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32 Reader-Recommended Books to Inspire Nonreaders
A book is a gift that keeps on giving, especially when it inspires a non-bookworm to read more. To help spread more literary joy this holiday season, we asked avid readers on Twitter and Facebook for titles that could whet the appetites of those who aren't devouring books on the daily (for now).
In addition to rounding up the most highly recommended titles from A to Z, we listed some sage advice from these avid readers as well. Nonreaders have their own tastes and inclinations, and you can use the following tips to help narrow down your choices:
Want even more tips for buying books as gifts? This bookstore owner can point you in the right direction. In the meantime, tell us in the comments which books you'd recommend to hook nonreaders. And don’t forget to add your favorites to your Want to Read shelf!
In addition to rounding up the most highly recommended titles from A to Z, we listed some sage advice from these avid readers as well. Nonreaders have their own tastes and inclinations, and you can use the following tips to help narrow down your choices:
- "I try to find a book that would fit the person," says Adrienne. "What interests them the most? It's really important to encourage reading, as there are way too many people who view it as too boring or time-consuming."
- "Ask them what they watch on TV," says Kimberly. "There’s a good chance it's based on a book series. Then buy them the first book in the series, which has characters they’re already invested in. Then buy them a book from a similar genre by a different author and keep going."
- "Someone that is not in the habit of reading yet might find it easier to start with an audiobook," says Panos. "Understand what their interests are (perhaps through their favorite movie genre) and find a similar audiobook title."
- "I think the subject just has to be something that speaks to them personally and they'll be hooked," says Mishka.
What books would you recommend to hook nonreaders? Let us know in the comments.
Check out more recent blogs:
The Art of Buying a Book for a Serious Reader
'Book Series Recaps' Helps Readers Catch Up on Their Faves
Literary-Inspired Gifts for the Most Avid Bookworms
Check out more recent blogs:
The Art of Buying a Book for a Serious Reader
'Book Series Recaps' Helps Readers Catch Up on Their Faves
Literary-Inspired Gifts for the Most Avid Bookworms
Comments Showing 1-50 of 83 (83 new)
I recommend forty rules of love , thousands splendid sun, mornings in jenin 😊
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller! I very recently recommended it to my sister, who hasn’t read a full book in years, and she took a while to really get into it, but then she devoured it. And now she’s still obsessed with it!
Books that may engage and encourage reading: Secret Life of Bees or She's Come Undone (f) and Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or Killer Angels (m)
I'd recommend the Harry Potter series, even though I didn't complete reading it myself. This got my two non reader kids to read.
Why would books that center around the world of books (Shadow of the Wind, Book Thief, Thirteenth Tale, or Fahrenheit 451) engage non-readers?
There are no books i can find that Rd eligible for me to reac
To Goodreads: Can we please start a new thread - How to Inspire a Non-Reader Teen to Read? This is so much more important, as the lifelong habits of reading (and not only reading) are starting at this age.
The only one I may have liked, I watched the movie which was good and that's enough.
I would recommend Loot by Jude Watson. It's great for people who love to read about mystery and crime.
Salam wrote: "I recommend forty rules of love , thousands splendid sun, mornings in jenin 😊"READ ALL THREE :)
Horror: The Store by Bentley Little or 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King.Fantasy: Cinder by Marissa Meyer or A Game of Thrones by GRRM OR A Monster Calls for all the feels
Sci-Fi: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card; nice way to ease into sci-fi; or The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.
Fiction/Lit: Cane River or Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: A Story from Different Seasons, as a standalone.
I frequently recommend comic books/graphic novels to the reluctant teen readers I work with, but I think this tactic would work well with adults too ;)Also short stories work well, because they are quick and low commitment.
Jess wrote: "I frequently recommend comic books/graphic novels to the reluctant teen readers I work with, but I think this tactic would work well with adults too ;)Also short stories work well, because they a..."
I hate short stories - ok that is a personal view but i think they rarely have the hook that brings a reader in. For me, in so many cases, they try to be too clever and they fail to have a real narrative. I am often left thinking WHAT???
Pete wrote: "Why would books that center around the world of books (Shadow of the Wind, Book Thief, Thirteenth Tale, or Fahrenheit 451) engage non-readers?"Agreed. I read Thirteenth Tale recently and it is great, but there's so many allusions to classic literature - really, the whole plot is a Jane Eyre homage - that I imagine a reader who isn't familiar with those books would be put off, if anything.
