A thought. A question. A musing. Whatever you would like to call it.
What do you do to convince an adult that reading is fun? How do you get someone started on a reading journey?
When someone tells me they don’t like to read, I struggle with the blankly polite face. (Mmhmm, oh really? I had no idea.) I respond noncommittally. I want to stand up and cry out, “I can’t believe it! How do you survive this world?”
Perhaps one day I will wonder aloud how people begin to dislike reading. But today, I want to talk over what you could do to convince them to enjoy books again.
First, convince them, and maybe yourself as well, that audio books are an acceptable form of reading. Listening to a book uses most of the same parts of your brain that reading does. Listening to a book is also reading a book, you just used your ears instead of your eyes. Or, maybe you should convince them that ebooks are a legitimate thing. You can still be a ‘real’ reader by using your phone. Why do I start with this? Because I have met many people who don’t believe they are ‘real’ readers because they listen to books, or read them on their phone. You being a reader and enjoying stories doesn’t have to look like any one thing in particular. You don’t have to have Belle’s library to enjoy reading. You just have to like stories.
Second, make it easy to get books. Whether that be Audible audios, Kindle on your phone, a library card, whatever it takes to make it easy to get a hold of books. The harder it is, the less likely your reluctant reader will be to read. You may adore going to the bookstore and wandering around smelling books for hours, your reluctant reader may not. Don’t bore them with books, make it easy to find the ones they like, and move on.
Third, give good book ideas. By this I mean listen to what they like, and recommend books based upon their interests, not upon what you think they should read. Or even what you find interesting. I have made this mistake many times. I gave a loved one a long list of things I thought he should read. And guess what? He read, maybe a third? Maybe less? Anyway, the point is, take your time to find out the last book they read and liked, and recommend based upon that.
Fourth, you didn’t think you would get away without a book list did you? Ha! If you are stuck finding interesting books to entice your reluctant reader, here are a few that have helped maaaany people like to read. Yes, some of them might be ‘kids’ books. The point isn’t to educate your reluctant reader, or turn them into a connossieur. We want them to enjoy books. That’s it. So here we go!
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. Shshsh. I know, everyone puts it on their list. But believe me when I say this series single-handedly took a non-reader and turned him into a bookworm. I am forever in its debt. It has everything, action, magic, adventure, likeable characters. And as a plus, you don’t have to find any books for a while, because the series is so long!
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Really, anything by Brandon Sanderson, but I think this one is the most accessible, and least scary looking of his books for reluctant readers. The characters in his books are all interesting and engaging, and the plot is fast paced. Quick enough to keep anyone’s interest! Also, once they get hooked on this author, they will be reading forever…
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. No, the movies are nothing like. Get those out of your head. This is a light hearted adventure featuring our beloved hobbits and dwarves. Also, it is much shorter than The Lord of the Rings, and therefore much more accessible.
Honestly, most action packed middle grade novels would be perfect for reluctant readers. Fun, lighthearted, but interesting, they tend to be without the weird stuff in YA and adult, and are just fun reads perfect to entice anyone into reading.
Happy reading! And good luck convincing the reluctant reader I am sure you are thinking of…
Shaina Merrick
The Beauty of a Story 