As per the title, I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read a novel before. Cheated my way through school as I had untreated focus issues. What would be a good book for a relatively normal 38M? Would prefer a book that grabs my attention but isn’t overly complicated as I get lost in my mind easily. I don’t even know where to start. Thank you.
by Lineofcredi
19 Comments
What do you like? If sci-fi interests you, the Murderbot series could be a good choice. The first book is All Systems Red, and it’s a novella (ie short), action-packed, and fast paced with engaging characters. The first book is a self-contained story and stands alone well enough that you do not need to continue the series if you don’t like it. If you do like it, there are 4 other novellas and 2 novels in the series. Also, there’s a TV show following the first book on Apple TV.
“The hundred year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared ”
Light hearted book with a bit of attention grabbing nonsense. I also have a bit of ADHDs and this book was read in about 4 days. I don’t read much at all but, I don’t think anything else has come close to being read that quick.
I think you should start by reading short stories so you can get some quick wins under your belt. Try Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron” for example. Once you work your way through a few shorts like that, I would recommend the exciting book, “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer.
I would start with something shorter for sure, it’ll give you a good feeling of accomplishment and momentum and motivate you to read more!
I suggest *Of Mice and Men* or *Flowers for Algernon*. Both “classics” for a really good reason, but also straight-forward and digestible. Great stories. Good luck!
I was in a similar situation and “The Book of Lost Things” is an attention grabber!
Death and the penguin by Andre kurkov is a nice wee read. Some dark humour in it and skips along well
Good luck on your reading adventures!
If there’s any films you love that are based on books, then checking out the book is a good way to go! This way you’re already familiar with the story which takes some of the pressure off but chances are the book will expand on the world more or add more details that weren’t included in the film.
*Dungeon Crawler Carl* is also a good one. It’s recommended all the time but for good reason, its fast paced with excellent characters and (in my opinion) really funny. The audiobook in particular is really good
My other more general bit of advice is don’t be scared to try loads of things and see what sticks, put something down if you’re not enjoying it! If you’re not sure what you’re interested in yet then heading to a bookshop or library and reading the first couple pages of loads of books might make it easier to find what type of writing you like or dont like
I’ve got a few suggestions…
The Hobbit. Its easy to read, moves at a decent pace and is largely absent of the hyper detailed descriptions present in LOTR.
Frankenstein. Short, quick moving, easy to digest and you can get through it in a few sessions. Good if you like a bit of gothic imagery.
The Humans by Matt Haig. If you want something more fun, this combines science fiction, comedy, and introspection on what it is to be human. Once again, a really easy read and it’s quick to entertain from the very first page.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. A bit more abrasive, really captivating and emotional and is basically the go to if you like post apocalyptic settings. It is relentlessly bleak and disturbing. It lacks grammar, but its beautifully written and features a minimal amount of characters to follow.
As a fellow ADHDer who made a deliberate effort to start reading a few years ago, I’d suggest an accessible, relatively short and straightforward but engaging page-turner with a plot summary that intrigues you. One that gets going pretty quick without too much lead-up into the action that’ll hook you early.
It is always important to know when to put down a book too. Make a solid effort to read the first few chapters and see how you are feeling about it, but don’t try to force your way through if you aren’t loving it or you won’t enjoy the experience of reading.
First suggestion that came to mind was Death and The Penguin by Kurkov. It’s a fun but gripping story about an obituary writer who accidentally comes into ownership of a penguin. I remember it being quite an engaging read. A friend of mine who really struggles to read got through it and loved it.
Another fantastic short book I read recently, cover to cover almost without stopping (v rare) was The Long Dry by Cynan Jones. Simple but heart wrenching and beautiful. A book I have thought about a lot since.
Try Ken Follet. All his books are action packed (even the historical fiction) and really pull you along.
No Exit by Taylor Adams is one where if you read the first few pages you’ll be gripped. Young woman gets snowed into a service station with a bunch of strangers. Sees a toddler appearing to be captive in a van in the parking lot. Doesn’t know which stranger has this child captive or why. Has to work out what to do.
Project Hail Mary & The Martian by Andy Weir. They also both have movies out. Usually the advice is to read the book before the film, but for newbies I would actually say watch the film first, because you’ll be able to better picture and imagine the scenes, making for a more enjoyable reading experience. Hail Mary is still in cinemas, so maybe go see it ASAP and then get the book (both are genuinely fantastic). These books are hilarious and well-written, definitely good places to start.
You might want to start with audio books. You can do other things while you listen. Also, sometimes when I read, my attention wanders and I miss important plot points. Audio books read every word to you.
start with middle grades readers like percy jackson. something easy and fun. jumping straight into classics or complicated adult novels could end up discouraging you
You could even start with younger books like Hatchett. That was the first chapter book that really hooked me when I was younger. I got back into reading in my adulthood by reading fun books to my kids like Double Fudge, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Box Car Children. I really enjoyed the Harry Potter series as well.
When you find a book that interests you, you could also give immersive reading a try (where you listen to audiobook and follow along with a physical copy at the same time) I’ve done it a few times, it has helped me focus and I notice my mind wanders less.
I can’t believe others are recommending you read the classics. That’s definitely not where to start. You could start with YA novels. Or find adult novels with storylines that interest you. Everyone has difference interests, so it’s hard to recommend you a book when yours are unknown. What type of story would you like to read? Serious? Humorous? Both? Mysteries? Thrillers? Sad stories? Happy stories? Everyday life stories? What do you want your main character or characters to be doing or thinking about?
If you enjoy classics, try Charles Dickens or Alexander Dumas. Their books were written for newspaper serials so the chapters are short and tend to have cliff hangers.
Sherlock Holmes stories also are quite short and focus on one mystery.
*The Man Who Never Missed* by Steve Perry (sci-fi, somewhat “men’s adventure” category). It’s the foundational novel to his *Matador* series. It’s short, as are most of the novels in the series.
Also there’s a collection of short stories by Michael Flynn, *The Forest of Time* that’s a mix of a bunch of sci-fi concepts.
*What Moves the Dead* by T. Kingfisher is a retelling of Poe’s *What Moves the Dead* if you like things with a bit of a horror bent (I don’t, but really enjoyed this novel).
*Never Leaving Laramie* by John W. Haines is a collection of true short stories about a Wyoming man who spent his life adventuring around the world. You learn in the opening that it was written after a misadventure left him paralyzed and wheelchair-bound.
*My Planet* by Mary Roach is a collection of true-ish shorts she originally published in Reader’s Digest magazine. Engaging, hilarious stories about life, planet Earth, and encounters with the people and places that it contains.