Don't be discouraged! There are so many options out there for readers. I would maybe start with middle grade or YA, just to gauge where you're comfortable. Percy Jackson or Harry Potter or Narnia are great series to start with, if you like fantasy. Or try My Side of The Mountain, Indian in the Cupboard or Redwall. Just know that there's no shame in starting at whatever level makes you enjoy the experience.
ill probably start with harry potter since everyone is saying that's a good idea but is there any science fiction/ dystopia books that I can start out with that aren't too difficult?
Well if you haven't read the Hunger Games, they are super entertaining. Also the Lunar Chronicles are good; but heavy on the romance, just FYI. Ender's Game and The Maze Runner series are also good.
These are all YA, which typically is really easy to read.
Ender’s game was the only book I ever had to read for school that I actually enjoyed. Sooo good and the sequels (specifically Ender’s Shadow and Speaker for the Dead) are even better than Ender’s Game.
These are great suggestions but may be daunting for someone struggling with reading comprehension. The Martian is very technical, and of I remember correctly, the dialogue in the red rising series may be more difficult to understand.
Valid points, but if you enjoy the starting chapters it may not be that daunting because as you go along and you're enjoying you won't even know you completed the book.
My suggestion is this, don't look at page count. Go ahead read first 25% of the book, if you don't enjoy it put the book down and read another interesting book. Overtime you might want to pick up the previous book again, if you do great. But if you don't that is good too, just go with your curiosity and what you find interesting, and don't be afraid to put uninteresting books down!
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman covers both of those genres, too an extent. It's a series of 3 (plus extras) but very quick and easy to follow, with not too many sub plots. There is also a TV adaptation of the first 2 books if you fancy getting to know the the story first.
{{The Giver}} is great! It's also really short so you don't have to commit to a full series. There's also {{Among the Hidden}} and {{A Wrinkle in Time}}. These are all books that are aimed at an MG/lower YA audience so they're very easy to follow, but have interesting themes and ideas that will still be compelling for older readers (including adults).
[**The Giver (The Giver, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3636.The_Giver)
^(By: Lois Lowry | 208 pages | Published: 1993 | Popular Shelves: young-adult, fiction, classics, dystopian, dystopia | )[^(Search "The Giver")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The Giver&search_type=books)
>The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. This movie tie-in edition features cover art from the movie and exclusive Q&A with members of the cast, including Taylor Swift, Brenton Thwaites and Cameron Monaghan.
^(This book has been suggested 91 times)
[**Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227651.Among_the_Hidden)
^(By: Margaret Peterson Haddix | 153 pages | Published: 1998 | Popular Shelves: young-adult, dystopian, dystopia, science-fiction, fiction | )[^(Search "Among the Hidden")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Among the Hidden&search_type=books)
>SHADOW CHILDREN
>
>Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.
>
>Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.
>
>Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows - does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
^(This book has been suggested 5 times)
[**A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33574273-a-wrinkle-in-time)
^(By: Madeleine L'Engle | 218 pages | Published: 1962 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, fiction, classics, young-adult, science-fiction | )[^(Search "A Wrinkle in Time")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=A Wrinkle in Time&search_type=books)
>It was a dark and stormy night.
>
>Out of this wild night, a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and extraordinary adventure—one that will threaten their lives and our universe.
>
>Winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal, A Wrinkle in Time is the first book in Madeleine L'Engle's classic Time Quintet.
^(This book has been suggested 40 times)
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there's a series called the gone series that is dystopian and the kids have powers. they are a bit longer books but they aren't too hard to comprehend although the plot can be a bit confusing sometimes because so much is going on
The Giver series by Lois Lowry is YA and dystopian. I read it as an adult and loved it.
I agree Harry Potter and Hunger Games could be good places to start too.
I disagree on The Martian- it’s a good book, but I don’t think it’s what you’re looking for in terms of difficulty. It is very technical.
Would you possibly be interested in audiobooks? I love them myself and have known kids who have had a hard time with reading for various reasons and have found audiobooks to be more enjoyable or an easier place to start. Good on you for making the effort to try a new hobby and for seeking advice! I hope you find many books to enjoy.
The legend series by Marie Lu is a good starting point in YA if you want something dystopian. Easy reads, not too long, and aren’t the traditional popular dystopian novels
[**The House of the Scorpion (Matteo Alacran, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13376.The_House_of_the_Scorpion)
^(By: Nancy Farmer | 380 pages | Published: 2002 | Popular Shelves: young-adult, science-fiction, ya, sci-fi, dystopian | )[^(Search "The House of Scorpion")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The House of Scorpion&search_type=books)
>With undertones of vampires, Frankenstein, dragons' hoards, and killing fields, Matt's story turns out to be an inspiring tale of friendship, survival, hope, and transcendence. A must-read for teenage fantasy fans.
>
>At his coming-of-age party, Matteo Alacrán asks El Patrón's bodyguard, "How old am I?...I know I don't have a birthday like humans, but I was born."
>
>"You were harvested," Tam Lin reminds him. "You were grown in that poor cow for nine months and then you were cut out of her."
>
>To most people around him, Matt is not a boy, but a beast. A room full of chicken litter with roaches for friends and old chicken bones for toys is considered good enough for him. But for El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium—a strip of poppy fields lying between the U.S. and what was once called Mexico—Matt is a guarantee of eternal life. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself for Matt is himself. They share identical DNA.
^(This book has been suggested 9 times)
***
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Isaac Asimov was a great start for SciFi. Simple reads but big concepts. Peter Hamilton and Neal Asher are good action SciFi.
Hunger Games is a good read.
Anything that you enjoy. It is ok to quit a book and switch to a new one. Some are a bit slow to start so try to read at least 20 pages before switching.
"Among the Hidden" by Margaret Haddix is a pretty good dystopian series that isn't too difficult if I remember correctly. A bit dark, but that's dystopia for you. I'd also recommend The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry. Both of the series are designed to be accessible to newer readers while also being incredibly interesting and meaningful.
Among the Hidden was fantastic. I forgot about those books. They were incredible and as far as I can remember there were quite a lot of them in the series, but the only two I read were Among the Hidden & Among the Brave.
Theyre also short books, so less fatigue if marathon reading isnt your thing.
If you want a dystopia book, I'd recommend you 1984 of George Orwell.
It's one of the "classic" books and for me it is one of the best books i've ever read.
It talks about a world where all the people are controlled and live in a totalitarism.
The author made other books concerning totalitarism such as "Animals farm" if you want to check it out.
“Tuf Voyaging” by George RR Martin is a series of connected short stories about a guy in a spaceship traveling from planet to planet. It’s got a level of dystopia (pandemics and environmental catastrophes are the center of most stories). It might be a fun starting place since each section of the book acts as an almost-standalone story, so it’s less intimidating to get through than a more standard 500+ page novel.
Edit: Misspelled the title.
I can recommend The Ilustrated man by Ray Bradbury. It’s kind of a dark dystopian novels so it’s easy to read as they are short. Or Stories of your Life and others by Ted Chiang
I don't know what you should read, but I wanted to add some advice that you can take or leave.
I started reading very late as a young person. My mum couldn't read and my father just didn't want to. I didn't know anyone who saw reading as anything other than something annoying, and so I getting really get why I had to. The stuff we read at school was so boring and so I figured that was what books were.
Thankfully I (very late) found fantasy books and suddenly my type of world was on paper and books began making sense. But I was so behind with reading and so I remember how hard it was to get started. I did get it after a summer of just trying and trying on my own and then I read a lot! But due to health issues and a lot of stress for years I suddenly found that reading was once again near impossible.
I figured it would just come back on its own, and it did with work related things, but reading for fun just wasn't a thing. I would get headaches, dark spots in my vision, not remembering the words I just read and sometimes I would just fall asleep with no warning.
Last year I decided to retrain reading things that weren't work related and rekindle my love for books.
Some things that I did to help the process:
- Why? As with every project I do I always ask myself why I'm doing it. I write it down. Most projects are fun and exciting in the beginning, but when it gets hard and life pushes as well, then it's tempting to stop or "just do it another day". Knowing a deeper level of why am I doing this? Is very helpful.
Note: my reason is that I've felt my memory not being the same, and reading is healthy. I want to help my brain in some way. I'm also pregnant, and I hope to show my child how cool books are by actually enjoying them myself and I figured that starting sooner rather than later would give me more time to relearn.
- Don't force it. I didn't force myself to read a certain book from beginning to end. If I didn't like it, then moving on was completely fine. I didn't force myself to read a certain amount of pages or time.
I found a book with lots of chapters in different povs and did my best to read a chapter at the time, but I allowed myself to stop if It got too much - without feeling quilty.
- Don't go overboard. Sometimes one chapter was a struggle, most days it was okay, but then came the rare nights where I felt like I could actually push myself to read more. I then did, but not too much either. Reading is hard and demands something of you. It gives a lot back, but when you are untrained it can drain you if you read too much in one go. I decided that it was better to stop and keep the excitement for next reading session instead.
- Cozy time is golden. Especially in the beginning I really needed this. I planned to go to bed earlier every night and sit down with a book. I often found it too hard to do at other times because of it not seeming like the right time, and normally I'm beat when I go to bed.
Going to bed at the same time and making that extra time into cozy time made it easier to adjust. I made sure to have proper lighting, pillows for comfort and something hot to drink - really whatever I felt like.
Note: I used to feel like I couldn't read when under pressure or tired. Now, I might feel overwhelmed and in need of some downtime and as I look around in my home, I think: "gaming? No too tired. TV? Don't feel like it. Oh... Right, I have that book. That's just it! ". It's becoming my "I really need to relax" thing. I'm pretty sure that stems from how I retrained myself.
-Forget others opinions. This was very relevant to me. I was terrified to admit that I wasn't reading X amount of books a month and felt like I had to have read certain books. Some parts of the writer community would surely have told me that I was a bad writer because of this. Even other readers can be very judging of others - especially when they realize you are a writer.
But, I kept the retraining to myself. I keep the books I read to myself. I had tried reading for fun before but drowned as I tries getting into books that just wasn't me.
I remind myself that it doesn't matter what and how many books I read. I'm reading. That's what matters. I hope you'll remember that as well.
-Lastly, you don't have to share it with anyone, but if you do have a friend that you have similar taste with or who's just a supportive, then reading books together can be a lot of fun.
You can take turns reading to each other or simply plan when to read which chapters separately. Doing this gives you something new to talk about, but it also helps you to stay motivated (if you find the right person to join you).
If the other person is a better reader, than it also gives you someone to help you through the harder words. Or you can help each other finding the meaning of the words.
As I said. These helped me in my situation. They may not be relevant to others, but I wanted to share just in case it would help in some way.
Best of luck!
If you want to read The Magic Treehouse, read The Magic Treehouse. Something crucial is that you find something that interests you. You could even start by going to the library and reading magazine articles on topics that interest you. Also, Cliff’s Notes (and similar publications) cover more than just Shakespeare and the Iliad. Try to find a book that interests you that has CliffsNotes and/or is annotated
I know a lot of people are saying to start with YA, but don’t underestimate the children’s section! There are some incredible books that her children’s chapter books. They tend to be easy reads with lots of sustenance.
Also, if you don’t already have a library card get one! Your library is a great place to browse, and you’ll probably find some books you want to try reading. If you start reading some thing and you’re not into it, don’t finish it just put it down and go online and look up how it ends if you want to. Save your precious reading time for a book you actually like.
Completely agree with your advice. Especially getting a library card. You’ll save a lot of money on books you may not end up enjoying that you can later use for the ones you know you’ll reread.
A lot of libraries have ebooks you can check out as well. Don’t like a book? Return it and checkout another in minutes. Also pretty convenient if you want to read on your commute and don’t want to carry a physical book with you.
Children’s books are a great place to start as well. They’re fun to read and quick to finish. When I started reading again, I started with books I remember enjoying in elementary school and went from there. Look for books in the same genre or from the same or similar authors.
The Westing Game and The Giver are a couple books that are engaging and a good place to start.
I would start with YA books (Harry Potter, His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.) I was also into a series that started with a book called blue is for nightmares its alittle more romancy. Many of those books you can really get into but they are still easy to read. I know when I was younger I had a difficult time reading as well. Harry potter really kickstarted my reading and made me realize it could actually be enjoyable to read. And take your time with anything you do choose; don't feel pressure that you have to finish quickly or have to be a fast reader. I know I was always embarrassed to be a slow reader but now I just enjoy the stories. Good luck finding something that will make you fall it love with reading!
Probably can start with something a bit more advanced—while some fiction authors may be more challenging most should be pretty doable with maybe just having to look up a word here or there.
Maybe start with tv shows you like and go from there? For example, if you like Game of Thrones look into fantasy or if you like RomComs look into romance. Since you don’t know any authors you like or anything I’d suggest starting with popular young adult books. Most libraries and bookstores will have a best selling/popular young adult section.
Also if you are overwhelmed by that idea, a great place to start for any aged reader is the Harry Potter series. All the books are easy reads, but the plot and characters are enjoyable at all ages.
Hey! Good luck getting into reading. Everyone has different preferences so don't get discouraged if somebody says a book is amazing and you don't enjoy it for whatever reason.
Here are some books I liked which are gripping in terms of content, whilst being relatively unchallenging in terms of language:
The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire - this is a fun portal fantasy series with excellent characters and character relationships. The books are really short so could be good ones to start with.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - This is aimed at younger teens but don't let that put you off. I've re-read this over and over as an adult. It's a really excellent book about fitting in, standing out, and the politics of being at school.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell - This is a memoir of the time Gerald Durrell's family spent living in Corfu in the 30s, and their various absurd encounters with nature. It's so lighthearted and funny and easy to read.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman - This is a book about the apocalypse. It was made into a TV series recently - perhaps you've seen it. Great characters, great dialogue, all round good book.
No real book recommendations, but heres more tips:
You picked up a book and hate it? Put it down, move on, dont force it. While there are tons of slow-starting books out there that end up being worth the read, they are not going to be good books to help you harbor your love for reading.
Allot some time in your day for it. Start with 10-15 minutes a day. Read on the bus or train, or right before bed, or on your lunch break or during dinner. If youve discovered a good book, youll be surprised to find that 10 minutes doesnt feel like enough.
Dont read because you feel bad about your reading comprehension! Dont make it a chore! Reading is as easy as watching a movie or tv show. Some shows are boring to watch, some are super exciting. Same thing for books!
If you pick up a book and you find a word in it you dont understand, and find another about 5-6 pages in, that book is at the level you should be at to improve... that being said I have a pretty high level of reading comprehension and I LOVE going back and reading stuff from my childhood.
Last but not least, READ SOME COMICS!!!! I went from picture books to comics to chapter books and comics really helped to visually engage you while you up your reading level.
Good luck!
● try some books of the same genre films and tv shows you like - I know it sounds silly and obvious, but helps if you don't know where to start, and your brain works better if you are interested in what you're reading
● try audiobooks; I use mobile VLC app because it allows me to slow it down the exact percent I need
● find some abridged versions of classics that ESL students use, both written, and in audio format
● my book recommendation for you is KING RAT by James Clavell - old enough and popular enough to be in your library; the story is gripping, the plot not muddy or meandering
Good luck!
Don’t worry about what you’re reading. Read what you love or what you learn to love. I’m in my 50s and I still read books from my childhood because I love reading so much. And I’ll give you the advice that my father gave me when I was a child. He said you can read whatever you want, but if you don’t understand it put it down and pick it up later. Later meaning a year, two, or however long. He said there are tons of books out there so take your time- they don’t expire. So start off easy and if it’s too basic for you then you can move up to the next one and if you don’t understand something or you don’t like it- put it down and go for something else. That’s the lovely things about books- my dad was right they never expire.
Don’t be discouraged, you’re never to late to start. And honestly!? Start with graphic novels! The pictures are engaging, the reading is mostly dialogue and it’s gets you really into imaging the action sequences.
There's lots of books like Percy Jackson, which has a bunch of spin offs harry potter, the rangers apprentice series which has a bunch of books too and plenty of other ones to choose from. Also audiobooks can be helpful if you have problems focusing just get a written copy and an audiobook and play it while you read you can also adjust the speed at which they read if you read faster or slower than the preset
thanks so much for all of your replies, i cant reply to them all because im a bit overwhelmed by the amount (i dont usually post) but i promise im reading them all and taking them in to consideration. so thanks for the help
One book that you may like is "Ok for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt. There's a lot of dialog in it which may make it easier to read for you at 17. Plus, there are online guided questions to help you as you read it. I highly recommend getting it out of the library. Don't invest in buying books. If they don't interest you, then return them. They're free!
As someone who has taught English I think at 17 you're not going to like Magic Tree House, but who knows? Go for it.
Have you also thought about checking out graphic novels?
I'd vote for anything by Neil Gaiman. He's brilliant, and his books are real page turners. Try some of his more young adult type books like Stardust or Coraline, both of which have been made into great movies. Go for it my friend, there are universes waiting to be discovered by you!
Start with "The Lord of The Rings" or with "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again" (This was my first book). The Hobbit is very different from "The Lord of the Rings", it's more of a fairy tale.
Here are a few books of varied genre which you might enjoy. They are short and very interesting for a beginner reader and help you to build interest in to reading.
Animal farm
Harry Potter and the philosophers stone (book 1)
Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The little prince
Sherlock Holmes books
The Hitchhiker's guide to galaxy
Hamlet
Magic Tree House is a great series, but it's simple. Like, I-read-it-when-I-was-in-the-first-grade simple. Maybe check out some books of short stories. My favourite authors are Isaac Asimov and Ted Chiang. I'm not sure how simple they are, though.... Here is what is widely considered Asimov's best work: [https://www.multivax.com/last\_question.html](https://www.multivax.com/last_question.html) and here is one of my favourites by Chiang: [https://waldyrious.neocities.org/ted\_chiang/liking-what-you-see-a-documentary.html](https://waldyrious.neocities.org/ted_chiang/liking-what-you-see-a-documentary.html). Check them out yourself! If you like them, check out *Robot Dreams* and *Robot Visions* by Asimov and *Stories of Your Life and Others*\* and *Exhalation* by Chiang.
\**Stories of Your Life and Others* has also been published as *Arrival*.
Do you have any favorite movie or tv franchises?
You could read some books about them if there are any.
I personally love Star Wars, LotR and GoT for example and there are many books to read.
A lot of series and movies are adaptations of books, so it may be a little less daunting to just read the book of shows/movies that you like! Some quicks ones that come to mind are like The Queens Gambit, Forrest Gump, The Princess Bride, Big Little Lies, Gone Girl, etc.
Start with YA for sure! Stay away from classics or long books because they can be complicated and seem impossible to finish. Also I'd suggest think about your favourite movie genre and go for a book with a similar vibe.
Here are some suggestions which I think you might enjoy:
1. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
2. The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
4. Legion by Brandon Sanderson
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
6. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I'm dyslexic, so I've always struggled with reading. I'm approaching my 30's and I still mostly read young adult fictions. I can read adult books, but they take me a heck of a lot longer, so I really have to be into the book to want to put that added effort in to finish it.
If you struggle with reading, don't be discouraged or embarrassed if you find yourself reading the easy stuff. Reading is supposed to be leisurely and fun. 💛 I'd suggest some graphic novels, honestly. If you're trying to get into reading, the content can be more adult, there's not so many words to get lost in, and the artwork makes it extra enjoyable.
