Starting To Read Books Novels & Stories

Starting to read books can feel overwhelming, but it’s all about finding what clicks for you. I’d say pick something light and fun—maybe a genre you already enjoy in movies or shows. If you love fantasy, try 'The Hobbit'; if you’re into mysteries, 'Agatha Christie’s Poirot' series is a great gateway. Don’t force yourself to finish something if it doesn’t grab you—there’s no shame in putting a book down and picking up another. Libraries or e-book samples are perfect for testing the waters without commitment.

Another tip? Set small goals. Even 10 pages a day adds up. Audiobooks count too! I got back into reading by listening during commutes. The key is to make it enjoyable, not a chore. Over time, you’ll naturally crave longer stories or deeper themes, but starting simple keeps the pressure off.

Consider reading plays. The dialogue-driven format is quick and engaging. You can read them in one sitting, and imagining the staging is part of the fun. Shakespeare can be tough, but modern plays by people like August Wilson, Yasmina Reza, or Annie Baker are incredibly accessible and powerful. It's a different kind of literary muscle, and the white space on the page is less intimidating than dense paragraphs.

Reading felt like a chore to me until I stumbled upon a trick that changed everything: pairing books with my existing routines. I started by leaving a novel I was mildly curious about on my kitchen table, and every morning while eating breakfast, I’d read just two pages. No pressure, no goal—just two pages. Somehow, those tiny sessions snowballed into longer ones because I’d often get hooked and want to continue later. The key was removing the 'should' from reading—it wasn’t about finishing a chapter or hitting some arbitrary target. It became more like checking in with a friend over coffee.

Another thing that helped was embracing 'mood reading.' I used to force myself through classics or dense non-fiction because they felt 'worthy,' but switching to genres I genuinely enjoyed—like thrillers or lighthearted memoirs—made reading addictive. Now, I keep a stack of books with different vibes (a gripping mystery for energy, a cozy romance for stress) and let my mood pick. It’s like having a playlist for my brain. And if a book isn’t clicking after 50 pages? I drop it guilt-free. Life’s too short for books that don’t spark joy.