Melissa wrote: "I would recommend:Memoirs of a Geisha"
Me too! Even though I'm an avid reader (not the non-reader target audience of this post) that is still one of my favorite books.
Anything by Agatha Christie ( and then there were none, death comes as the end)... also Jodie picoult ( my sisters keeper, small great things )
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is a great book for a non-reader because it invokes comic books, messes with history, and has playful characterization.
One good thing, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
Baishali wrote: "Anything by Agatha Christie ( and then there were none, death comes as the end)... also Jodie picoult ( my sisters keeper, small great things )"As a kid and teen, I was far from a "reader" but I loved Agatha Christie mysteries! They are super quick and keep your curious. I haven't loved them as much in adulthood, but I'm grateful that they kept me reading back then.
The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared K Jonas Jonasson
I would reccommend The Land of Stories series, Story Thieves series, and countless others that would take a long time to list. (it's on my profile)
I’ll try to keep this family friendly:Eff the crap on this list!
Honestly I’m SHOCKED Harry Potter and Game of Thrones aren’t on it because they’re on every single list on this bloody site. Now you’re saying, I should give one of these books to a person who hasn’t finished a real book since the 9th grade?? Not a damn chance. I can’t even get through over half of these without passing out, and I read every day! Honestly a person is supposed to be excited to read after one of these bore fest? Hell no.
Okay, I apologize for my too strong opinion in advance. I don’t actually really give a shit at all. I don’t even know why I’m commenting. I hardly read the list I just glanced at the titles. I’m bored. It’s one of those nights when I rant on random comment sections, send boredom help. Okay, sorry, I’ll be on my way now. Good day lads.
River of Doubt by Candice Millard. Story of Teddy Roosevelt's exploration of an uncharted river in the Amazon basin. A harrowing story, brilliantly told.
The Shadow of the Wind, and Crazy Rich Asians are too long to suggest for non-readers (I found the first dull, and the second I DNFd). Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451 are too literary - I dont think they are that interesting as stories in and of themselves. 1984 would be a better choice.I would try match with their personality and what they care about. Are they analytical? A deep thinker? Deeply compassionate? etc.. and try to pick an easy, likeable read that will really speak to them.
The Martian, A Man called Ove, The Book Thief, A fault in our Stars, a Celeste Eng and Big little Lies are in general great recommendations for this. I would still consider LOTR or HP, as there is so much spark behind each of these stories that I think anyone could love them.
Mothwing wrote: "Oaken thorne by robin jarvis"The only problem I would have with recommending just that is that it is technically the second book in a trilogy that is the sequel to another trilogy. While I personally owned and have enjoyed the book, I think it would be much more practical (and make more sense for anyone unfamiliar with the series) to start at the beginning with 'The Dark Portal'.
The question clearly states: "What books would you recommend to hook nonreaders? Let us know in the comments."To put down someone else's recommendation or to rant about the list given, is uncalled for.
It is asking for YOUR recommendation. That is it. ....dang...
Pete wrote: "Why would books that center around the world of books (Shadow of the Wind, Book Thief, Thirteenth Tale, or Fahrenheit 451) engage non-readers?"The only book mentioned here I haven't YET read is The Thirteenth Tale. I don't think I agree that all books about books help non-readers become readers. In the case of Shadow of the Wind, there is a compelling mystery to unravel. In the case of The Book Thief, the non-reader may come to appreciate the girl's interest in having books. In Fahrenheit 451, I think the dystopian nature of the story is interesting.
So, no, I don't think books about books are inherently good choices for reluctant readers or non readers, but many have compelling stories in and of themselves.
Alondra wrote: "The question clearly states: "What books would you recommend to hook nonreaders? Let us know in the comments."To put down someone else's recommendation or to rant about the list given, is uncalle..."
This is a difficult proposition to give a blanket reply. Recommending to a non-reader or a reluctant reader a book without knowing ANY of their interests is not setting the non-reader up for success. Having an interest in fairy tales or myths or robotics or EMPs or foreign destinations or how things work goes a long, long way to matching a book to the reader. Though I realize this reply may be viewed as being difficult, I truly don't intend to be difficult. A little must be known of the person's interests before recommending a book.
I absolutely adored The Girl Who Drank the Moon and believe anyone who gave it a try truly should find it as interesting and entertaining and satisfying as I found it, Yet, if one is closed to venturing into YA territory, or fantasy territory, this book won't stand a chance.
The Girl on the Train
The Woman in the Window
Candlemoth