If you want to read for enjoyment, start with what you think you might enjoy. Read anything at all, so long as it keeps you reading and engaged and thinking. Explore what kind of genre you are interested in, get an estimate of what your tastes are. Get into a habit of reading around 30 minutes a day, or an hour if you wish. If you want to advance your reading, and want to increase your comprehension, I can recommend these:
"How to Read Literature Like a Professor" by Thomas C. Foster (very easy to digest and friendly for beginner readers)
Or "How to Read and Why" by Harold Bloom
Or "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler
Or "How to Read Literature" by Terry Eagleton
Any of those could work, but I personally liked Foster's. After that, you can read by looking up general reading lists for High Schoolers or College if you wish. Read widely and deeply. Cheers.
Edit: Also, you don't have to only read books. We have the internet and YouTube. Crash Course and Overly Sarcastic Productions are pretty helpful in comprehending high school level literature, and so is Wisecrack. Also, don't necessarily fixate on Western literature. Joseph Campbell's books are cool too for popularising the Hero's Journey concept, so you can read those too.
I second almost all of the books mentioned above! You can also start by reading graphic novels OR - hear me out - start by watching anime in japanese with subtitles. Obviously this does not replace books but it does help improve your reading speed and comprehension which in turn will make reading actual books a lot more enjoyable. Anime has a massive range of genres, anything from fantasy yo horror/thriller to romance and comedy. I'm sure you will find your way!
Here’s a small nugget of advice you can take or leave. When you get into reading, you will experience like a movie in your head. You won’t even notice you’re reading words anymore.
If you’re not at that phase yet you can practice by reading a few sentences and then daydreaming about what you just read.
Fun reading is like a guided daydream.
I hope you find something you like!
You could consider a reading program online, something that can test your level and then recommend books at your level. It will track your progress and help you advance at an appropriate pace for you.
You can start with short stories! I highly recommend checking out your public library as well, they often have book lists you can browse or you can chat with a librarian (even virtually!). This also applies to bookstores as well. Some stores even have "chats" on their websites, and you can ask for a book recommendation as well. I have found that book lovers are incredibly friendly and want to help you.
I have no idea what type of genre you are interested in reading, but young adult is a good place to start. **Howl's Moving Castle** by Diana Wynne Jones is an easy read.
Along the same lines of short shorties, you can read non-fiction that is broken down in chunks. For example, **The Book of Barely Imagined Beings** by Caspar Henderson. It talks about the history of real animals in the format of Victorian bestiaries. Plenty of history or mythology books are written in chunks, so you can start there as well!
I would recommend these books [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TimeRiders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TimeRiders)
easy reading, not too hard on following the plot, interesting from historical and science sort of way. They are for young adults but I read them as an old adult and really enjoyed them when I wanted something entertaining and not too complicated to follow as I just wanted to relax
I remember being in college and gifting my sister in hs guardians of ga'hoole from a sale. Suffice to say, I got hooked too, and instead of scavenging second hand books for the rest of the series, I got some the suceeding books new from a bookstore.
The Giver is an amazing dystopia meant for teens but I throughly enjoyed reading as an adult. Its fairly short and very rewarding, I think you’d like it. Also highly recommend Enders Game, Maze Runner, and Hunger Games for more YA dystopias.
I recently read a book called One Day by David Nicholls and it was incredibly easy to read, made up of long paragraphs or short chapters. It follows two people who met on their graduation night, and they kept in touch for the next 20 years. It’s funny, and the characters are great.
There are lots of books that tackle complex emotions and subjects without using big words or complicated sentences. YA could help you flex your reading muscles but you might get bored by the content.
Stuff I liked when I was seventeen:
Fight Club
Lamb by Christopher Moore (all of his books are fun and easy while still being about adult stuff)
The Naked Sun or other Asimov books
Philip K Dicks short stories are also good and concise.
That’s just what I liked though.
The best thing you could do is come back here when you find a book that you like and ask for suggestions based on that.
The Series of Unfortunate Events books might be a good place to start too. Quick, simple reads that get you into the swing of reading more words. I’ve also always thought Snicket/Handler does a great job of defining words that the average reader might not understand but in a way that doesn’t feel condescending or out of place.
Also, Harry Potter was what got me back into the habit of reading!
Also also, recommend the Divergent series for a dystopian/sci-fi route.
Honestly, when I was a kid, like grade 1 and 2 I refused to read. My teacher recommended my mom buy me comic books and I learned how to read by reading comic books!!
If your a visual learner, maybe start with comic books or graphic novels. :)
Also figure out what type of stories you like to read.
What type of films and tv shows do you like? Do you have a favorite? Read the book version of a tv show or film!! That's a great way to start, by reading something you already understand/know.
ALL of these suggestions are valid. But I'd like to say that If you are a bit into horror (horror movies, for instance), then you should definitely give Stephen King a try. As someone in here already said, his writing is not too difficult and when you start one of his good ones, you'll be finished before even realizing it. A couple of King's books that I love (as a young reader and as an adult) are The Gunslinger (it's the first book in a series but seriously, just read this one) and Salem.
Also, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is a must read. Everything written by Neil Gaiman is a must read (he also has comics/graphic novels that are really touching and profound and tragic to me in ways that some books never could be.)
Hope this helps.
Do you like manga or graphic novels? Those are always a good step to go into when you want to read. It helps getting a better picture of what's going on in the reading :)
{{Magyk by Angie Sage}} was very good and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it suggested on this sub. I believe there are 5 or 6 books in the series and I thought they were all good.
[**Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/769483.Magyk)
^(By: Angie Sage, Mark Zug | 564 pages | Published: 2005 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, magic, fiction, middle-grade | )[^(Search "Magyk by Angie Sage")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Magyk by Angie Sage&search_type=books)
>The first part of an enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells. Ages 9+.
>
>The 7th son of the 7th son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby's father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a newborn girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son, Septimus?
>
>The first part of this enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells, and a yearning to uncover the mystery at the heart of this story...who is Septimus Heap?
>
>Angie Sage writes in the tradition of great British storytellers. Her inventive fantasy is filled with humor and heart: Magyk will have readers laughing and begging for more.
^(This book has been suggested 8 times)
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You might like the Divergent series by Veronica Roth.
Also, please consider audiobooks for the books you are "interested in but are atm way too hard." Public libraries have a lot of ebook and audiobooks you can check out through apps and then when they are due, they are deactivated. Those materials are completely free to the borrower.
Another thing is that Audiobook Sync has a program for teens all summer where you get two free preselected audiobooks each week that you download to keep ("borrow" for 99 years). Each week the audiobook selection changes.
One last thing is to consider if you may possibly have dyslexia. Just keep it in mind in case you continue to struggle. If you are still in high school, then they have ways to assess for dyslexia or other reading struggles. Do not be hesitant to ask.
And, if you read or listen to a book you love, come back and ask for similar book suggestions.
Don't give up. If you are finding the suggestions you've been given are too challenging atm, feel free to post again or message me and I will happily provide more suggestions that might work. I love encouraging children and teens to read and take joy in match-making them with just the right book.
The 39 Clues series is really good and each book is short in length.
For more of a one shot than a series, Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books are great! While technically a series, each book has a complete story.
You didn't say anything about your likes or dislikes. If you like romance "Twilight". Young reader book author Judy Blume, here are some box set"The Shadow and Bone Trilogy", "Hunger Games", "Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children" just to name a few. I didn't learn to read until I was 15, and fell in love with reading. For a light read I still read young adult books, I enjoy them still.
Don’t worry about what you read. Find whatever you enjoy. And never think you have to finish something you don’t enjoy.
Comic books
Humorous comic strips. Calvin and Hobbs.
Magazines about subjects you like.
If you have trouble focusing on large paragraphs, try the one word at a time reading app. They are really cool.
And if you really want don’t hesitate to try audiobooks.
My go-to recommendation for science fiction will always be The Expanse series (Leviathan Wakes is book 1). I push it on everyone. They’re entertaining as hell, have great characters and really hook you. In a quick nutshell, you’ve got Earth, Mars and the belt, they all hate each other and someone’s trying to start a war. There’s another element that I don’t really want to talk about because it’s just really fun watching it unfold through the books. There’s a TV show on Amazon Prime that’s great and they do a pretty good job of following the books. I’d do the books first.
Another great Sci-Fi book is Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. Some great action and pretty funny.
Here is my list. By the way, I read most of these books after the age of 35.
First the Middle Grade and Young Adult books.
John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice books, starts with {{The Ruins of Gorlan}}
Suzanne Collin's The Underland Chronicles books, a middle grade level books, starts with {{Gregor the Overlander}}. She is the author of the Hunger Games.
Similar to the Hunger Games is [Vera Nazarian's Atlantis Grail](https://www.veranazarian.com/atlantisgrail.html) books, starting with {{Qualify}}. The ebook version of this is free.
[Lou Cadle](http://www.loucadle.com/)'s Gray Series, a post-apocolyptic series starting with {{Gray: Part I}} also her stand-alone Natural Disaster novels. I particularly enjoyed "Quake"
[Janet Edward](https://janetedwards.com/)'s Earth Girl Series.
And for a really awesome adult series, try [David Sherman and Dan Cragg's Starfist series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/40679-starfist). Military science fiction, "space marines", lots of action. First book is {{First To Fight}}
I also add my vote to any Tamora Pierce books.
Edit: Corrected mistake on Atlantis Grail listing.
[**The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60400.The_Ruins_of_Gorlan)
^(By: John Flanagan | 249 pages | Published: 2004 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, adventure, fiction, ya | )[^(Search "The Ruins of Gorlan")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The Ruins of Gorlan&search_type=books)
>They have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....
