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Getting absorbed in a story can alter your perception of time.
When attention becomes deeply focused on a narrative, readers may become less aware of what's happening around them.
This experience is sometimes described as narrative transportation.
Readers can mentally enter the story world, directing attention toward characters and events rather than their immediate surroundings.
Research on narrative engagement shows that transportation involves attention, imagery, and emotional involvement.
That's one reason someone can intend to read for ten minutes and suddenly realize an hour has passed.
The book didn't change time—your attention changed how closely you were monitoring it.
© Frontiers in Psychology