r/ReadingSuggestions

I’m trying to build a proper reading habit.

For the last few years, I kept buying a lot of self-help / tech / startup-related books, but I rarely finished them. I’d either leave them halfway or stop after a few chapters. So now I’m trying to first build the habit of reading itself, instead of forcing myself through “productive” books.

Recently, I finished Norwegian Wood by Murakami and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and I liked both.

What should I read next?

I don’t want pure fiction for the sake of fiction. I’m looking for books with an interesting story, but also something that makes me think philosophically, emotionally, politically, or just about life in general.

I’m also interested in history, geopolitics, and politics, so I’d love suggestions that are engaging but also make me feel like I’m learning something useful about the world.

Open to literary fiction, historical fiction, political novels, narrative nonfiction, memoirs, or anything that sits somewhere between story and reflection.

ive never preferred poetry, but i want to take up writing it and i need to have some experience in reading it first. whats the most beautiful collection of poetry you can recommend? the most poetry ive read was shel silverstein and... i realize thats pretty silly.

Hello everyone, so I recently decided it's time to get back to reading "actual pages", and I ended up getting a Kindle for the first time. I prefer physical books, and as someone who is constantly traveling, it's hard for me to keep physical copies.

My passion for reading has dwindled year after year, and I haven't really noticed because I've been busy with other things in life.

I still read snippets, articles, and even (very) short novels here and there, but I haven't sat and read actual tomes or voluminous books. It's hard for me to stay focused as soon as I see too many pages.

As someone who used to read extensively, consuming large amounts of information and getting lost in different stories and realities was quite the experience, and I can only reminisce.

I'd love to ask for any tips or recommendations to start with, as a fantasy, horror/crime/thriller fan. I'm open to anything at this point.

TL;DR: Haven't properly read for 15+ years and looking for recommendations/tips to reawaken that passion.

Hello! I’m a relatively new reader and I’ve been looking for some books to read. I don’t really know what genre I like yet and I’ve barely read any books in my life but I’m open to almost anything. I draw the line at those boring business books, those kinda suck (no offense to anyone who enjoys them though!) My favorite book I’ve ever read was The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton and I don’t exactly know, WHY, I loved that book so much but it was great. Although I don’t really feel like reading another story about gangs right now and rather focus on something else but I just thought saying that may help y’all. Anywho, I mostly read graphic novels and manga because it keeps my very low attention span in check, which is also why I don’t read very many books because if I find it boring for even a second I’ll start thinking about something else and then go into an inner monologue while deeply staring into my fridge lol. My favorite genre is probably Fantasy/Sci-Fi but I also always liked Mysteries/Thrillers so maybe that’s up my alley? I honestly don’t really know. I also absolutely love Horror, but like, Lovecraftian-esc horror? (Like horror with a deeper meaning than just being scare), NOT, slasher horror or those other kinds; I like the kind of Horror that has a reason to scare you not JUST to scare you. So, uh, yeah, if you need any more questions to help recommend me anything I’m literally all ears, I’ll give you any info you need (as long as it’s relevant to this conversation and doesn’t break the boundaries of personal space). Thanks in advance!
- a new reader

I’ve recently been getting into reading, I’ve never really been a big reader but as of late I’ve been reading cosmos by Carl Sagan and I’ve been loving it!

I love subjects about space (especially!), philosophy, history, war, science, politics (kind of) and such. I like reading true stories and real factual information, not much of a fantasy guy when it comes to reading.

Based off what I’ve told you, what do you recommend I eventually read? Can you please state what kind of book it is if you have the chance, like what subject. I’d prefer the mainstream “must reads” since I’m still newer to reading as a hobby and I’d rather read the classics than read more niche novels.

I had a phase - about 5-6 years ago where I read actively. Since then, I pretty much ditched this hobby, initially because I hadn’t found any books that interested me, later because I just stopped enjoying it. Nowadays I am pretty much addicted to cheap dopamine like my phone and have trouble reading. But that is also partly because I just can’t find anything that holds my attention. If the first 20 pages aren’t already great, I lose motivation and interest and fall into another reading slump.
Recently, I thought I’d give Frankenstein a try because the story caught my attention when watching the new Frankenstein movie. After having a hard time with the language and not really understanding the purpose of the first \~10 pages I just gave up. It’s frustrating because a) I invested money in this book and b) I just feel stupid as soon as I have trouble understanding stuff.

So my question here is: how do I actually get back into reading? At the moment, I’m considering reading Pride and Prejudice because a friend had recommended it to me a while ago but at this point I’m just scared of running into the same issues as before. But at the same time, just because I consume cheap dopamine doesn’t mean that I want the books I read to be some low-level stuff. I **want** to read actually great literature but at this point I just feel extremely discouraged to do so.