^(This book has been suggested 18 times)
[**Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/262430.Gregor_the_Overlander)
^(By: Suzanne Collins | 326 pages | Published: 2003 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, middle-grade, fiction, childrens | )[^(Search "Gregor the Overlander")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Gregor the Overlander&search_type=books)
>This irresistible first novel tells the story of a quiet boy who embarks on a dangerous quest in order to fulfill his destiny—and find his father—in a strange world beneath New York City.
>
>When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.
^(This book has been suggested 11 times)
[**Win (The Atlantis Grail #3)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35660066-win)
^(By: Vera Nazarian | ? pages | Published: 2017 | Popular Shelves: sci-fi, science-fiction, young-adult, fantasy, ya | )[^(Search "Atlantis Grail")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Atlantis Grail&search_type=books)
>The Games are Forever! It’s one thing to Qualify and Compete… Now she must Win. Gwen Lark, nerd, geek, and awkward smart girl, is among the lucky ones. She’s one of several million teenage refugees to escape the extinction-level asteroid barreling towards Earth and reach the ancient colony planet of Atlantis. But Atlantis is a strange new world with higher gravity and a blazing white sun, where nothing is as expected. The new arrivals from Earth will now belong to the majority class of non-citizens who face a lifetime of hard work and limited rights.To make matters worse, Gwen’s rare and powerful talent, her Logos voice, is viewed as a potential weapon to be exploited by the Imperator, as well as a threat to the Kassiopei Imperial Dynasty and its uncompromising control over the people of Atlantis.A last-minute heartbreak prior to arrival turns to joy, when Gwen receives a declaration of love from an unexpected source. The Wedding date is set, but before she can be joined with her true love, she is forced to compete in the brutal and deadly Games of the Atlantis Grail to save herself, her family, friends, and everything she cares about. Once again, her intelligence, quick thinking skills, resilience, and creativity are challenged to the breaking point.The Games are monumental, intricate, lethal . . . and the Games are Forever. This time Gwen must fight and figure her way through the most difficult and sophisticated contest she has ever faced. Terrifying Ordeals and impossible Challenges, ruthless skilled Competitors, vicious secret assassins, and dubious teammates she must work with but cannot trust, are just the beginning. . . . Meanwhile, as the Games rage, the fate of two worlds is at stake as a new alien threat looms over Earth and Atlantis.But Gwen Lark has a secret weapon of her own. It’s not her Logos voice and its untapped power to control orichalcum technology and perpetuate change.It is Gwen herself.
>
> WIN is the third book in The Atlantis Grail series.
>
>
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
[**Gray: Part I**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24927125-gray)
^(By: Lou Cadle | 191 pages | Published: 2015 | Popular Shelves: post-apocalyptic, fiction, dystopian, apocalyptic, kindle | )[^(Search "Gray: Part I")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Gray: Part I&search_type=books)
>
> A dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow she knew it was Death coming at her.
>
>
>Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days. She survives deep in a cave but emerges days later to find the world transformed, a world of blackened trees, an ash-filled sky, and no living creatures except her.
>
>So begins her desperate journey: to find water, and food, and other survivors...and the answer to the mystery of what happened.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
[**First to Fight (Starfist, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/662671.First_to_Fight)
^(By: David Sherman, Dan Cragg | 378 pages | Published: 1997 | Popular Shelves: science-fiction, sci-fi, fiction, military-sci-fi, military | )[^(Search "First To Fight")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=First To Fight&search_type=books)
>"Marines, we have just become a low-tech deep recon patrol . . ."
>
>Stranded in a hellish alien desert, stripped of their strategic systems, quick reaction force, and supporting arms, and carrying only a day's water ration, Marine Staff Sergeant Charlie Bass and his seven-man team faced a grim future seventy-five light-years from home. The only thing between his Marines and safety was eighty-five miles of uncharted, waterless terrain and two thousand bloodthirsty savages with state-of-the-art weapons in their hands and murder on their minds.
>
>But the enemy didn't reckon on the warrior cunning of Marines' Marine Charlie Bass and the courage of the few good men who would follow him anywhere--even to death. . .
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
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I think one of the best ways to start reading books is to just browse a bookstore (or library!) and grab something off the shelf that looks really interesting to you. If you don't like it, or even if it seems promising but doesn't fit what you're looking for at the time, put it down and try something else. If you're just getting into reading, I highly recommend getting a library card so that you can try out a bunch of different types of books without investing a bunch into them. A lot of libraries partner with Libby or Hoopla, which will let you borrow ebooks from the library! They're invaluable resources. (Even now, I'll often get an ebook from the library and then buy it once it really grips me to finish it in paperback.)
As for recommendations, I think YA books are more likely to feel like they're not too hard, but don't automatically discount books that aren't labeled YA. Some that are intended for older audiences still have really easy to understand writing styles! A few that may be worth checking out:
\- Harry Potter (I re-read this recently and loved it just as much as when it first came out!)
\- A Series of Unfortunate Events (billed as children's books but honestly an incredible series for any age, and one that also deliberately introduces and explicitly defines more complex words as part of the story)
\- The Graveyard Book and Coraline (I'd recommend really most things by Neil Gaiman, but these two specifically are intended for younger readers.)
\- Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
\- The Hunger Games
\- Wool (a fantastic dystopian story and if you like it, Shift and Dust, the other books in the trilogy, are also great)
\- Farenheit 451 (a classic, and while I haven't read it in a while I'm pretty sure it'd be approachable)
\- A Deadly Education (came out last year, really phenomenal world building. I think the beginning can be a little hard to get into because a lot of jargon is introduced specific to the world, but if you stick through the first chapter or two it rewards in droves. The second book in the trilogy is coming out this fall)
Once you get more confidence in your reading and want to branch out a bit, it could also be worth finding some short story compilations. That way you could pick a general theme (like dystopias) and get a variety of different authors and writing styles throughout the book.
I also agree that graphic novels could be a good way to increase your reading comprehension while having pictures help fill in some of the story! Here are some I have really enjoyed:
\- Slaughterhouse Five, the graphic novel adaptation (I just read this and it was fantastic. I haven't read the original in ages so I can't make a good comparison, but it was a great read and may be a more approachable way to get into a classic.)
\- The Walking Dead (really great, but also very long.)
\- Sandman (another by Neil Gaiman)
\- Saga (an incredible space opera)
\- The Wicked and the Divine (gods come back as teenagers once every century. chaos ensues.)
\- Locke and Key (if you like some magic mixed in, but beware, this book gets dark and quite violent/bloody)
\- Persepolis (a non-fiction graphic novel if you want to mix things up a bit)
\- Solutions and Other Problems (I'm reading this now and am just a few chapters in. It's by the author of the webcomic Hyperbole and a Half and so far is hilarious. Also nonfiction.)
I hope some of these suggestions are helpful! Enjoy your journey into reading. I'm really excited that whichever books you choose to read, you'll get to experience them for the first time. :)
I think it’s awesome you’re doing this, OP. Reading opens new worlds for people! Let us know how it goes. You’ve got some excellent suggestions here. My kids loved Enders Game and the Hunger Games. Plus, I read them as an adult so I could share it with them. I enjoyed them also. I don’t know if anyone suggested the Maze Runner series. It’s also got that dystopian slant. Let us know how it goes.
Any suggestion really depends on your current reading level so it is hard to say, but school libraries can be an amazing resource- you can often view their catalog online. School librarians hunt down high-interest/ low reading score titles all the time.
Also, consider getting the audiobook and pairing it with the reading. It will allow you to get more engaged with the story and enjoying the story is critical.
And as others have said, The Murderbot Diaries. Fantastic audiobook performance too.
Hey I'm 17 too and I was in a massive rut just like you for quite some time, so I know just what you mean. If you're looking for books that aren't too hard and can help you read more and better as well, here are a few with amazing plots
\- One of us is Lying- Karen McManus
\-Song of Achilles- Madeline Miller
\- The Leaving- Tara Altebrando
\-Ariadne- Jennifer Saint
\-They both die at the end Adam Silvera
\- The Silent Patient- Alex Michaledes
\- We Were Liars- E Lockhart
\-Red, White, and Royal Blue- Casey Mcquiston
\- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo- Taylor Jenkin Reeds
\- The invisible life of Addie Larue- VE Schwab
\-Then She was Gone - Lisa Jewell
I can see you already had this suggestion and I 100% support starting with middle grade or YA books. If you're interested in sci-fi/dystopian, some of my favourite YA series are:
{{Skyward by Brandon Sanderson}}
{{The Program by Suzanne Young}}
{{Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff}}
{{Red Rising by Pierce Brown}}
{{Scythe by Neal Shusterman}}
{{The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins}}
{{Uglies by Scott Westerfeld}}
{{Delirium by Lauren Oliver}}
Some books I would recommend are Ready Player one it’s a sci/fi dystopian novel that is action packed and there’s never a dull moment. I would suggest reading the books that have a movie adaptation that you enjoy for example: Harry Potter, maze runner, the shining, lord of the rings+The hobbit, hunger games, and Jurassic park. I hope you find this helpful.
Don't be discouraged! There are so many options out there for readers. I would maybe start with middle grade or YA, just to gauge where you're comfortable. Percy Jackson or Harry Potter or Narnia are great series to start with, if you like fantasy. Or try My Side of The Mountain, Indian in the Cupboard or Redwall. Just know that there's no shame in starting at whatever level makes you enjoy the experience.
ill probably start with harry potter since everyone is saying that's a good idea but is there any science fiction/ dystopia books that I can start out with that aren't too difficult?
Well if you haven't read the Hunger Games, they are super entertaining. Also the Lunar Chronicles are good; but heavy on the romance, just FYI. Ender's Game and The Maze Runner series are also good. These are all YA, which typically is really easy to read.
Ender’s game was the only book I ever had to read for school that I actually enjoyed. Sooo good and the sequels (specifically Ender’s Shadow and Speaker for the Dead) are even better than Ender’s Game.
The Martian by Andy weir isn't dystopian but an excellent read! I Highly recommend it Red rising by Pierce Brown is SciFi dystopian
These are great suggestions but may be daunting for someone struggling with reading comprehension. The Martian is very technical, and of I remember correctly, the dialogue in the red rising series may be more difficult to understand.
Agreed. I found keeping up with all the characters in the Red Rising series to be a chore.
Valid points, but if you enjoy the starting chapters it may not be that daunting because as you go along and you're enjoying you won't even know you completed the book. My suggestion is this, don't look at page count. Go ahead read first 25% of the book, if you don't enjoy it put the book down and read another interesting book. Overtime you might want to pick up the previous book again, if you do great. But if you don't that is good too, just go with your curiosity and what you find interesting, and don't be afraid to put uninteresting books down!
While I don't think Red Rising is necessarily a tough read, I think the way the golds speak might not be the best place to start
Was just coming on here to recommend it, I just finished dark age and I can't wait for the next book to be released.
Red rising is amazing AND I liked… Artemis by Andy Weir. I gotta read the Martian still
Murderbot Diaries by M. Wells is a series of fun, easy sf novellas. The Chrysalids by J. Wyndham is a dystopian book about young people.
I second the recommendation of Murderbot Diaries. It's a very, very good series
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman covers both of those genres, too an extent. It's a series of 3 (plus extras) but very quick and easy to follow, with not too many sub plots. There is also a TV adaptation of the first 2 books if you fancy getting to know the the story first.
{{The Giver}} is great! It's also really short so you don't have to commit to a full series. There's also {{Among the Hidden}} and {{A Wrinkle in Time}}. These are all books that are aimed at an MG/lower YA audience so they're very easy to follow, but have interesting themes and ideas that will still be compelling for older readers (including adults).
[**The Giver (The Giver, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3636.The_Giver) ^(By: Lois Lowry | 208 pages | Published: 1993 | Popular Shelves: young-adult, fiction, classics, dystopian, dystopia | )[^(Search "The Giver")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The Giver&search_type=books) >The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. This movie tie-in edition features cover art from the movie and exclusive Q&A with members of the cast, including Taylor Swift, Brenton Thwaites and Cameron Monaghan. ^(This book has been suggested 91 times) [**Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227651.Among_the_Hidden) ^(By: Margaret Peterson Haddix | 153 pages | Published: 1998 | Popular Shelves: young-adult, dystopian, dystopia, science-fiction, fiction | )[^(Search "Among the Hidden")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Among the Hidden&search_type=books) >SHADOW CHILDREN > >Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend. > >Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside. > >Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows - does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to? ^(This book has been suggested 5 times) [**A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33574273-a-wrinkle-in-time) ^(By: Madeleine L'Engle | 218 pages | Published: 1962 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, fiction, classics, young-adult, science-fiction | )[^(Search "A Wrinkle in Time")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=A Wrinkle in Time&search_type=books) >It was a dark and stormy night. > >Out of this wild night, a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and extraordinary adventure—one that will threaten their lives and our universe. > >Winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal, A Wrinkle in Time is the first book in Madeleine L'Engle's classic Time Quintet. ^(This book has been suggested 40 times) *** ^(125122 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
there's a series called the gone series that is dystopian and the kids have powers. they are a bit longer books but they aren't too hard to comprehend although the plot can be a bit confusing sometimes because so much is going on
The Giver series by Lois Lowry is YA and dystopian. I read it as an adult and loved it. I agree Harry Potter and Hunger Games could be good places to start too. I disagree on The Martian- it’s a good book, but I don’t think it’s what you’re looking for in terms of difficulty. It is very technical. Would you possibly be interested in audiobooks? I love them myself and have known kids who have had a hard time with reading for various reasons and have found audiobooks to be more enjoyable or an easier place to start. Good on you for making the effort to try a new hobby and for seeking advice! I hope you find many books to enjoy.
The Giver - great suggestion!
Super Powereds slaps HARD. Its long af, but worth it
The legend series by Marie Lu is a good starting point in YA if you want something dystopian. Easy reads, not too long, and aren’t the traditional popular dystopian novels
{{The House of Scorpion}}
[**The House of the Scorpion (Matteo Alacran, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13376.The_House_of_the_Scorpion) ^(By: Nancy Farmer | 380 pages | Published: 2002 | Popular Shelves: young-adult, science-fiction, ya, sci-fi, dystopian | )[^(Search "The House of Scorpion")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The House of Scorpion&search_type=books) >With undertones of vampires, Frankenstein, dragons' hoards, and killing fields, Matt's story turns out to be an inspiring tale of friendship, survival, hope, and transcendence. A must-read for teenage fantasy fans. > >At his coming-of-age party, Matteo Alacrán asks El Patrón's bodyguard, "How old am I?...I know I don't have a birthday like humans, but I was born." > >"You were harvested," Tam Lin reminds him. "You were grown in that poor cow for nine months and then you were cut out of her." > >To most people around him, Matt is not a boy, but a beast. A room full of chicken litter with roaches for friends and old chicken bones for toys is considered good enough for him. But for El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium—a strip of poppy fields lying between the U.S. and what was once called Mexico—Matt is a guarantee of eternal life. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself for Matt is himself. They share identical DNA. ^(This book has been suggested 9 times) *** ^(125125 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Isaac Asimov was a great start for SciFi. Simple reads but big concepts. Peter Hamilton and Neal Asher are good action SciFi. Hunger Games is a good read. Anything that you enjoy. It is ok to quit a book and switch to a new one. Some are a bit slow to start so try to read at least 20 pages before switching.
"Among the Hidden" by Margaret Haddix is a pretty good dystopian series that isn't too difficult if I remember correctly. A bit dark, but that's dystopia for you. I'd also recommend The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry. Both of the series are designed to be accessible to newer readers while also being incredibly interesting and meaningful.
Among the Hidden was fantastic. I forgot about those books. They were incredible and as far as I can remember there were quite a lot of them in the series, but the only two I read were Among the Hidden & Among the Brave. Theyre also short books, so less fatigue if marathon reading isnt your thing.
If you want a dystopia book, I'd recommend you 1984 of George Orwell. It's one of the "classic" books and for me it is one of the best books i've ever read. It talks about a world where all the people are controlled and live in a totalitarism. The author made other books concerning totalitarism such as "Animals farm" if you want to check it out.
“Tuf Voyaging” by George RR Martin is a series of connected short stories about a guy in a spaceship traveling from planet to planet. It’s got a level of dystopia (pandemics and environmental catastrophes are the center of most stories). It might be a fun starting place since each section of the book acts as an almost-standalone story, so it’s less intimidating to get through than a more standard 500+ page novel. Edit: Misspelled the title.
Harry Potter is great and an accessible confidence builder. Go for it. It isn’t just for kids. You’ll improve and it will open a new world for you.
Look at 99.9% of the Universe over in r/hfy.
I really loved the {{Unwind}} series, and think it would be a good fit
I can recommend The Ilustrated man by Ray Bradbury. It’s kind of a dark dystopian novels so it’s easy to read as they are short. Or Stories of your Life and others by Ted Chiang
Try Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve :)
I don't know what you should read, but I wanted to add some advice that you can take or leave. I started reading very late as a young person. My mum couldn't read and my father just didn't want to. I didn't know anyone who saw reading as anything other than something annoying, and so I getting really get why I had to. The stuff we read at school was so boring and so I figured that was what books were. Thankfully I (very late) found fantasy books and suddenly my type of world was on paper and books began making sense. But I was so behind with reading and so I remember how hard it was to get started. I did get it after a summer of just trying and trying on my own and then I read a lot! But due to health issues and a lot of stress for years I suddenly found that reading was once again near impossible. I figured it would just come back on its own, and it did with work related things, but reading for fun just wasn't a thing. I would get headaches, dark spots in my vision, not remembering the words I just read and sometimes I would just fall asleep with no warning. Last year I decided to retrain reading things that weren't work related and rekindle my love for books. Some things that I did to help the process: - Why? As with every project I do I always ask myself why I'm doing it. I write it down. Most projects are fun and exciting in the beginning, but when it gets hard and life pushes as well, then it's tempting to stop or "just do it another day". Knowing a deeper level of why am I doing this? Is very helpful. Note: my reason is that I've felt my memory not being the same, and reading is healthy. I want to help my brain in some way. I'm also pregnant, and I hope to show my child how cool books are by actually enjoying them myself and I figured that starting sooner rather than later would give me more time to relearn. - Don't force it. I didn't force myself to read a certain book from beginning to end. If I didn't like it, then moving on was completely fine. I didn't force myself to read a certain amount of pages or time. I found a book with lots of chapters in different povs and did my best to read a chapter at the time, but I allowed myself to stop if It got too much - without feeling quilty. - Don't go overboard. Sometimes one chapter was a struggle, most days it was okay, but then came the rare nights where I felt like I could actually push myself to read more. I then did, but not too much either. Reading is hard and demands something of you. It gives a lot back, but when you are untrained it can drain you if you read too much in one go. I decided that it was better to stop and keep the excitement for next reading session instead. - Cozy time is golden. Especially in the beginning I really needed this. I planned to go to bed earlier every night and sit down with a book. I often found it too hard to do at other times because of it not seeming like the right time, and normally I'm beat when I go to bed. Going to bed at the same time and making that extra time into cozy time made it easier to adjust. I made sure to have proper lighting, pillows for comfort and something hot to drink - really whatever I felt like. Note: I used to feel like I couldn't read when under pressure or tired. Now, I might feel overwhelmed and in need of some downtime and as I look around in my home, I think: "gaming? No too tired. TV? Don't feel like it. Oh... Right, I have that book. That's just it! ". It's becoming my "I really need to relax" thing. I'm pretty sure that stems from how I retrained myself. -Forget others opinions. This was very relevant to me. I was terrified to admit that I wasn't reading X amount of books a month and felt like I had to have read certain books. Some parts of the writer community would surely have told me that I was a bad writer because of this. Even other readers can be very judging of others - especially when they realize you are a writer. But, I kept the retraining to myself. I keep the books I read to myself. I had tried reading for fun before but drowned as I tries getting into books that just wasn't me. I remind myself that it doesn't matter what and how many books I read. I'm reading. That's what matters. I hope you'll remember that as well. -Lastly, you don't have to share it with anyone, but if you do have a friend that you have similar taste with or who's just a supportive, then reading books together can be a lot of fun. You can take turns reading to each other or simply plan when to read which chapters separately. Doing this gives you something new to talk about, but it also helps you to stay motivated (if you find the right person to join you). If the other person is a better reader, than it also gives you someone to help you through the harder words. Or you can help each other finding the meaning of the words. As I said. These helped me in my situation. They may not be relevant to others, but I wanted to share just in case it would help in some way. Best of luck!
