books instead of someone else's, I'd probably stare at them blankly.  Or maybe blurt out the answer, "because they're fun".  Which isn't really an answer when you think about it. 


The answer to why I read fiction changes with the time of day, my mood, current events, life, etc.  It's an escape, it's a stress reducer, it's research, there's nothing on TV, something pissed me off and I want to forget about it for a while, I'm procrastinating... 

Maybe that's why I can't come with an answer for someone else. 

:shrug:

Do you have an answer?  What would it be?