Reading a Book

Seanmul89

Hi,
One thing i never really do is read books, main thing is I get sucked into the social media like Facebook etc, when really I could be reading a book. So I want to get out of this habit. Where do I start?
For someone just starting to read books, novels and so on, what would be the best type of books to start with? Would I start with personal interests? Anybody that reads quite a fair amount of books might give a suggestion or a tip, not smart replies lol, thanks!

JustShon

First thing is to figure out if you prefer fiction or non-fiction.

If you watch TV at all, what do you watch?

Also, good habit is to not bring the smartphone in when you go for a poo, bring whatever book you're reading instead.

everlast75

JustShon wrote: »

First thing is to figure out if you prefer fiction or non-fiction.

If you watch TV at all, what do you watch?

Also, good habit is to not bring the smartphone in when you go for a poo, bring whatever book you're reading instead.

And if its an awful book, you won't be stuck for some toiletpaper!

JustShon

everlast75 wrote: »

And if its an awful book, you won't be stuck for some toiletpaper!

Could definitely recommend some books for that!

DavyD_83

You really need to just try reading stuff and see how mych you enjoy it. There will always be a bit of trial and error involved.

What type of stories do you find hold your interest, not necessarily in books, but in general?
I think there will usually be a strong overlap in the genres you enjoy regardless of the medium.

Do you watch films/tv?
If so, what genre of films do you enjoy most?
Do you prefer true stories or fiction?

If you have a strong personal interest in a certain subject, which you seem to imply, try reading something related to the topic.
What are you interested in?

recylingbin

1:_Delete Facebook.
2: Buy 'reading books for dummies'
3: Read it
4: Congratulations. You've read a book.

fineso.mom

Join a library. Go have a browse, maybe sit down and read the start of a few to see what holds your attention. Then take home a few and see how you get on.

Graces7

Join your local library and browse. The librarians will be glad to help I never buy books but read voraciously. Or browse in your local charity shop; mine has a huge range of paperbacks for 50 cents each and the money does good... If you want to look online, go to the gutenberg site... I have discovered a late in life love for thrillers.. devour them,, modern morality tales after all... good guy suffers and wins and the bad guy gets his dues. ...ENJOy! I have been a great reader since early childhood.. You have a wonderful journey ahead of you, you really do!

El Nick

Seanmul89 wrote: »

For someone just starting to read books, novels and so on, what would be the best type of books to start with? Would I start with personal interests? Anybody that reads quite a fair amount of books might give a suggestion or a tip, not smart replies lol, thanks!

I come from the "Kindle Is Good" school of thought (please - I'm not trying to start a format war) and read everything I read on the Kindle app on my smartphone. My phone is always with me, so I've always got a book handy, open at the page I left it last.

In terms of deciding what to read, if it's fiction you like, pick a movie you've always wanted to see and read the book instead. The book is almost always better than the movie - your imagination has better casting and better special effects than Hollywood does!

Austria!

Depends on your level of reading. If very low, probably best off starting with pure page turners. Harry Potter if you can get through the first two books aimed at children. Or the Millennium trilogy. Or the Da Vinci code, which is trash, but unputdownable trash.

Better page turners are Sherlock Holmes (this is small stories so very easy), Monte Cristo (this is long, but you'll devour it), Dracula (at least the start).
Also novellas like Of Mice and Men are so short you'll fly through.

You can stick with general appeal classics, Frankenstein, Lord of the Rings (this is long), Lord of the Flies, Tech Wars, which are good but not overly challenging. Other classics like MiddleMarch, any of the greek epics, Joyce you'd want to to stay away from.

That will get you into it gently.

Or for non-fiction depends on your area of interest, Bill Bryson's short history of nearly everything is cool if you like the history of science.

Qiaonasen

Dear Seanmul89.

I was in the exact same situation as you. I used to read a lot as a child but then the internet came along and I spent all the time stalking old friends on facebook which an addictive waste of time. I recommend that whenever you find yourself on facebook you instead spend that time reading a book.

I would recommend something like short stories at the start just to get into the Habit.

Yours Sincerely
Qiaonasen.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

You can't force yourself to read a book so make sure the first one is something that will interest you. Don't buy a book and certainly don't pay to join the library until the bug gets you. Borrow a book. You must know somebody who reads. Ask for suggestions from people who know you and know your tastes.

Reading is a fantastic hobby. I devour thrillers and savour non fiction history and science books. You'll never be bored with a book in the house or on a long journey.

Adorable

JustShon wrote: »

Also, good habit is to not bring the smartphone in when you go for a poo, bring whatever book you're reading instead.

Wow, do people actually read while they're on the toilet? :O I always thought people were joking. Surely it couldn't take that long to have to bring a newspaper/book/phone with you, no?

ScumLord

The advantage of social media is that it looks the same as working. Reading a book at work is probably going to get you fired.

jackwigan

Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard

A book to live by

Dial Hard

Enoch Small Thriftiness wrote: »

certainly don't pay to join the library until the bug gets you.

Not sure about elsewhere in the country, but all the Dublin public libraries are free to join.

Austria!