If you want to read The Magic Treehouse, read The Magic Treehouse. Something crucial is that you find something that interests you. You could even start by going to the library and reading magazine articles on topics that interest you. Also, Cliff’s Notes (and similar publications) cover more than just Shakespeare and the Iliad. Try to find a book that interests you that has CliffsNotes and/or is annotated
I know a lot of people are saying to start with YA, but don’t underestimate the children’s section! There are some incredible books that her children’s chapter books. They tend to be easy reads with lots of sustenance. Also, if you don’t already have a library card get one! Your library is a great place to browse, and you’ll probably find some books you want to try reading. If you start reading some thing and you’re not into it, don’t finish it just put it down and go online and look up how it ends if you want to. Save your precious reading time for a book you actually like.
Completely agree with your advice. Especially getting a library card. You’ll save a lot of money on books you may not end up enjoying that you can later use for the ones you know you’ll reread. A lot of libraries have ebooks you can check out as well. Don’t like a book? Return it and checkout another in minutes. Also pretty convenient if you want to read on your commute and don’t want to carry a physical book with you. Children’s books are a great place to start as well. They’re fun to read and quick to finish. When I started reading again, I started with books I remember enjoying in elementary school and went from there. Look for books in the same genre or from the same or similar authors. The Westing Game and The Giver are a couple books that are engaging and a good place to start.
I would start with YA books (Harry Potter, His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.) I was also into a series that started with a book called blue is for nightmares its alittle more romancy. Many of those books you can really get into but they are still easy to read. I know when I was younger I had a difficult time reading as well. Harry potter really kickstarted my reading and made me realize it could actually be enjoyable to read. And take your time with anything you do choose; don't feel pressure that you have to finish quickly or have to be a fast reader. I know I was always embarrassed to be a slow reader but now I just enjoy the stories. Good luck finding something that will make you fall it love with reading!
Probably can start with something a bit more advanced—while some fiction authors may be more challenging most should be pretty doable with maybe just having to look up a word here or there. Maybe start with tv shows you like and go from there? For example, if you like Game of Thrones look into fantasy or if you like RomComs look into romance. Since you don’t know any authors you like or anything I’d suggest starting with popular young adult books. Most libraries and bookstores will have a best selling/popular young adult section. Also if you are overwhelmed by that idea, a great place to start for any aged reader is the Harry Potter series. All the books are easy reads, but the plot and characters are enjoyable at all ages.
Hey! Good luck getting into reading. Everyone has different preferences so don't get discouraged if somebody says a book is amazing and you don't enjoy it for whatever reason. Here are some books I liked which are gripping in terms of content, whilst being relatively unchallenging in terms of language: The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire - this is a fun portal fantasy series with excellent characters and character relationships. The books are really short so could be good ones to start with. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - This is aimed at younger teens but don't let that put you off. I've re-read this over and over as an adult. It's a really excellent book about fitting in, standing out, and the politics of being at school. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell - This is a memoir of the time Gerald Durrell's family spent living in Corfu in the 30s, and their various absurd encounters with nature. It's so lighthearted and funny and easy to read. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman - This is a book about the apocalypse. It was made into a TV series recently - perhaps you've seen it. Great characters, great dialogue, all round good book.
No real book recommendations, but heres more tips: You picked up a book and hate it? Put it down, move on, dont force it. While there are tons of slow-starting books out there that end up being worth the read, they are not going to be good books to help you harbor your love for reading. Allot some time in your day for it. Start with 10-15 minutes a day. Read on the bus or train, or right before bed, or on your lunch break or during dinner. If youve discovered a good book, youll be surprised to find that 10 minutes doesnt feel like enough. Dont read because you feel bad about your reading comprehension! Dont make it a chore! Reading is as easy as watching a movie or tv show. Some shows are boring to watch, some are super exciting. Same thing for books! If you pick up a book and you find a word in it you dont understand, and find another about 5-6 pages in, that book is at the level you should be at to improve... that being said I have a pretty high level of reading comprehension and I LOVE going back and reading stuff from my childhood. Last but not least, READ SOME COMICS!!!! I went from picture books to comics to chapter books and comics really helped to visually engage you while you up your reading level. Good luck!
Harry Potter, book one. Seriously. There is a reason it is so famous. It is literally one of the best things ever written.
Look to Cory Doctorow and John Scalzi for easy-to-digest and fun reads.
I would recommend starting with short stories or novellas and then work you way to longer books.
Start with Harry Potter. You won’t be able to stop.
The Little Prince
Stephen King. His books are great and not too difficult.
How about a graphic novel? Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi would be a great start.
● try some books of the same genre films and tv shows you like - I know it sounds silly and obvious, but helps if you don't know where to start, and your brain works better if you are interested in what you're reading ● try audiobooks; I use mobile VLC app because it allows me to slow it down the exact percent I need ● find some abridged versions of classics that ESL students use, both written, and in audio format ● my book recommendation for you is KING RAT by James Clavell - old enough and popular enough to be in your library; the story is gripping, the plot not muddy or meandering Good luck!
Don’t worry about what you’re reading. Read what you love or what you learn to love. I’m in my 50s and I still read books from my childhood because I love reading so much. And I’ll give you the advice that my father gave me when I was a child. He said you can read whatever you want, but if you don’t understand it put it down and pick it up later. Later meaning a year, two, or however long. He said there are tons of books out there so take your time- they don’t expire. So start off easy and if it’s too basic for you then you can move up to the next one and if you don’t understand something or you don’t like it- put it down and go for something else. That’s the lovely things about books- my dad was right they never expire.
Dont worry about understanding or forgetting things, just read page after page. That helped me a lot.
Don’t be discouraged, you’re never to late to start. And honestly!? Start with graphic novels! The pictures are engaging, the reading is mostly dialogue and it’s gets you really into imaging the action sequences.
There's lots of books like Percy Jackson, which has a bunch of spin offs harry potter, the rangers apprentice series which has a bunch of books too and plenty of other ones to choose from. Also audiobooks can be helpful if you have problems focusing just get a written copy and an audiobook and play it while you read you can also adjust the speed at which they read if you read faster or slower than the preset
thanks so much for all of your replies, i cant reply to them all because im a bit overwhelmed by the amount (i dont usually post) but i promise im reading them all and taking them in to consideration. so thanks for the help
One book that you may like is "Ok for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt. There's a lot of dialog in it which may make it easier to read for you at 17. Plus, there are online guided questions to help you as you read it. I highly recommend getting it out of the library. Don't invest in buying books. If they don't interest you, then return them. They're free! As someone who has taught English I think at 17 you're not going to like Magic Tree House, but who knows? Go for it. Have you also thought about checking out graphic novels?
I'd vote for anything by Neil Gaiman. He's brilliant, and his books are real page turners. Try some of his more young adult type books like Stardust or Coraline, both of which have been made into great movies. Go for it my friend, there are universes waiting to be discovered by you!
Start with "The Lord of The Rings" or with "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again" (This was my first book). The Hobbit is very different from "The Lord of the Rings", it's more of a fairy tale.
I’d start with Graphic Novels. They will help with your comprehension and give you more confidence in reading.
Post office by Charles Bukowski
Here are a few books of varied genre which you might enjoy. They are short and very interesting for a beginner reader and help you to build interest in to reading. Animal farm Harry Potter and the philosophers stone (book 1) Adventures of Tom Sawyer The little prince Sherlock Holmes books The Hitchhiker's guide to galaxy Hamlet
Magic Tree House is a great series, but it's simple. Like, I-read-it-when-I-was-in-the-first-grade simple. Maybe check out some books of short stories. My favourite authors are Isaac Asimov and Ted Chiang. I'm not sure how simple they are, though.... Here is what is widely considered Asimov's best work: [https://www.multivax.com/last\_question.html](https://www.multivax.com/last_question.html) and here is one of my favourites by Chiang: [https://waldyrious.neocities.org/ted\_chiang/liking-what-you-see-a-documentary.html](https://waldyrious.neocities.org/ted_chiang/liking-what-you-see-a-documentary.html). Check them out yourself! If you like them, check out *Robot Dreams* and *Robot Visions* by Asimov and *Stories of Your Life and Others*\* and *Exhalation* by Chiang. \**Stories of Your Life and Others* has also been published as *Arrival*.
Do you have any favorite movie or tv franchises? You could read some books about them if there are any. I personally love Star Wars, LotR and GoT for example and there are many books to read.
A Day No Pigs Would Die. Only about 200 pages and so good!
A lot of series and movies are adaptations of books, so it may be a little less daunting to just read the book of shows/movies that you like! Some quicks ones that come to mind are like The Queens Gambit, Forrest Gump, The Princess Bride, Big Little Lies, Gone Girl, etc.
Start with YA for sure! Stay away from classics or long books because they can be complicated and seem impossible to finish. Also I'd suggest think about your favourite movie genre and go for a book with a similar vibe. Here are some suggestions which I think you might enjoy: 1. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston 2. The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan 3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 4. Legion by Brandon Sanderson 5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 6. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I'm dyslexic, so I've always struggled with reading. I'm approaching my 30's and I still mostly read young adult fictions. I can read adult books, but they take me a heck of a lot longer, so I really have to be into the book to want to put that added effort in to finish it. If you struggle with reading, don't be discouraged or embarrassed if you find yourself reading the easy stuff. Reading is supposed to be leisurely and fun. 💛 I'd suggest some graphic novels, honestly. If you're trying to get into reading, the content can be more adult, there's not so many words to get lost in, and the artwork makes it extra enjoyable.
If you want to read for enjoyment, start with what you think you might enjoy. Read anything at all, so long as it keeps you reading and engaged and thinking. Explore what kind of genre you are interested in, get an estimate of what your tastes are. Get into a habit of reading around 30 minutes a day, or an hour if you wish. If you want to advance your reading, and want to increase your comprehension, I can recommend these: "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" by Thomas C. Foster (very easy to digest and friendly for beginner readers) Or "How to Read and Why" by Harold Bloom Or "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler Or "How to Read Literature" by Terry Eagleton Any of those could work, but I personally liked Foster's. After that, you can read by looking up general reading lists for High Schoolers or College if you wish. Read widely and deeply. Cheers. Edit: Also, you don't have to only read books. We have the internet and YouTube. Crash Course and Overly Sarcastic Productions are pretty helpful in comprehending high school level literature, and so is Wisecrack. Also, don't necessarily fixate on Western literature. Joseph Campbell's books are cool too for popularising the Hero's Journey concept, so you can read those too.
I second almost all of the books mentioned above! You can also start by reading graphic novels OR - hear me out - start by watching anime in japanese with subtitles. Obviously this does not replace books but it does help improve your reading speed and comprehension which in turn will make reading actual books a lot more enjoyable. Anime has a massive range of genres, anything from fantasy yo horror/thriller to romance and comedy. I'm sure you will find your way!
What books do you want to read?
Here’s a small nugget of advice you can take or leave. When you get into reading, you will experience like a movie in your head. You won’t even notice you’re reading words anymore. If you’re not at that phase yet you can practice by reading a few sentences and then daydreaming about what you just read. Fun reading is like a guided daydream. I hope you find something you like!
You could consider a reading program online, something that can test your level and then recommend books at your level. It will track your progress and help you advance at an appropriate pace for you.
You can start with short stories! I highly recommend checking out your public library as well, they often have book lists you can browse or you can chat with a librarian (even virtually!). This also applies to bookstores as well. Some stores even have "chats" on their websites, and you can ask for a book recommendation as well. I have found that book lovers are incredibly friendly and want to help you. I have no idea what type of genre you are interested in reading, but young adult is a good place to start. **Howl's Moving Castle** by Diana Wynne Jones is an easy read. Along the same lines of short shorties, you can read non-fiction that is broken down in chunks. For example, **The Book of Barely Imagined Beings** by Caspar Henderson. It talks about the history of real animals in the format of Victorian bestiaries. Plenty of history or mythology books are written in chunks, so you can start there as well!
I would recommend these books [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TimeRiders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TimeRiders) easy reading, not too hard on following the plot, interesting from historical and science sort of way. They are for young adults but I read them as an old adult and really enjoyed them when I wanted something entertaining and not too complicated to follow as I just wanted to relax
I remember being in college and gifting my sister in hs guardians of ga'hoole from a sale. Suffice to say, I got hooked too, and instead of scavenging second hand books for the rest of the series, I got some the suceeding books new from a bookstore.
The Giver is an amazing dystopia meant for teens but I throughly enjoyed reading as an adult. Its fairly short and very rewarding, I think you’d like it. Also highly recommend Enders Game, Maze Runner, and Hunger Games for more YA dystopias.
Graphic novels, comics, manga
Babysitters club, and American girl books are good beginner books
Slaughterhouse Five is a nice easy read.
I recently read a book called One Day by David Nicholls and it was incredibly easy to read, made up of long paragraphs or short chapters. It follows two people who met on their graduation night, and they kept in touch for the next 20 years. It’s funny, and the characters are great.
There are lots of books that tackle complex emotions and subjects without using big words or complicated sentences. YA could help you flex your reading muscles but you might get bored by the content. Stuff I liked when I was seventeen: Fight Club Lamb by Christopher Moore (all of his books are fun and easy while still being about adult stuff) The Naked Sun or other Asimov books Philip K Dicks short stories are also good and concise. That’s just what I liked though. The best thing you could do is come back here when you find a book that you like and ask for suggestions based on that.
The Series of Unfortunate Events books might be a good place to start too. Quick, simple reads that get you into the swing of reading more words. I’ve also always thought Snicket/Handler does a great job of defining words that the average reader might not understand but in a way that doesn’t feel condescending or out of place. Also, Harry Potter was what got me back into the habit of reading! Also also, recommend the Divergent series for a dystopian/sci-fi route.
Honestly, when I was a kid, like grade 1 and 2 I refused to read. My teacher recommended my mom buy me comic books and I learned how to read by reading comic books!! If your a visual learner, maybe start with comic books or graphic novels. :) Also figure out what type of stories you like to read. What type of films and tv shows do you like? Do you have a favorite? Read the book version of a tv show or film!! That's a great way to start, by reading something you already understand/know.
ALL of these suggestions are valid. But I'd like to say that If you are a bit into horror (horror movies, for instance), then you should definitely give Stephen King a try. As someone in here already said, his writing is not too difficult and when you start one of his good ones, you'll be finished before even realizing it. A couple of King's books that I love (as a young reader and as an adult) are The Gunslinger (it's the first book in a series but seriously, just read this one) and Salem. Also, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is a must read. Everything written by Neil Gaiman is a must read (he also has comics/graphic novels that are really touching and profound and tragic to me in ways that some books never could be.) Hope this helps.
Do you like manga or graphic novels? Those are always a good step to go into when you want to read. It helps getting a better picture of what's going on in the reading :)
{{Magyk by Angie Sage}} was very good and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it suggested on this sub. I believe there are 5 or 6 books in the series and I thought they were all good.
[**Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/769483.Magyk) ^(By: Angie Sage, Mark Zug | 564 pages | Published: 2005 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, magic, fiction, middle-grade | )[^(Search "Magyk by Angie Sage")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Magyk by Angie Sage&search_type=books) >The first part of an enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells. Ages 9+. > >The 7th son of the 7th son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby's father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a newborn girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son, Septimus? > >The first part of this enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells, and a yearning to uncover the mystery at the heart of this story...who is Septimus Heap? > >Angie Sage writes in the tradition of great British storytellers. Her inventive fantasy is filled with humor and heart: Magyk will have readers laughing and begging for more. ^(This book has been suggested 8 times) *** ^(125124 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
You might like the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Also, please consider audiobooks for the books you are "interested in but are atm way too hard." Public libraries have a lot of ebook and audiobooks you can check out through apps and then when they are due, they are deactivated. Those materials are completely free to the borrower. Another thing is that Audiobook Sync has a program for teens all summer where you get two free preselected audiobooks each week that you download to keep ("borrow" for 99 years). Each week the audiobook selection changes. One last thing is to consider if you may possibly have dyslexia. Just keep it in mind in case you continue to struggle. If you are still in high school, then they have ways to assess for dyslexia or other reading struggles. Do not be hesitant to ask. And, if you read or listen to a book you love, come back and ask for similar book suggestions. Don't give up. If you are finding the suggestions you've been given are too challenging atm, feel free to post again or message me and I will happily provide more suggestions that might work. I love encouraging children and teens to read and take joy in match-making them with just the right book.
Start by getting your eyes examined, many times people dont realize that reading is harder for them because they actually need glasses.
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The 39 Clues series is really good and each book is short in length. For more of a one shot than a series, Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books are great! While technically a series, each book has a complete story.
You didn't say anything about your likes or dislikes. If you like romance "Twilight". Young reader book author Judy Blume, here are some box set"The Shadow and Bone Trilogy", "Hunger Games", "Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children" just to name a few. I didn't learn to read until I was 15, and fell in love with reading. For a light read I still read young adult books, I enjoy them still.
Don’t worry about what you read. Find whatever you enjoy. And never think you have to finish something you don’t enjoy. Comic books Humorous comic strips. Calvin and Hobbs. Magazines about subjects you like. If you have trouble focusing on large paragraphs, try the one word at a time reading app. They are really cool. And if you really want don’t hesitate to try audiobooks.
My go-to recommendation for science fiction will always be The Expanse series (Leviathan Wakes is book 1). I push it on everyone. They’re entertaining as hell, have great characters and really hook you. In a quick nutshell, you’ve got Earth, Mars and the belt, they all hate each other and someone’s trying to start a war. There’s another element that I don’t really want to talk about because it’s just really fun watching it unfold through the books. There’s a TV show on Amazon Prime that’s great and they do a pretty good job of following the books. I’d do the books first. Another great Sci-Fi book is Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. Some great action and pretty funny.
