Book addicts...help me out
By downtrodden
@downtrodden (143)
Philippines
July 26, 2010 12:07pm CST
I was just reading a discussion by stine1 about how she needs a hobby and I was ready to suggest Reading, but it was one of the things she said she'd tried but found very boring.
Now, I don't mean to sound like a pain in the a** and force the issue here, but I simply can't believe that anyone with that much imagination and personality could find Reading a boring hobby.
So, it made me think, maybe she just hasn't come across the right book that would "tickle" her reading appetite. I suggested that she start with a short novel because that was how I got started with reading, but I'd like to ask you, myLotters...What book would you suggest to someone who is just beginning to try reading, or to someone you would like to encourage to read?
1 person likes this
15 responses
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
26 Jul 10
A thriller would keep a newbie reader glued to her/his seat and once that book is over, they will ask for more
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Most of the thrillers I know are really long, though (the good ones, anyway) and might seem boring for someone who's just starting to get into reading. Do you know of any short ones that might be good?
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
Tried to paste a link here, but I'm not yet allowed to paste. LOL
Would it work if I pm'd you?
@AutumnGold (1056)
•
26 Jul 10
Hello Downtrodden. I sometimes leave a book unfinished because it's boring me but that doesn't mean I don't like reading. I love to swap books with my friends and I like to read a lot, I like most kinds of fiction and biographies. The secret is finding that "niche" and sticking to it. Some people like science fiction, others hate it, some like romance, others hate it. We can't all just pick up any book and enjoy it but there are books out there for everyone. I hope we can help Stine1 to find a book and get her addicted to reading :)
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Yep, I agree...She just needs to find the right book :)))
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
I would really suggest Twilight then...the book, not the movie :P
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
26 Jul 10
That really depends on her interests. There isn't any one book that's a guarantee to be interesting to everyone. Find out what she likes and try to find a book about that. And don't pass up non fiction or humor books.
But, I also think that some people just don't care for reading. Some people will never enjoy it, no matter what book, because it's not the books themselves, but the act of reading. On a rare occasion, my brother might find a book he enjoys, but he's never been much of a reader. I mean, never been someone to make a point of choosing to read for pleasure. He finds other things more interesting. I don't know if that's the case with this person but it is a possibility. But, if the problem is just not having found the right book, the only way for anyone to be able to answer that is to know what book is right for that particular person.
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Yeah, you have a point there...My brother is exactly like that. He simply doesn't find any joy in reading, LOL
But this person we're talking about seems really imaginative and I truly believe she just hasn't found the right book.
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
Trust me, the movie version doesn't even come close to half the experience you get from reading the book :)
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
26 Jul 10
I would suggest one of the books that are popular with the general public so you know they are readable by people who don't read a lot. The Harry Potter series would probably be a good start because the books start out simple and easy to read and get more complicated as the series progresses. I have never read them myself, as I have no interest in them but they would probably be good for a first time reader, depending on what they liked. Grisham is good for thriller first time readers, or if they liked romance novels Sandra Hill is good, funny and easy to read.
I read several genres and often read what the general public is reading so that I can talk about them with others. Right now I am in the middle of Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, which I would not suggest for a first time reader.
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Thanks Aurone! Yeah, I agree about the Potter series. I've read them all and they're quite an easy read. I generally try to stay away from the highly publicized bestsellers as I tend to be more disappointed rather than impressed by them LOL.
I haven't read Pillars but I'm about to get a hold of The Third Twin :)
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Jill Holmes kinda sounds familiar...anything else she's done I might have heard of?
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@T_Diamond (965)
• New Zealand
26 Jul 10
I'd encourage omething short and funny.
"Three men in a boat" by Jerome Jerome
"Swords for Hire" by Will Allen
"I know what you did last wednesday" by Anthony Horowitz.
All books are about 200pages, I think one or two up there are even less, but they are full of laughs.
Another factor that really puts people of reading is the print. The smaller the print...the less likely I'd want to read the book, because no matter how interesting it's going to get - it's still a pain in the *** to read the writing...
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Great suggestions T! I'm trying to borrow "I know what you did..." from a friend. It comes highly recommended :D
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@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
30 Jul 10
I would suggest different genres to people. Iwould find out what she has already read and then go from there. I think James Patterson is good to start with because his chapters are short, but interesting and entertaining. I found it hard to not get into one of his books.
