It’s a common superpower, Jack. I still read in this way when the writer is skilled enough to transport to their world. It is an education because all those vicarious experiences have left memories as rich and detailed and powerful as any other I have and I’ve many the time convinced others of my experiences through those memories.

It is a two-way connection — the writer has to be good enough to be able to capture you, but you have to want to be captured — sort of like Douglas Adams’ (?) idea of missing the ground when falling :)