Dial Hard wrote: »

Not sure about elsewhere in the country, but all the Dublin public libraries are free to join.

Cork too. And ours aren't full of Dubs.

maudgonner

Qiaonasen wrote: »

I would recommend something like short stories at the start just to get into the Habit.

I think that's good advice - it's easy to stick with a short story and the best ones leave you thinking about them for longer than it takes to read them.

If you're more into non-fiction there are plenty of books that you can dip in and out of in the same way. Freakonomics comes to mind - it's easy reading but pretty interesting.

Personally I'd opt for real, paper books at the start - Kindles/tablets/phones are really handy, but it's tempting to just think "I'll just quickly check my email, or look this up on Wikipedia" and then you're back on the internet till 2am

Enjoy!

sadie06

Charity shops! Go to a few and pick some books that genuinely leap out at you, be that biography, history, fiction. A fiver will go a long way in the book section of charity shops.

When you have hit on a couple of genres you like, GoodReads is great for recommendations.

Mesrine65

jackwigan wrote: »

Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard

A book to live by

Yeah right, I'm going to live by a system of pseudo-psychotherapy developed by a pulp fiction writer that is also a canonical text for Scientology?! :rolleyes:

Lights On

Finnegans Wake might be a good one to start with OP, some light reading to get you into the habit!

Mr. Incognito

I read a lot.

I find that for me I have to read a few different genres at the same time as I can get bored easily and I flick back and forth.

I would recommend philosophy. I never studied it in College and started with Plato and Aristotle philisophical overviews and worked through to modern times.

Its heavy going so its good to pair it with lighter stuff. I recommend fantasy.

Genres:

Fantasy: Legend by David Gemmell is an incredibly interesting read.

Classics: East of Eden- Steinbeck

Beatnick/ Dug Culture- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson

History- Stalingrad by Anthony Beevor

Non Fiction WW2 - The Forgotten Highlander Alistair Urquhart

Fiction Fatherland- Robert Harris

Short Stories- A Quiver Full of Arrows by Jeffrey Archer

Horror- Pet Semetary Stephen King.

The King of Moo

I'd recommend the short-story collection Skeleton Crew by Stephen King.

He's a good author to start with as he has a very readable style but has got a lot of depth in terms of characterisation and can simply tell a good story.

And as mentioned earlier, short stories might be better to start off with than novels, as if you're very used to using social media, it could be quite hard to readjust to focusing on a long novel.

Best of luck on the beginning of your reading adventure!!

*flies into the sunset on Falcor*

The King of Moo

The King of Moo wrote: »

*flies into the sunset on Falcor*

Falcor!! I had forgotten!

The King of Moo

Deleted User wrote: »

Falcor!! I had forgotten!

That's what The Nothing does...

Austria!

Austria! wrote: »

Cork too. And ours aren't full of Dubs.

No, it's worse than that.

I second (or third, or fourth) the short story route, it'll get you reading without expecting too much delayed gratification from you.

tayto lover

Lights On wrote: »

Finnegans Wake might be a good one to start with OP, some light reading to get you into the habit!

That or Ulysses should have him hooked.

The King of Moo

The King of Moo wrote: »

That's what The Nothing does...

:pac:

So many memories now. On my mind's shelf that film sits alongside The Princess Bride and Labyrinth.

Thanks Moo

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Dial Hard wrote: »

Not sure about elsewhere in the country, but all the Dublin public libraries are free to join.

€12 here. But there is talk of it going to free shortly.

If free for OP, then go for it and try a few styles of books.

ToddyDoody

Start by going into a library and / or bookshop. Take a look in all the sections and see if aanything jumps out as interesting. If not on your first attempt, leave it and come back another time or to another bookshop / library. Actually read a bit of the book before you buy or borrow it, think to yourself 'would I be able to finish this', in which case starting with a not-too-long book might be a good idea.Take a good preview of the book, sit down and take time to read a few paragraphs. If you find you like he author and content, then considering buying or borrowing it.

Figbiscuithead

I think it's pretty pointless recommending a book to a complete stranger, so I won't do that. Speaking for myself, there's only certain people I'd take recommendations from just because everyone's taste is specific to them.

I do think the library is a good place to start simply because the books are free and you don't have commit to anything. As others said, go in and browse and read a few pages to see if any tickle your fancy - that's how I got into reading as a kid.

As someone said, perhaps let the kinds of films and TV series you watch guide you. I personally read similar literature to the kinds of films I watch (dark but not horror or thriller and a bit odd), so I reckon that's a good approach to take at the beginning.

Seanmul89

Wow thanks for the reply guys .. Some really good tips! I've a big interest in aviation I have some books on that, from the principles of flight to the Wright Brothers, I have the Art of War book that I'm going to start soon!
The likes of GOT I think would be a little heavy to start with! Thank again really appreciate it, it just gives me an idea the best route to go to start reading more often, I'll have a good look round the library!