@Peppersquirrel (437)
• United States
27 Jul 10
I don't like reading books, but I find them helpful for me to energize my brain in a thinking way. I usually read self-help books, health aids, foreign languages, and computer technology books. I get my learning from reading certain books.
@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
Reading for learning IS one of the best reasons to pick up a book. It doesn't always have to be for leisure. Books certainly are a great way to exercise your brain and your imagination. :)
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
26 Jul 10
Reading is not boring! I revolt against the very idea!
Well for first-time readers I would suggest something light, happy, and addicting. Probably in YA because that's where most of that stuff is. Personally I'm a big fan of the Percy Jackson series, and I'd recommend those to anyone just getting into reading. There are also some really short and sweet classics like The Secret Garden, that I would recommend.
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@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
28 Jul 10
I think a good book is a good book no matter what age it was written for! I'm 19, but I still read YA and children's books.
Stine- YA is an abbreviation for "Young Adult" and they're books written with teenagers in mind. Most of them are books good for any age though. ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
I agree! Reading is not boring at all...I mean, sure there may be some boring material out there, but reading in itself isn't boring...
I also agree about light reading for starters, nothing too demanding on the reader. I must admit, I still am a fan of young adult material up to now that I'm not-so-young ;)
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@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
I actually started with the simple ones-- and what I mean by simple ones are those for young adults, like Hope was Here, which I read in our library when I was in high school, and Starring Sally Freedman as Herself (that was the title, if I'm not mistaken). I know it may sound silly to read those kinds of stuff since they're really intended for children and young teenagers, but what I'm saying is that you can start with the light ones which will make you crave you for more. I didn't find it boring at all and when I read inspirational books and fictional/thriller ones, I enjoyed it because I found it very interesting, just like a child enthusiastically aiming for challenge. As of now I tried going back to the classics, like To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice. You can also try reading Psych books which are very interesting because you find lots of trivia and learn about yourself at the same time :) Hope it helped :) Good day!
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@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
And now that you mentioned it, I also remembered going gaga over Nancy Drew books back then. Those were the good ones :)) You can just read anything out of everything if you really have time :)
@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
Those are very good suggestions, offlimits. Thanks! And no, it's not silly at all to read children/young adult literature. I shamelessly admit to reading and rather enjoying the Harry Potter series. I got started reading with Choose Your Own Adventure books and the Hardy Boys, LOL.
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
I don't think I've come across a David Eddings novel yet, but I will check it out for sure. Thanks for the suggestion :)
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@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
Exactly, that's why we're trying to suggest good books for her :)
What particular books about witchcraft and vampires can you suggest?
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@jamuls (530)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
try suggest some books that are considered, "light-reading" materials. fictions or fantasy would really trigger her imagination. maybe some of J.K Rowling's book, you know, Mr. Lightning on the forehead kid. or Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson series.
or maybe ask here what her favorite movie is and if that movie was based on a novel, tell her that the book is way waaaay waaaaaaaay better than the movie. that's what i did to my girlfriend. :)
good luck! eye's are not just for seeing! it's a waste, God make 'em so we can enjoy books, right? :)
@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Exactly! Books are waaaaaay better than the movie counterparts. That's actually a valid suggestion...ask what her fav movie is. Thanks!
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@rendhel09 (120)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
well for me, i can't suggest anything, because i am not a book addict like you...LOL, however, i am fond of reading one of our local novels and i found it really interesting, i am somehow in our vernacular "mababaw lang ang kaligayahan". in short, stories like fairytale and fantasies, like a story of a certain saleslady come accross with a filthy rich businessman, then they both fell in love ( well the story will not be interesting if along the way there will be no hindrance and obstacles to their love story ), sorry if i can't recommend any popular authors though but try bob ong....LOL
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@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
Bob Ong books were fun. Haha. Those are really the light-read ones. I mean, you could just read it wherever you want and laugh by yourself. LOL. But yeah, that's if they only understand the language :)
@downtrodden (143)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
LOL thanks dhel! I don't think they'll enjoy the tagalog novels, hahaha! But yeah, some of them are actually a good read, if you can understand the language :)
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@redmaryjane (891)
• United States
30 Jul 10
Maybe she can go for a series? She won't have to read through the entire Harry Potter series.
I can recommend Shopgirl by Steve Martin. It's short and it's amazing. I read it while I was travelling in Hong Kong and I was left feeling satisfied and wishing that the characters were real and sitting next to me in the plane.
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