What to books to read? A Journey Begins...

GeneralC

Hi all,

I am in my late 20's and have a lot of free time at the present moment due to an illness. I was never much of a reader, always starting a book but never finishing it. I am hoping now that will change.

I am hoping you guy's can suggest some nice and easy books for me to begin my journey. No preference on genre.

What do you guy's think about starting with the Harry Potter books? I know they're aimed at teenagers but this is a series of books I always wanted to read! Would they be suitable for an adult?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Best,

GLaDOS

Nowt wrong with reading Harry Potter, go for it. Some of the best books in the world are "kids" books. Harry Potter reads fine as an adult, I don't think you'll find it overly childish or anything.

If you think you'd enjoy Horror I always found Stephen King very accessible and easy to read (Read my first King book when I was 15). Misery or 'Salem's Lot would be good books to start with, short enough books but two of his best imo.

If you think you might enjoy Fantasy I'd suggest Raymond E. Feist's Magician (and if you enjoy it, it's the first of a trilogy).

If you think you'd like something humorous I'd suggests Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything. It's a non-fiction, science based book, but Bryson is a very funny writer.

Couple of suggestions to start you off, maybe check out the synopses to see if they'd interest you .

GeneralC

Thank you kindly for the suggestions. I will check out them out!

Is there a site/shop out there that you would recommend to purchase them as used? The Harry Potter books for example seem fairly steep at 25-35 euro on Easons.com!

GLaDOS

If you're in Dublin, Chapters is my favourite place to go for second hand books, the whole 2nd floor is dedicated to them.

I don't buy many books online, so I'd say others can help you better with that, but I've gotten a few used books from amazon.co.uk. Value is lost a bit because you usually get screwed on delivery charges. I only really use it to get books I can't find in the brick and mortar shops.

hidinginthebush

If you're interested in a horror book, Dark Matter by Michelle Paver is absolutely brilliant. It's very short as well, I did it in two days I think, and I wouldn't be the heaviest reader, so it could be a handy to get into the feeling of reading a whole book.

Also if you're interested in books like Harry Portter, I think you could enjoy the books by Neil Gaiman. They're not as "magic" based, and would be aimed at a more mature audience, (though older folk like myself will still love them). American Gods, Neverwhere and Anansi Boys are all excellent.

ahlookit

Sorry to hear you're not well OP. Hopefully you'll get into reading and it will help provide some enjoyment til you're back to full fitness.

Have you considered a kindle? You can pick one up for about €80 in Argos/Currys and then buy books from amazon online. Might be easier than you getting to a bookshop? For example, I can see that the Harry Potter complete collection is there for £38 or approx €53. Thought it might be safer to buy one first and see if you like it. Also, Project Gutenberg have classics available for free if you want to download some of the old classics like Sherlock Holmes stories, Dracula, Charles Dickens, etc

https://www.gutenberg.org/

GeneralC

Thank you all so much for the suggestions and thank you ahlookit for the kind words.

What is a kindle like for reading? I know my iPad gives me terrible headaches when trying to read for prolong periods of time.

Paddy Samurai

GeneralC wrote: »

Thank you kindly for the suggestions. I will check out them out!

Is there a site/shop out there that you would recommend to purchase them as used? The Harry Potter books for example seem fairly steep at 25-35 euro on Easons.com!

Hi GeneralC
You could try book depository ,which is way cheaper than easons.

http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=harry+potter&searchSortBy=&category=&price=low&availability=1&searchLang=123&format=1

or Abe books for new and second hand books.


http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?bi=s&n=100121503&tn=harry%20potter

Best of luck:)

ahlookit

GeneralC wrote: »

What is a kindle like for reading? I know my iPad gives me terrible headaches when trying to read for prolong periods of time.

Kindle reader (as opposed to tablet) is brilliant for reading. I find its just like reading off paper, no eyestrain at all. Staring at a computer screen all day for work I was skeptical about them until a mate lent me one for a couple for days to try it. I was hooked after that.

GeneralC

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

Hi GeneralC
You could try book depository ,which is way cheaper than easons.

http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=harry+potter&searchSortBy=&category=&price=low&availability=1&searchLang=123&format=1

or Abe books for new and second hand books.


http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?bi=s&n=100121503&tn=harry%20potter

Best of luck:)

Fantastic! Abe books seem to be really good value!

GeneralC

ahlookit wrote: »

Kindle reader (as opposed to tablet) is brilliant for reading. I find its just like reading off paper, no eyestrain at all. Staring at a computer screen all day for work I was skeptical about them until a mate lent me one for a couple for days to try it. I was hooked after that.