I’m 25 and I’ve genuinely never read a proper book in my life 😭
(Unless Captain Underpants and Geronimo Stilton count from childhood lol)

Not proud of it, but I’m going away for 3 weeks soon to kind of disconnect and find some peace, and I really want to slowly get into the habit of reading.

The thing is, I don’t want anything too intense or “hardcore.” I’m looking for books that feel comforting, peaceful, easy to read, and don’t require too much brainpower. I love cute rom-com vibes, wholesome stories, cozy feels, etc. But honestly I’m open to any beginner-friendly suggestions that might make me enjoy reading for the first time.

Would love your recommendations 🫶

Hi All 🙋🏼‍♂️

This is my first post in this group. I've just come out of reading 8 Warhammer books, the first I've ever read. And while I enjoyed each immensely, I need a change of pace and genre, but not sure where to go next? Reading genres are so subjective but I'm willing to get out of my literary comfort zone and try something totally different.

Likely not a surprise, I tend to go for genres under the Sci-Fi/Fantasy umbrella. I want to try and become a more avid reader of "everything" similar to Shayne Topp from Smosh, of which I'm a fan. All that to say, I'm down for suggestions and don't care how out of left field they are. My indecisive-ness is disabling my decision-making ability 😅 and I need help from y'all 🙏🏼

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I truly look forward to seeing what comes. Have a great rest of your day!

Any books from recent years (2020 and up) that have humor in them? I'd love a good fantasy that is serious but also has comedy. Heck, if there's anything really that made you laugh more than once, I'm interested. Tbh, I'll take older book recommendations too. Also, do romance fantasies ever come with comedy?

I just want to fill my heart with some fantasy elements and laughter.

Edit: I did not expect this many responds, thank you everyone for the recommendations!

I have never really read romance, always mystery, but I found myself loving the romance subplots in the books so I want to read a romance book. I keep seeing Twisted Love series and it’s peaked my interest but I don’t know if I’d like the level of spice. If you’ve read this series, please tell me how spicy it gets. And if you’ve read/know any similar books with the same romance but less spice, please recommend! Thank you!

Here are some books I recently enjoyed:
- the correspondent by Virginia Evans
- Circe by Madeline miller (I’ve read song of Achilles before)
- Project Hail Mary by Andy weir
- the wedding people by Allison espach
- Love and other words by Christina Lauren (have tried multiple other books by them but haven’t liked any, loved this one tho)
- the silent patient
- The Anthropocene reviewed by John Green
- I’ve read most Emily Henry books besides the newest one

Series I love:
- good girls guide to murder
- Finlay Donavan series
- anything by Lynn Painter

Genres I enjoy:
- fiction, YA, romance/RomCom, thriller

I am trying to figure why I like some books so much, and dislike others. I am beginning to notice a few things: use of cliches, interesting plot, "good" prose (I'm not sure what makes prose "good", yet), and subtlety of messaging. Subtlety might be one of the biggest things for me, I think.
As an example, I read "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt at the beginning of this year, and I really enjoyed it. It was, among other things, a critique of rich kids, and I think one way the author really showed that was in the last chapter, when we discover that Francis, a gay man, is going to marry a woman he doesn't so much as like, much less love, because it will please his family, and they would cut him off financially otherwise. The main character, Richard, asks why he doesn't just work a job like a normal person, and he responds by saying he "doesn't know how" (or something like that, I don't remember what). This shows the absurdity and helplessness of wealthy young people, while refraining from outright saying "rich kids don't know how to do anything themselves", and I think that it's
really good.
Now, I just started "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I am having trouble getting into it. Part of it is that | really don't like the writing, I read "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by her a few years ago and felt a similar way. But more than that, it is not subtle, at all. For one, the main character is "not like other girls". She goes to a party and talks about how she would much rather be at home with a book. She takes a break after work and the narrator says "not by going to a bar, but by going for a good run". She only wears makeup because she was bullied into it by her (much girlier) younger sister. I think it is fine to have a character who is different and maybe doesn't fit the traditional mold of a "woman" that existed in the 1970s. But you can be subtle about it.
And in perhaps one of the more excessive examples of Reid not understanding subtlety, she portrays the sexism experienced by female astronaut candidates as a couple of misogynistic jokes by "bad"characters, to be corrected by "good" characters, followed by a page long rant from our main character about how sexism is wrong and women who laugh along to sexist jokes are contributing to the problem. She's not wrong, in any sense of the word, but it isn't subtle, and it doesn't do justice to the true extent of sexism in the workplace in the 1970s, which was often somewhat covert, practiced by people who may have otherwise been good, in a way that led women to being confused about who was on their side and who wasn't. It was structural, damaging to a woman's self worth and confidence, and often times somewhat disorienting and typically very complicated. Reid boiled it down to some jokes with a little rant afterwards and called it a day. It almost It almost feels like she wanted to check the box of "sexism? got that covered!"
I am not far into the book so maybe there will be some better writing but idk. So far it is just not good.
But I feel this way about a lot of fiction.

