Happy Christmas eve eve!! Today I wanted to talk about the books I would recommend to my friends and others who don’t read a lot or want to get into reading. But first I want to say to anyone who is struggling with the recent announcement about the new laws over christmas since we are no longer allowed to spend time with our loved ones who we haven’t been able to see throughout the rest of the year, it is okay to feel sad, angry, frustrated and annoyed. But know that you will be okay, because although you may think christmas has been cancelled, there are so many things that aren’t cancelled that may be able to bring you some light relief during this time. Such as going for a walk, eating all the yummy festive food and video-calling friends and family. And if all else fail, you can seek some escapism in reading so good books!
When I am recommending books to my non-reader friends, I first try and find out what genre they would be interested in. This may be a bit difficult if they usually don’t read books, but it will be easy enough to figure out from looking at what kind of tv shows and films they are usually drawn to. After this, I will suggest books that make you forget about the fact that you are reading. I choose captivating and engaging novels, that either from personal experience or from recommendations from other book-lovers, I know that they wont want to put down. Some books on the top of this list are:
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is a book you all know that I love by now since I wont stop talking about it!
GENRE: Science-fiction
SYNOPSIS: In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a very relevant book considering the new wave of the Black Lives Matter movement over the summer and is a book I will continue to recommend to everyone due to the issue of racial injustice it explores. I told my flatmate that she needed to read this book and she flew through it in less than 2 days!
GENRE: Young Adult Contemporary
SYNOPSIS: Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid has such believable and realistic characters that you learn so much from. This novel has been taking to boo community by storm since it’s realise in 2017 and would be the perfect books for non-readers.
GENRE: Adult Historical Fiction/Romance
SYNOPSIS: Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
I absolutely fell in love with Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin when I first read it thanks to it’s hugely unique concept. The fascinating story lines is sure to captivate and engage non-readers and history buffs. It is even better as it a part of a duology which means they have another book waiting for them if they enjoy this one!
GENRE: Alternative Historical Fiction
SYNOPSIS: The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule. To commemorate their Great Victory, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor’s Ball in Tokyo. Yael, a former death camp prisoner, has witnessed too much suffering, and the five wolves tattooed on her arm are a constant reminder of the loved ones she lost. The resistance has given Yael one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year’s only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin’s brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael’s every move. But as Yael grows closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?
The last book I will recommend is TH1RT3EN by Steven Cavanagh. Being one of the only mystery/thriller books I have enjoyed so far, the unique and twisting story is engaging and dramatic. This is another book which is part of a larger series, so they reader will be encouraged to read more if they want to!
GENRE: Crime Mystery & Thriller
SYNOPSIS: The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury. It’s the murder trial of the century. And Joshua Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house – and to be sure the wrong man goes down for the crime. Because this time, the killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury. But there’s someone on his tail. Former-conman-turned-criminal-defense-attorney Eddie Flynn doesn’t believe that his movie-star client killed two people. He suspects that the real killer is closer than they think – but who would guess just how close?
In addition to these amazing books I would also recommend short books that any reader is for sure going to fly through, no matter they ability level. For example, graphic novels are great for readers with short attention spans or need a little bit more to engage them. The ones I would recommend or have been recommended to be are the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman, Sheets by Brenna Thummler and Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks. A personal favourite of mine that I will always recommend to non-readers are books written in verse. These get the story across in way fewer words and are often a lot more touching and emotive. My favourite authors for books in verse which I recommend that you and my non-reader friends should check out are Dean Atta, Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds and Sarah Crossan. Finally, I will alway recommend listen to audiobooks to people who don’t read often due to not having the time or don’t enjoy the act of reading words from paper.
There you have it, the books I would recommend to my non-reader friends if they came to me for advice on what to read! But my biggest piece of advice I would give them is to just read what you want and what you enjoy! Yes, these would be my top choices for you, but if you don’t like the sound of them, then don’t read them. Read the blurbs of lots of different books and find one that grabs your attention. All in all, I hope this was helpful!
Ro x
P.s. If I don’t post again before the 25th, I wish you a very merry Christmas!
Read With Ro 