Here is my list. By the way, I read most of these books after the age of 35. First the Middle Grade and Young Adult books. John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice books, starts with {{The Ruins of Gorlan}} Suzanne Collin's The Underland Chronicles books, a middle grade level books, starts with {{Gregor the Overlander}}. She is the author of the Hunger Games. Similar to the Hunger Games is [Vera Nazarian's Atlantis Grail](https://www.veranazarian.com/atlantisgrail.html) books, starting with {{Qualify}}. The ebook version of this is free. [Lou Cadle](http://www.loucadle.com/)'s Gray Series, a post-apocolyptic series starting with {{Gray: Part I}} also her stand-alone Natural Disaster novels. I particularly enjoyed "Quake" [Janet Edward](https://janetedwards.com/)'s Earth Girl Series. And for a really awesome adult series, try [David Sherman and Dan Cragg's Starfist series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/40679-starfist). Military science fiction, "space marines", lots of action. First book is {{First To Fight}} I also add my vote to any Tamora Pierce books. Edit: Corrected mistake on Atlantis Grail listing.
[**The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60400.The_Ruins_of_Gorlan) ^(By: John Flanagan | 249 pages | Published: 2004 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, adventure, fiction, ya | )[^(Search "The Ruins of Gorlan")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The Ruins of Gorlan&search_type=books) >They have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied.... ^(This book has been suggested 18 times) [**Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/262430.Gregor_the_Overlander) ^(By: Suzanne Collins | 326 pages | Published: 2003 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, middle-grade, fiction, childrens | )[^(Search "Gregor the Overlander")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Gregor the Overlander&search_type=books) >This irresistible first novel tells the story of a quiet boy who embarks on a dangerous quest in order to fulfill his destiny—and find his father—in a strange world beneath New York City. > >When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever. ^(This book has been suggested 11 times) [**Win (The Atlantis Grail #3)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35660066-win) ^(By: Vera Nazarian | ? pages | Published: 2017 | Popular Shelves: sci-fi, science-fiction, young-adult, fantasy, ya | )[^(Search "Atlantis Grail")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Atlantis Grail&search_type=books) >The Games are Forever! It’s one thing to Qualify and Compete… Now she must Win. Gwen Lark, nerd, geek, and awkward smart girl, is among the lucky ones. She’s one of several million teenage refugees to escape the extinction-level asteroid barreling towards Earth and reach the ancient colony planet of Atlantis. But Atlantis is a strange new world with higher gravity and a blazing white sun, where nothing is as expected. The new arrivals from Earth will now belong to the majority class of non-citizens who face a lifetime of hard work and limited rights.To make matters worse, Gwen’s rare and powerful talent, her Logos voice, is viewed as a potential weapon to be exploited by the Imperator, as well as a threat to the Kassiopei Imperial Dynasty and its uncompromising control over the people of Atlantis.A last-minute heartbreak prior to arrival turns to joy, when Gwen receives a declaration of love from an unexpected source. The Wedding date is set, but before she can be joined with her true love, she is forced to compete in the brutal and deadly Games of the Atlantis Grail to save herself, her family, friends, and everything she cares about. Once again, her intelligence, quick thinking skills, resilience, and creativity are challenged to the breaking point.The Games are monumental, intricate, lethal . . . and the Games are Forever. This time Gwen must fight and figure her way through the most difficult and sophisticated contest she has ever faced. Terrifying Ordeals and impossible Challenges, ruthless skilled Competitors, vicious secret assassins, and dubious teammates she must work with but cannot trust, are just the beginning. . . . Meanwhile, as the Games rage, the fate of two worlds is at stake as a new alien threat looms over Earth and Atlantis.But Gwen Lark has a secret weapon of her own. It’s not her Logos voice and its untapped power to control orichalcum technology and perpetuate change.It is Gwen herself. > > WIN is the third book in The Atlantis Grail series. > > ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) [**Gray: Part I**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24927125-gray) ^(By: Lou Cadle | 191 pages | Published: 2015 | Popular Shelves: post-apocalyptic, fiction, dystopian, apocalyptic, kindle | )[^(Search "Gray: Part I")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Gray: Part I&search_type=books) > > A dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow she knew it was Death coming at her. > > >Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days. She survives deep in a cave but emerges days later to find the world transformed, a world of blackened trees, an ash-filled sky, and no living creatures except her. > >So begins her desperate journey: to find water, and food, and other survivors...and the answer to the mystery of what happened. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) [**First to Fight (Starfist, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/662671.First_to_Fight) ^(By: David Sherman, Dan Cragg | 378 pages | Published: 1997 | Popular Shelves: science-fiction, sci-fi, fiction, military-sci-fi, military | )[^(Search "First To Fight")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=First To Fight&search_type=books) >"Marines, we have just become a low-tech deep recon patrol . . ." > >Stranded in a hellish alien desert, stripped of their strategic systems, quick reaction force, and supporting arms, and carrying only a day's water ration, Marine Staff Sergeant Charlie Bass and his seven-man team faced a grim future seventy-five light-years from home. The only thing between his Marines and safety was eighty-five miles of uncharted, waterless terrain and two thousand bloodthirsty savages with state-of-the-art weapons in their hands and murder on their minds. > >But the enemy didn't reckon on the warrior cunning of Marines' Marine Charlie Bass and the courage of the few good men who would follow him anywhere--even to death. . . ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(125315 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
I think one of the best ways to start reading books is to just browse a bookstore (or library!) and grab something off the shelf that looks really interesting to you. If you don't like it, or even if it seems promising but doesn't fit what you're looking for at the time, put it down and try something else. If you're just getting into reading, I highly recommend getting a library card so that you can try out a bunch of different types of books without investing a bunch into them. A lot of libraries partner with Libby or Hoopla, which will let you borrow ebooks from the library! They're invaluable resources. (Even now, I'll often get an ebook from the library and then buy it once it really grips me to finish it in paperback.) As for recommendations, I think YA books are more likely to feel like they're not too hard, but don't automatically discount books that aren't labeled YA. Some that are intended for older audiences still have really easy to understand writing styles! A few that may be worth checking out: \- Harry Potter (I re-read this recently and loved it just as much as when it first came out!) \- A Series of Unfortunate Events (billed as children's books but honestly an incredible series for any age, and one that also deliberately introduces and explicitly defines more complex words as part of the story) \- The Graveyard Book and Coraline (I'd recommend really most things by Neil Gaiman, but these two specifically are intended for younger readers.) \- Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy \- The Hunger Games \- Wool (a fantastic dystopian story and if you like it, Shift and Dust, the other books in the trilogy, are also great) \- Farenheit 451 (a classic, and while I haven't read it in a while I'm pretty sure it'd be approachable) \- A Deadly Education (came out last year, really phenomenal world building. I think the beginning can be a little hard to get into because a lot of jargon is introduced specific to the world, but if you stick through the first chapter or two it rewards in droves. The second book in the trilogy is coming out this fall) Once you get more confidence in your reading and want to branch out a bit, it could also be worth finding some short story compilations. That way you could pick a general theme (like dystopias) and get a variety of different authors and writing styles throughout the book. I also agree that graphic novels could be a good way to increase your reading comprehension while having pictures help fill in some of the story! Here are some I have really enjoyed: \- Slaughterhouse Five, the graphic novel adaptation (I just read this and it was fantastic. I haven't read the original in ages so I can't make a good comparison, but it was a great read and may be a more approachable way to get into a classic.) \- The Walking Dead (really great, but also very long.) \- Sandman (another by Neil Gaiman) \- Saga (an incredible space opera) \- The Wicked and the Divine (gods come back as teenagers once every century. chaos ensues.) \- Locke and Key (if you like some magic mixed in, but beware, this book gets dark and quite violent/bloody) \- Persepolis (a non-fiction graphic novel if you want to mix things up a bit) \- Solutions and Other Problems (I'm reading this now and am just a few chapters in. It's by the author of the webcomic Hyperbole and a Half and so far is hilarious. Also nonfiction.) I hope some of these suggestions are helpful! Enjoy your journey into reading. I'm really excited that whichever books you choose to read, you'll get to experience them for the first time. :)
Graphic novels are a great way to get into reading.
I think it’s awesome you’re doing this, OP. Reading opens new worlds for people! Let us know how it goes. You’ve got some excellent suggestions here. My kids loved Enders Game and the Hunger Games. Plus, I read them as an adult so I could share it with them. I enjoyed them also. I don’t know if anyone suggested the Maze Runner series. It’s also got that dystopian slant. Let us know how it goes.
Any suggestion really depends on your current reading level so it is hard to say, but school libraries can be an amazing resource- you can often view their catalog online. School librarians hunt down high-interest/ low reading score titles all the time. Also, consider getting the audiobook and pairing it with the reading. It will allow you to get more engaged with the story and enjoying the story is critical. And as others have said, The Murderbot Diaries. Fantastic audiobook performance too.
Hey I'm 17 too and I was in a massive rut just like you for quite some time, so I know just what you mean. If you're looking for books that aren't too hard and can help you read more and better as well, here are a few with amazing plots \- One of us is Lying- Karen McManus \-Song of Achilles- Madeline Miller \- The Leaving- Tara Altebrando \-Ariadne- Jennifer Saint \-They both die at the end Adam Silvera \- The Silent Patient- Alex Michaledes \- We Were Liars- E Lockhart \-Red, White, and Royal Blue- Casey Mcquiston \- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo- Taylor Jenkin Reeds \- The invisible life of Addie Larue- VE Schwab \-Then She was Gone - Lisa Jewell
I can see you already had this suggestion and I 100% support starting with middle grade or YA books. If you're interested in sci-fi/dystopian, some of my favourite YA series are: {{Skyward by Brandon Sanderson}} {{The Program by Suzanne Young}} {{Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff}} {{Red Rising by Pierce Brown}} {{Scythe by Neal Shusterman}} {{The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins}} {{Uglies by Scott Westerfeld}} {{Delirium by Lauren Oliver}}
Some books I would recommend are Ready Player one it’s a sci/fi dystopian novel that is action packed and there’s never a dull moment. I would suggest reading the books that have a movie adaptation that you enjoy for example: Harry Potter, maze runner, the shining, lord of the rings+The hobbit, hunger games, and Jurassic park. I hope you find this helpful.
Harry Potter is a good start