I am 22(F) and Like the title say I really want to be a reader, but I've always struggled with reading. I ave a hard time finding books that interest me, and I often forget about books I'm reading and then never finish them. I haven't read a full book since high school. I would really like to get into books that talk about mental health and psychology but many non-fiction books like that are difficult for me to understand. I like fiction as well but I'm not really into fantasy, I like books about people and their lives. If anyone has a suggestion I would really appreciate it. I want to learn and expand my skills and I know I am missing out on so much amazing literature, I just don't know where to start.
by Extension_Setting147
8 Comments
Go to library or StoryGraph… and pick ONLY short book (not poetry, and not for kids).
You’ll finish them quick, but also you might be AMAZED of what you find.
Do that for 2 years (I just picked 2 years randomly)
**That alone changed my inner life**. All the specific recommendations are hit-and-miss. You might love Harry Potter or you might waste your time, but with short books you are not wasting time (they are quick) and you’ll definitely find what makes your heart sing
Also, use audiobook unashamedly
If you like to have a goodread/storygraph account, don’t waste time “is it reading”, “does a short story count”. Just bombard yourself with content and you’ll find your thing.
you might want to try reading thrillers, a lot of them touch on psychological themes (they aren’t super educational but they are a start), it’ll help get you hooked into reading and develop that habit and then you’ll be able to read longer and more complex books over time. yellowface by rf kuang is a really good one that isn’t ridiculous.you might also want to try freida mcfadden books they are a bit ridiculous at times but they might help get you into reading and they are very addictive.
There’s no such thing as being bad at reading! If you have the ability to, i’d recommend going to your nearest bookstore and asking employees what book they would recommend/ what their favorite book is and pick one from there.
I personally love Abby Jimenez books. She is a romance author but she does a great job exploring mental health and trauma throughout her books!
I’d recommend Just for the Summer!
Good Morning Monster by Catherine Gildiner is a case study of the author’s long term therapy patients. Five different people with unique problems, and how they progressed over years towards healing. It’s an engrossing read, because they are real people with real problems, but it’s less triggering because you know they all triumph in the end. (Some stories are still upsetting, tbh, but that’s life)
It’s plainly written, and the blend of therapy and straight forward storytelling might be a good fit for you.
Me before you – JoJo Moyes
Here are some recent reads that kept me hooked and are psychological in essence lol
Open Throat by Henry Hoke is 176 pgs and is a first person narrative about a mountain lion who lives in the Santa Monica Mountains (where the Hollywood sign is) its fantastical and endearing. I listened to the audiobook and then listened to it a second time right away 😬
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is another book that kept me constantly hooked and totally suitable for an October creepy read. It’s about a home that takes in pregnant teens so they can have their babies in secret. Very girl, interrupted vibe in the home to say the least. Witchery is involved and etc etc.
Lastly, The Compound by Aisling Rawle reads like a creepy season of Love Island where the stakes are higher and the lengths people go to get there are extreme.
I’d really suggest looking into audiobooks! They got me back into reading and I’ll never give them up. I’ve got ADHD and struggle to focus on reading for long periods, but it’s much easier to pick up an audiobook and go do the dishes or something.
As for books, I find that memoirs really grab me. The Glass Castle is excellent and pretty short. I also really enjoyed Educated and Beyond Belief.
If you want to be a reader, set aside time to read. Set a timer, carry a book, force yourself to read, not watch TV, not check your phone, just read, til the timer goes off. Start with 10 minutes a day or whatever your attention span can handle. I often read during meals or before bed, but in spite of being a life-long bookworm, it’s hard to stay off my phone these days.
Non-fiction aimed at kids or young adults can be easier to digest than nonfiction aimed at adults, so that’s worth a look depending on the topic you’re interested in. Some nf is written in a way that pulls you in as good as a story; you just have to find it.
Finding books that are a good fit can be a struggle even for avid readers!
Fiction recommendations: Midnight Library by Matt Haig or Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Nonfiction: why not try a biography? Maybe EndGame about Bobby Fischer or I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy?