You say you don't like to read? Forgive us, but we librarians think that's impossible...Optimistically we feel like you just haven't found the right book.
Or perhaps you once loved to read...but someone, perhaps a high school English teacher, forced you to read something you loathed and now you have lost your love for reading?
Never fear.
Here are some books you might try.
Something short like a graphic novel?
Maus. March. Relish.
How about a novel told in verse?
Out of the Dust.
The Lover's Dictionary.
Or a novel written in the form of a diary?
These is My Words.
A comic book?
Strange Planet.
The Far Side.
Maybe a kids' book?
Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Anne of Green Gables.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Something with compelling characters.
Lonesome Dove.
True Grit.
Something people have read and loved for centuries?
Favorite Folktales from Around the World.
Something browsable. Just read the parts you want and skip the rest...
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World.
Atlas Obscura.
Lonely Planet's Beautiful World.
Something with a movie tie-in?
The Martian.
Ready Player One.
Something spooky or mysterious?
The Secret History.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
A book by a fabulous writer?
Anything Bill Bryson.
Anything Erik Larson.
Anything Charles Dickens or Jane Austen.
And if these don't work for you, please don't give up. Contact me. I have lots of other ideas...
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Each Tuesday That Artsy Reader Girl assigns a topic and then post her top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join her and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information.
Anything by Delafield for those who like vintage reads. Nicola Upson in her Josephine Tey series for mid 1920s reads. So so many. Austen always. J C Briggs for the Charles Dickens in detective format!
ReplyDeleteOOh nice selection and topics! Me, I just chose books that were just favorites that I really really enjoyed more than the usual book I enjoy. Lol.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
A movie-tie is a good idea. Makes it feel more accessible to a reluctant reader.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many books that I would put into the hands of a reluctant reader; it's hard to list only a few.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific idea for a post -- and lots of good titles to explore too!
ReplyDeleteThese is My Words is such a great book! I've read it three times. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten all about Lover's Dictionary. I loved that book so much I actually wrote the author. Here is my review, written in the same style, if you care to take a peek: Lover's Dictionary
ReplyDeleteMy brother is not a reader. I've tried to give him different books that I thought he would like but he just doesn't have the patience to read.
ReplyDeleteMy brother reads, but only *serious non-fiction*. I keep buying him these really fun reads, and he always thanks me for them, but I know they are languishing on his shelves.
ReplyDeleteMy post—https://fiftytwo.blog/2021/11/02/ttt-books-to-recommend-to-non-readers/
Happy TTT!
Lori
A great list, Deb! I especially like the category of Something Browsable - Just read the parts you want and skip the rest. I sometimes forget that this counts 🙂, but for many it is a great hook and takes the pressure off.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to re-read every Far Side cartoon ever! Good list.
ReplyDeleteI think the way books are discussed and overly analyzed in school ruins the love of reading for a lot of people. I know once I graduated from university I didn't read a lot, maybe a book or two a month. But I was so sure I wasn't going to read the "heavy" stuff because I had had enough from school. Since then, I've seen my oldest daughter go from loving reading to barely touching a book. It breaks my heart, and I hope in the future she'll find something she'll enjoy. In the meantime, I keep looking for books I think she'll like.
ReplyDeletePam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/bookish-gift-guide-big-spender-edition/
Interesting way to showcase books! I have not heard of most of these and I am an avid reader. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestions, especially the movie tie-in and the kids' books. I remember when I used to teach that so many children who normally refused to read devoured those Harry Potter novels.
ReplyDeleteGraphic novels and verse novels are great suggestions for reluctant readers.
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
I love it when I read someone's list and find myself smiling and that's just what this list did for me.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post, Deb, I love all your suggestions. If someone still doesn't like reading after trying some of these, I don't know, they probably really, really don't want to. And you even share "These is My Words" with me which is a book I really love.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my TTT has a lot of my favourite shorter books.
Wow, this is an amazing list. I'm pretty sure you can help many reluctant readers find the perfect book for them.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends' isn't really a big reader, but she did try Harry Potter and loved it.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/top-ten-tuesday-340/
How about for humor and warmth trying The Rosie Project, then maybe continue with the sequel and the third book in the trilogy. I have found young adults in particular like these.
ReplyDeleteI really believe that there is a book/genre for everyone. Some people just probably had a bad experience in school and never got over that. These are all great suggestions. I love the idea of graphic novels as there are some really amazing ones and a great way to entice someone to read more.
ReplyDelete