I am skeptical about them! I am prone to getting bad headaches in general and they really flare up with the computer screen so you can see why I have my reservations about them!

Which model would you recommend? Buying 'books' on them are obviously a lot cheaper on them compared to the physical ones?

ahlookit

I'd say go for the basic model - don't think you need 3g on a kindle - they all have wifi.

The "paperwhite" ones are front lit - handy for reading in the dark, but almost twice the price. So nice to have rather than a necessity in my opinion.

Also, worth keeping an eye on the sales amazon have on for Kindle - different books reduced every day, another selection reduced every month, then occasional sales for xmas etc. Its the usual mixed bag, some are great, some look awful, but you can try a cross section of stuff at very reasonable prices.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=s9_acsd_al_bw_hsb_x_s1_n?_encoding=UTF8&node=8517544031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=1Z3XDN434SRTAJVFSE6S&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=779943967&pf_rd_i=341689031

For instance, Alone In Berlin was a brilliant read in my opinion, and is available for £2 at the moment

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003ZUXX92/ref=s9_hps_bw_g351_i20?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-5&pf_rd_r=0NXBXDNRQSJFAQN93247&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=777454847&pf_rd_i=8517544031

It was written by a German in the 1940s. Set in Nazi Germany, a couple start a campaign of resistance by dropping postcards criticising the Nazi regime around Berlin. Worth reading for anyone with an interest in WW2, gives an insight into lives of ordinary Germans while the war was going on.

Manach

For the OP, might I suggest Audio books. They are a bit expensive (esp. Audible) but in general easy to get into. The Audible website does do a daily deal and the prices range from 3-5 dollars.

Bookwise, perhaps start off with a good historical series like Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander series of books.

Jinonatron

A great book I recently read was "A study in scarlet" by Arthur Conan Doyle. It is the first Sherlock holmes novel and short and sweet and a great book.

Also maybe check out "The devotion of Suspect X" which is a japanese detective story.

Also short story collections are great because you can just dip in and out of them quickly. Recently read "Young Skins" by Colin Barrett and enjoyed it very much.

GeneralC

Many thanks to all for the suggestions.

My mother gave me a book there that she had lying around The Power of Now. It's not the easiest book to begin with it but I suppose it's fitting to where I am in life at the moment.

ahlookit - I think I am going to invest in a basic Kindle. Do you not miss holding a 'physical' book? I just think we spend so much time on electronic devices these days it would be nice to take a break from them with a book. However, paying just a few cents for a good title seems like a huge advantage for me and having so many titles at your disposal.

Manach - I like the idea of Audiobooks but not sure if they're for me. Thank you for the suggestion though.

Jinonatron - I will check up those titles. I like the sound of the japanese detective story! I also think the short story collections is a great idea to get me into reading!

I am going to pick up the first Harry Potter book tomorrow. I might look a little odd going in to purchase it though!

GLaDOS

Personally I will never own a kindle, I love my physical books too much but I accept I'm in the minority in that respect, kindles are fantastic from a practical point if view, its just a quirk I allow myself

Mary63

Sorry to hear you are unwell,what interests you,do you like fact or fiction,what about crime fiction.

Maybe try Ian Rankin,there would be lots of his books available in Charity shops etc and you can re donate them afterwards.

I would try the library first and maybe ask some of the staff to recommend some titles.

Hi OP, sorry to hear you're not doing well.

Just to second the Harry Potter and Bill Bryson suggestions, and also to recommend you try a collection of Stephen King short stories. If you've had problems finishing books, it might be the way to get used to seeing things through. He's got several collections published, the latest being The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, which I really enjoyed.

I second the Kindle idea too, the basic one being fantastic but if you can possibly afford the Paperwhite, it's vastly superior again. Having had both, I'd never go back to the basic one. Either one comes into it's own when reading big books (the kind that fall on your face in bed when you're dozing off, and break your nose!), or travelling. Also, if you're so ill that getting out to bookshops is an issue, you can download books in 30 seconds from the Kindle store.

Best of luck with your health and I hope you enjoy whatever books you decide on.

Mary63

Would you try an audio book,it might be easier than reading if you aren't feeling well.Again the library have a huge stock.

GeneralC

ScienceNerd - I can totally relate to your point re: physical vs. Kindle. I would ideally like to get my hands on one and check it out before buying it.

Mary63 - Thanks for the suggestion - I never even thought about a charity shop.