Zxclnic

Seàn,
Since you've declared a keen interest in aviation perhaps you might
try the 'Budgie the Little Helicopter' series of books.
Based on characters devised by Sarah, Duchess of York, these spellbinding
stories are guaranteed to delight and excite as we join the eponymous 'Budgie' in his wondrous feats of derring-do, read how he bravely swoops to dangerously low levels in order to rescue and assist ordinary members of the general public - that's me and you Seàn - from general bad stuff, not quite sure here Seàn but probably drug-pushers, terrorists and such like....anyway it's fierce good craic.
Come back and tell us how you got on with 'Budgie'!
I've plenty of other ideas if that doesn't work out for you.

Seanmul89

Lol thanks .. Seems like a sophisticated aviation book !

Jesus Wept

JustShon wrote: »

First thing is to figure out if you prefer fiction or non-fiction.

If you watch TV at all, what do you watch?

Also, good habit is to not bring the smartphone in when you go for a poo, bring whatever book you're reading instead.

How long does it take people to poo? I've never understood this.

donegaLroad

any book by Bill Bryson OP

You couldn't go wrong, intelligent, very witty, insightful, universal appeal.

Collie D

donegaLroad wrote: »

any book by Bill Bryson OP

You couldn't go wrong, intelligent, very witty, insightful, universal appeal.

Everytime somebody recommends Bryson I feel a little bit stupid. I genuinely struggled with A Short History of Everything. Some chapters I liked but most of it was either over my head or boring to me. I've very little interest in science to be fair but did enjoy the more geographical stuff like volcanos etc

donegaLroad

Collie D wrote: »

Everytime somebody recommends Bryson I feel a little bit stupid. I genuinely struggled with A Short History of Everything. Some chapters I liked but most of it was either over my head or boring to me. I've very little interest in science to be fair but did enjoy the more geographical stuff like volcanos etc

that book is the exception, it is very technical.. try some of his travel books.

FanadMan

OP - as you have an interest in aviation, I'd suggest Down To A Sunless Sea by David Graham. It was written in 1979 but don't let that spoil it. It's a trashy type thriller but has quite a lot of detail on planes and their operation. Also has sex, fights and quite a strange ending. It's not particularly well written but is very easy to read and is well gripping.

Stinjy

Anyone who knows me on here will know I'm a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell. Read her Kay Scarpetta series. There's 23 books and she's still writing it. I find the continuous story keeps me reading and wanting more..

Collie D

OP, it's all personal taste so I won't recommend anything specific. But a good way of getting into reading is to think of a film you liked that was based on a book and read that book. In most cases it's better.

Oranage2

Seanmul89 wrote: »

Hi,
One thing i never really do is read books, main thing is I get sucked into the social media like Facebook etc, when really I could be reading a book. So I want to get out of this habit. Where do I start?
For someone just starting to read books, novels and so on, what would be the best type of books to start with? Would I start with personal interests? Anybody that reads quite a fair amount of books might give a suggestion or a tip, not smart replies lol, thanks!

I was in the same boat op not long ago, I started with something easy and a real page Turner. My first book was blew me away.

- The cat was in the hat.
I was like 'Wow amazing what could top that'
Next was
- The hat was on the cat
'Surely this book can't get any better'

MRnotlob606

Visit Independent book stores, some really interesting characters work in those places.

Graces7

Dial Hard wrote: »

Not sure about elsewhere in the country, but all the Dublin public libraries are free to join.

Free here in Kerry too. I use our wonderful mobile; take as many books as you like, no fines. I catch up with it at various towns when I am shopping. The charity shops are grand too and the small amount goes to good works.

Graces7

Collie D wrote: »

OP, it's all personal taste so I won't recommend anything specific. But a good way of getting into reading is to think of a film you liked that was based on a book and read that book. In most cases it's better.

Grand idea.. Always far better than the film...

Graces7

Stinjy wrote: »

Anyone who knows me on here will know I'm a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell. Read her Kay Scarpetta series. There's 23 books and she's still writing it. I find the continuous story keeps me reading and wanting more..

Oh yes; they are grand! Although I never get them in the right order! Same with Harry Hole..

Graces7

This thread reminded me of a conversation I had with our fresh fishman at our local market. He saw the great bag of books I had ready for when the Mobile Library arrived and was in awe.. Said he had never read a book in his life; yet every week he sits in his van devouring the newspaper page by page....All Dickens novels came out in periodicals, chapter by weekly chapter..picaresque...Reading is reading be it papers or books.

MRnotlob606

Jon Ronson's books are very entertaining.

drake70

Seanmul89 wrote: »

Hi,
One thing i never really do is read books, main thing is I get sucked into the social media like Facebook etc, when really I could be reading a book. So I want to get out of this habit. Where do I start?
For someone just starting to read books, novels and so on, what would be the best type of books to start with? Would I start with personal interests? Anybody that reads quite a fair amount of books might give a suggestion or a tip, not smart replies lol, thanks!

Hi OP, this is where I started:

http://thedabbler.co.uk/2015/02/the-ladybird-peter-and-jane-a-social-history/

Boom_Bap

Je suis Mario wrote: »

How long does it take people to poo? I've never understood this.

You don't have to read the whole book in one 'shitting'

biko

When you get serious about your reading, check out Literature forum for a lot of great recommendations.