I try to find a book that matches that person’s particular interests
MensaCurmudgeon on
Nothing. I don’t know the reason they don’t like reading, so I try to be sensitive. I might suggest they try Libby for audiobooks if they’re looking for entertainment on the go
mendizabal1 on
I would not bother.
Poetgrimaldi on
The Bible. I find there is quite the over lap between those that don’t like reading and those that want to oppress people with it.
Important-Constant25 on
I ask them politely, yet firmly, to leave.
No_Dentist_9959 on
The Martian. But I’m an engineer
CatCafffffe on
It really depends why they don’t like reading. Some people are dyslexic and struggle with reading, and why not recommend audio books. Folks with ADHD struggle to stay focused on the book, so you might suggest short stories.
The real key is to find things that match their interests. Adventure stories, first-person adventures, mystery-thrillers, mysteries, nonfiction, pop sociology (Malcolm Gladwell, etc), autobiographies from people they admire or are similar to, all of those might be a good choice.
2-0-0-4 on
depends on their interests, but something atmospheric with a focus on the narrative/storyline and character development is usually a safe bet because it’s easy to get attached to the story and the characters – something like gone with the wind
Worldly_Air_6078 on
It really depends on the sensibility of the person. The best reading is the one that takes subjects that fascinate you and pushes them further than you ever thought possible.
But for someone with a sensibility to fantasy and bizarre, and a very easy and entertaining read, I’d advise: Neil Gaiman, **Coraline** (and maybe **The Graveyard Book**)
For contemporary very believable Sci-fi, I’d advise **Flowers for Algernon,** by Daniel Keyes.
It depends on what this person likes. But if you give us more clues, we may have more useful suggestions.
Upper-Speech-7069 on
Perhaps recommend a book behind a TV show they like e.g. The Handmaid’s Tale, Outlander, Bridgerton, etc. That way you can match it to their interests and it might make a decent entry point into reading.
Otherwise, I’d recommend a novella. They’re typically very short and may feel less daunting than a full novel to someone who doesn’t read a lot. Again, there’s lots of variety here and recommendations would depend on what they’re interested in.
Veteranis on
*Anti-Intellectualism in American Life* by Richard Hofstadter.
davepeters123 on
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke – short, beautifully written & keeps most people hooked.
NiobeTonks on
I would ask them what media they enjoy then suggest something they might enjoy. I have often suggested audiobooks for students who find reading hard. However, I get extremely annoyed when people suggest that I should try media I don’t enjoy (1st person RP gaming, for example) so unless someone asks my opinion, I don’t share suggestions.
13 Comments
I try to find a book that matches that person’s particular interests
Nothing. I don’t know the reason they don’t like reading, so I try to be sensitive. I might suggest they try Libby for audiobooks if they’re looking for entertainment on the go
I would not bother.
The Bible. I find there is quite the over lap between those that don’t like reading and those that want to oppress people with it.
I ask them politely, yet firmly, to leave.
The Martian. But I’m an engineer
It really depends why they don’t like reading. Some people are dyslexic and struggle with reading, and why not recommend audio books. Folks with ADHD struggle to stay focused on the book, so you might suggest short stories.
The real key is to find things that match their interests. Adventure stories, first-person adventures, mystery-thrillers, mysteries, nonfiction, pop sociology (Malcolm Gladwell, etc), autobiographies from people they admire or are similar to, all of those might be a good choice.
depends on their interests, but something atmospheric with a focus on the narrative/storyline and character development is usually a safe bet because it’s easy to get attached to the story and the characters – something like gone with the wind
It really depends on the sensibility of the person. The best reading is the one that takes subjects that fascinate you and pushes them further than you ever thought possible.
But for someone with a sensibility to fantasy and bizarre, and a very easy and entertaining read, I’d advise: Neil Gaiman, **Coraline** (and maybe **The Graveyard Book**)
For contemporary very believable Sci-fi, I’d advise **Flowers for Algernon,** by Daniel Keyes.
It depends on what this person likes. But if you give us more clues, we may have more useful suggestions.
Perhaps recommend a book behind a TV show they like e.g. The Handmaid’s Tale, Outlander, Bridgerton, etc. That way you can match it to their interests and it might make a decent entry point into reading.
Otherwise, I’d recommend a novella. They’re typically very short and may feel less daunting than a full novel to someone who doesn’t read a lot. Again, there’s lots of variety here and recommendations would depend on what they’re interested in.
*Anti-Intellectualism in American Life* by Richard Hofstadter.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke – short, beautifully written & keeps most people hooked.
I would ask them what media they enjoy then suggest something they might enjoy. I have often suggested audiobooks for students who find reading hard. However, I get extremely annoyed when people suggest that I should try media I don’t enjoy (1st person RP gaming, for example) so unless someone asks my opinion, I don’t share suggestions.