How to Start Reading If You’ve Never Liked Reading Before

There are a lot of people who love books. They enjoy reading so much. They always talk about books. There are many blogs and YouTube channels to discuss books. If you don't get it or find books boring, let me tell you my story.

I began reading when I was about 10-11 years old. It happened during a summer vacation at my grandparents' rural house. The weather was too hot to do anything outside, so I felt bored. I was spending my days lounging on the couch. I was flipping through TV channels with nothing interesting, and waiting for time to go by.

My grandparents had a collection of children's books at their house. I saw them placed next to the TV. They caught my attention a few times. There were approximately 40 books in the series. Each book was around 50-100 pages in length.

I wasn't interested in reading them at first. One day when I bored, I decided to give it a try and chose a book titled "The Red Balloon". I began flipping through the pages and noticed a few illustrations. Although I couldn't comprehend everything, my curiosity piqued. Then, I turned to the first page and commenced reading.

I'm not sure how long it took, but I was reading real slow. I was so caught up in the main character's world. ,That hundred-page book felt like it ended in a short time. It was like I had jumped into a different life, one that was way more exciting than my dull summer.

On that day, I found out how amazing it is to read a good book. Maybe I was fortunate to find the perfect one, or maybe I was ready for new things. Either way, it was a wonderful start. Whenever I think about books, those beautiful memories always come to my mind.

I can see that my love for reading started with that pleasant experience. It continued to grow from there over years. It still does.

Reading is both intellectual and emotional activity. Emotional side is more important than intellectual side for lifelong reading habits. The good thing is we can all cultivate this kind of emotion. If we haven't before, we can create positive memories right now to sparkle that kind of love for reading.

So, it's important to begin with books that are suitable for you. You need to consider their quality and complexity. Once you discover those books, everything else will become easier. You will have enjoyable experiences and your perspective on reading will change.

Here are some books that you can enjoy at a relaxed pace, books that will make you love reading.

Books That Will Make You Love Reading

These books are not too long or complex. They don’t require extensive knowledge about their topics. They are easy to start, easy to finish, and enjoyable to read. This list is for beginners who want to create good memories of reading.

I suggest reading them in a pleasant setting. For instance, you can read them on a cozy couch with a cup of coffee. You can add relaxing music to the background.

Novels

1. Alain-Fournier - The Lost Estate: A classic French novel that explores themes of love, longing, and the passage of time through the story of a young man's search for a lost estate and his unrequited love.
2. Alexandre Dumas - The Count of Monte Cristo & Three Musketeers: "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a tale of revenge and redemption, while "Three Musketeers" is an adventure novel featuring the iconic Musketeers and their daring escapades.
3. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - The Little Prince: A philosophical novella that tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, imparting wisdom about life and human nature.
4. Chingiz Aitmatov - The White Ship & Mother Earth: Aitmatov's works, including "The White Ship" and "Mother Earth," often delve into themes of nature, human relationships, and the unique cultural context of Central Asia.
5. Dostoyevski - White Nights: A poignant novella by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, exploring the inner world and emotions of a lonely dreamer during the White Nights of St. Petersburg.
6. Daniel Keyes - Flowers for Algernon: This science fiction novel follows the story of Charlie Gordon, a mentally challenged man who undergoes an experimental procedure to increase his intelligence, with profound and tragic consequences.
7. Ferenc Molnar - The Paul Street Boys: A Hungarian classic depicting the rivalry and friendships among a group of boys from different neighborhoods.
8. Forrest Carter - The Education of Little Tree: A semi-autobiographical novel about a young Cherokee boy named Little Tree and his education in the ways of nature and Native American culture.
9. Jack London - The Call of the Wild & White Fang: Two adventure novels set in the wilds of the Yukon and featuring dogs as central characters, exploring themes of survival and primal instincts.
10. Hermann Hesse - Siddhartha: A spiritual novel that follows the journey of Siddhartha, a young man seeking enlightenment in ancient India.
11. Herman Melville - Bartleby the Scrivener: A short story about a peculiar and passive office worker who responds to all requests with the phrase "I would prefer not to."
12. Michael Morpurgo - Private Peaceful: A young adult novel set during World War I, examining the experiences of two brothers in the trenches.
13. Sabahattin Ali - Madonna in a Fur Coat: A Turkish classic exploring themes of love and identity through the story of a passionate love affair.
14. Jules Verne - Journey to the Center of the Earth: A pioneering science fiction adventure that takes readers on an expedition into the Earth's depths.
15. Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist: A philosophical novel about a shepherd named Santiago who embarks on a journey to discover his personal legend and fulfill his dreams.
16. Stefan Zweig - Chess: A novella that explores the psychological tension and intellectual rivalry between two chess grandmasters during a World Chess Championship.
17. Zülfü Livaneli - The Last Island: A novel that addresses themes of love, loss, and political conflict through the story of two lovers on a remote island.
18. Michael Ende - Momo: A fantasy novel about a young girl named Momo who possesses the ability to listen to people, helping them solve their problems.
19. Khaled Hosseini - Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Suns: These novels explore the lives of individuals in Afghanistan, delving into friendship, betrayal, and the impact of historical events.
20. Mitch Albom - Tuesdays With Morrie: A memoir about the author's weekly meetings with his former college professor, who imparts life lessons as he faces a terminal illness.
21. Rudyard Kipling - Kim: An adventure novel set in British-ruled India, following the journey of an orphaned boy who becomes a spy.
22. Ernest Hemingway - The Old Man and The Sea: A novella about an aging Cuban fisherman's epic battle with a giant marlin, symbolizing themes of resilience and the human spirit.