I have purchased several Lee Child books in the past, started them and gave up after 3/4's the way through! They were good but never really engaged me that much. I have read the 2 bio's, again they didn't do much for me. I never tried fantasy hence why I am going to give it a shot.

The Sun King

Is the library out of the question? You could look the books up on their online inventory, reserve or order them from other branches if needs be and have someone pick them up. Save a few quid that way and see what books you like.

I'm a graphic novel, fantasy, sci fi guy myself.

skippy15

Local libraries are very under rated and lots can be now renewed online also-

I got a Kindle fire last xmas- wow takes reading to a new level such an ease. ive gone from a book every 6 months- to a book every 2/3 weeks:eek:
Can also download a lot of books as PDF's for free and read them.

Harry Potter would be a good starting spot as its easy reading- Im actually on them at the minute. Written for young teenagers but easy reads

Try things like the Roddy Doyle books, Dan Brown and recently read the hunger game trilogy which I loved. Good starting base before you get a feel on the exact genre you want

GeneralC

The Sun King wrote: »

Is the library out of the question? You could look the books up on their online inventory, reserve or order them from other branches if needs be and have someone pick them up. Save a few quid that way and see what books you like.

I'm a graphic novel, fantasy, sci fi guy myself.

Nope, it's only down the road from me! Good idea, thanks!

Have you read anything lately that you've enjoyed?

GeneralC

skippy15 wrote: »

Local libraries are very under rated and lots can be now renewed online also-

I got a Kindle fire last xmas- wow takes reading to a new level such an ease. ive gone from a book every 6 months- to a book every 2/3 weeks:eek:
Can also download a lot of books as PDF's for free and read them.

Harry Potter would be a good starting spot as its easy reading- Im actually on them at the minute. Written for young teenagers but easy reads

Try things like the Roddy Doyle books, Dan Brown and recently read the hunger game trilogy which I loved. Good starting base before you get a feel on the exact genre you want

I really want to experience reading on the Kindle first. I've been watching videos on Youtube about them but it's hard to really experience them!

The Sun King

GeneralC wrote: »

Nope, it's only down the road from me! Good idea, thanks!

Have you read anything lately that you've enjoyed?

Currently reading The Dwarves series (Markus Heitz) for the second time but I wouldn't advise them to start off with.

Also reading Ender's Game which is fine, but never kept my attention.

I second the Sherlock Holmes series. And H.P Lovecraft stories are short and brilliant in my opinion.

Avoid the classics :P

GeneralC

Just out of curiosity - How many books would you guy's read per week/month?

The Sun King

Id recommend 'I am Legend'. It's short, you'd get through it in a day, and I found it great.

Plus it's one of those books you can annoy your friends with by talking about how different, and much better, the book is!

Kovu

How about Discworld? I only read the entire series recently but found them very captivating and enjoyable. You can also choose to read them in the character series where the focus is on one character instead of chronological order.
I mainly read fantasy books and like you, I can find it difficult to finish them if I'm just not into them. So I mainly read page turners that keep me up to 3/4am

As for reading speed, meh, depends on weather, mood etc. I started the Lev Grossman Magician trilogy on the fifth of this month (odd book, disliked it at first because of the similarity to Narnia novels) and am roughly midway on the last book now. Roughly one to two hours per day reading.

I use the UB reader app on my phone, I don't get eye strain as the background is dark and find it easy to use.

ahlookit

GeneralC wrote: »

I really want to experience reading on the Kindle first. I've been watching videos on Youtube about them but it's hard to really experience them!

Yep, you wont know til you try it... maybe even if you can get to a shop and see one - you wont get the full affect, but even browsing for a min or two will give you the idea that they arent backlit so dont induce eyestrain.

I'd still buy the odd book - some are harder to get on kindle, and you cant really get a signed ebook! Its similar to music - I use spotify but buy the CDs eventually if I like the album, its nice to have something physical. On a more practical level, living in an apartment, there's only so many CDs and books you can store.

Oh, and if you're worried about people judging you seeing you with a Harry Potter book, nobody will be able to tell what you're reading on a kindle

GeneralC

Is Kindle unlimited available in Ireland? or a service similar that you guy's recommend?

Kindle unlimited is available to Irish customers. Be aware, however, that while the titles available are expanding all the time, not all titles are available in the service. I think there are about 3m books available on the Kindle platform, but just over 1m are available with Kindle Unlimited.

It has to be said that a choice of 1m books isn't bad either.

There is a months free trial that you can use to see if it's worth it to you.