It is helpful to read a story with the help of background information that explains the context because if you get confused you can go and read said background info and clear up any confusion. It is also helpful because you can look into it for more of a reference for events or things taking place in the book itself. Context can mean everything when reading a book so it is essential that you have something to back up what is happening in the book itself so that you understand what is going on. Lastly background info can mean the difference between confusion and understanding so having some handy is always a good thing unless you are reading and you don't want anything interfering with your knowledge of the book.
