Why do we read (and write) novels?

On the eve of the Man Booker prize, our insatiable appetite for fiction (and fascination with those who create it) comes sharply into focus. According to the Publishers Association, sales of paperback fiction rose by 3% in 2012 to £502 million, while sales of digital novels soared by almost 150%, reaching £172 million. What's the magic of reading and writing? - Stories have been told for as long as we have been able to speak. From the epic narratives of the Middle Ages to the latest 3D horror movies, the telling and retelling of stories is an important aspect of being human. The enduring appeal of the novel - which takes the reader into a parallel universe - has been boosted by the advent of digital readers and proved resilient in the face of the multiple distractions that bombard us. Book groups flourish and creative writing courses have never been so popular. Just why we continue to be gripped by the make-believe is the subject of a panel discussion at the University of Cambridge Festival of Ideas on 31 October.