Stories

1. Sabahattin Ali - The Glass Palace: "The Glass Palace" is a novel by Turkish author Sabahattin Ali that tells the story of a man's journey from a small village to the bustling city of Istanbul, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and social change in early 20th-century Turkey.
2. Sait Faik Abasıyanık - A Useless Man: Selected Stories: Sait Faik Abasıyanık was a prominent Turkish short story writer. "A Useless Man: Selected Stories" features his poignant and often melancholic stories that capture the lives of ordinary people in Turkey.
3. Anton Chekhov - Selected Stories of Anton Chekhov: Anton Chekhov, a Russian master of the short story, crafted a wide range of narratives. This collection includes some of his most celebrated and thought-provoking stories that delve into the complexities of human nature and society.
4. Jean de La Fontaine - Fables: Jean de La Fontaine's "Fables" are a collection of timeless moral tales in the form of poetic fables featuring animals and anthropomorphic characters. Each fable imparts valuable life lessons and wisdom through its characters and their adventures.

Essays

1. Eduardo Galeano - Hunter of Stories: This book by Eduardo Galeano is a collection of his reflections, stories, and anecdotes that span various themes, including history, politics, culture, and human experiences. Galeano's narrative style invites readers to contemplate the interconnectedness of the world.
2. Haemin Sunim - The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: A mindfulness book by Haemin Sunim, a Korean Zen Buddhist monk, that offers insights and practices for finding inner peace, contentment, and happiness by slowing down and being present in the moment.
3. Hermann Hesse - Wandering: "Wandering" is a collection of essays and reflections by Hermann Hesse, covering topics like art, literature, philosophy, and spirituality. Hesse's contemplative writing invites readers to explore the inner and outer landscapes of life.
4. Erich Scheurmann - Tuiavii's Way: A South Sea Chief's Comments on Western Society: This book presents the observations and comments of Tuiavii, a South Sea chief, on Western society and culture. It provides a unique perspective on the clash between traditional indigenous values and the influence of the Western world.
5. Stephen Hawking - A Brief History of Time: A groundbreaking science book by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking that explores complex concepts of cosmology, the universe, and the nature of time in a reader-friendly manner. It aims to make theoretical physics accessible to a broad audience.

If you want to deep dive into art of reading, you can check out Reading Guide and Reading Hub.