I like fiction but I like it to be good. I like lit fic and I like Donna Tartt and I liked “a tree grows In Brooklyn” but I do not like Taylor Jenkins Reid and I don’t really like Kristin Hannah and I don’t know who is writing books that are good??? I want to read contemporary stuff but it is not good?

Does anyone know why this series has all been translated from Norwegian to English, with the exception of the second book in the series “Blodmane”, which translates to blood moon in English? I can’t find an answer anywhere. I love this series, and “Nordic noir” in general and it truly bothers me that the second book was skipped. Is there a reason? So bizarre that publishers would translate an entire series but skip the second book? Is there something controversial about the book? It makes me want to read it even more! Someone anyone if you have the answer I’d be so happy! If there is a better sub to ask please let me know! TIA

Currently trying to read Dear Debbie by Freida. It’s not that the book hadn’t grabbed my attention. I started topamax about a month ago for my essential tremor and had to increase to 400mg. It turned me into a zombie when I started taking it. All I could do is sleep and listen to Dateline lol. Not even watch it, just roll over and listen. I had started reading Dear Debbie during the process, but only made it to page 14. The book grabbed my attention, I just didn’t have the energy to keep going. How do I find the energy again ? I’m feeling better, still a little bit tired but feeling a little bit more motivated. Help me find the energy to push forward !! I was reading 3 books a month !!

Currently trying to read Dear Debbie by Freida. It’s not that the book hadn’t grabbed my attention. I started topamax about a month ago for my essential tremor and had to increase to 400mg. It turned me into a zombie when I started taking it. All I could do is sleep and listen to Dateline lol. Not even watch it, just roll over and listen. I had started reading Dear Debbie during the process, but only made it to page 14. The book grabbed my attention, I just didn’t have the energy to keep going. How do I find the energy again ? I’m feeling better, still a little bit tired but feeling a little bit more motivated. Help me find the energy to push forward !! I was reading 3 books a month !!

I think I could like Classics. I just think I've read some ones that were not my favorite-for example I was not a fan of The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye or On The Road.

I liked Of Mice & Men, Anthem, Dracula, and add in the authors Agatha Christie, and Jane Austen. I also didn't mind To Kill a Mockingbird OR The Giver, though they were not my favorites.

I have wanted to pick up 1984, Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451 for awhile now since I didn't read those during school like most people my age have and they seem like they may be more up my alley than some of the ones I was not the biggest fan of-however, I am trying to be careful with my spending and can only buy one.

I'll get the others from the library if they are available and then save up to buy them eventually if I end up liking them. I just wanted to know which one you guys would recommend for me based on my previous interest in classics. Thank you in advance-or if you have any other recommendations you think I could enjoy!

Hi!

I am 16, and I have been having trouble understanding and connecting with my books. Recently, I have had a phase where I only listened to audiobooks instead of reading, so I tried reading on my phone, but I am now realiziing that while I am reading, sometimes I skip over lines or read too fast and misread something, and these aren't one-offs; it happens every time I read, and I can figure out why.

I have ADHD, and it's really severe, I mean that, so why, but I just don't know what to-do I really miss reading, and I want to soak in every word,d but I am also so impatient

I’ve been really into dystopian stories recently, after reading The Handmaid’s tale and Brave New World I am hooked, and I’m writing a dystopian horror myself! Though I want to write one where my protagonist isn’t just an observer but more of an retaliator against the machine. So besides those popular dystopian books does anyone know any good dystopian books? (1984 GO is on my read-list but it was already lent out in the library)

In 1873 Heinrich Schliemann found a hoard of gold under a hill in western Anatolia, hid it from the Ottoman official assigned to watch him, packed it into his wife's luggage, and crossed the Aegean. The Ottoman Empire sued him in a Greek court — the first international lawsuit it ever brought to recover smuggled antiquities. He lost. Eight years later he donated the loot to Berlin. From there it travelled — through Hitler's flak tower, a Soviet transport plane to Moscow, and a Russian law passed in 1998 — to a basement at the Pushkin Museum, where it sits today.

I found this story fascinating. I wonder if Turkey is doing something to get the treasures back from Russia now.

I have read books such as A book thief, kite runner, a man called ove, every last word, the hunger games, silent patient and couple of more. Also the last book I tried was

Alanna: The First Adventure Novel by Tamora Pierce. Now I want to read something as slowly stedy as A Man called ove and every last book. A book simple,slow yet meaningful.