Books To Get You Back Into Reading
So, you haven't picked up a book in… well, let's just say a while. Maybe it's been months. Maybe it's been years. Life happens, right? Work, family, that endless scroll on your phone that somehow eats up all your free time. Suddenly, the idea of cracking open a novel feels like climbing Mount Everest. But you miss it. You miss those cozy nights curled up with a story. You miss that feeling of getting lost in another world.
Fear not, fellow former bookworms! Re-entry into the literary world doesn't have to be a chore. Forget those daunting classics you were forced to read in school. We're talking about fun. We're talking about easy. We're talking about books that will sneak their way into your brain and remind you why you loved reading in the first place. This isn't about intellectual heavy lifting. It's about pure, unadulterated enjoyment.
First up, let's talk about thrillers. Now, I know some people find thrillers a bit… much. But hear me out. A good thriller is like a roller coaster for your brain. It's fast-paced, full of twists, and keeps you turning pages way past your bedtime. You don't have to analyze every sentence. You just have to hold on tight. Think of something like The Guest List by Lucy Fokley. It’s a classic "whodunit" set at a wedding. Lots of secrets, lots of suspects, and you'll be guessing right up until the end. Or how about The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides? This one is so cleverly plotted, you’ll be kicking yourself for not seeing the ending coming. These books are basically permission to be totally engrossed without any guilt.
Then there are romantic comedies. Yes, you heard me. Rom-coms in book form. These are the literary equivalent of a warm hug and a good laugh. They’re usually light, witty, and have characters you can’t help but root for. They don't require a thesaurus or a philosophy degree. They just require you to enjoy a good love story with a few awkward moments thrown in. Emily Henry is the queen of this genre right now. Her books like Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation are pure sunshine. They’re funny, they’re heartfelt, and they’re incredibly easy to read. You'll find yourself smiling at the pages. And who doesn't need more smiling?
Now, for something a little different, consider memoirs. But not the super serious, soul-searching kind. Think more along the lines of funny, relatable stories about everyday life. People sharing their embarrassing moments and their triumphs. It’s like gossiping with a friend, but on paper. David Sedaris is a master of this. His essays are hilarious and often surprisingly poignant. Pick up anything by him, like Me Talk Pretty One Day. You’ll be snorting with laughter in no time. Or how about Jenny Lawson? Her book Let's Pretend This Never Happened is a wild ride through her life with an unfiltered, hilarious take on everything. It’s a little bit weird, a lot funny, and very, very human.
For those who like a bit of mystery but don’t want anything too gruesome, try cozy mysteries. These are the books where the stakes are usually a small town, a bake sale gone wrong, or a murder that happens in a library. The detective is often an amateur, like a baker or a librarian. And the violence is minimal, if it’s even there. They’re comforting and engaging. The Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton is a great example. Agatha is a fabulous, slightly ridiculous woman who solves crimes in the English countryside. It’s like a cup of tea and a biscuit for your brain. Or the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. Flavia is a precocious 11-year-old who loves chemistry and solving murders. She's wonderfully witty and the mysteries are engaging without being terrifying.
What about something that feels like dipping your toes back into fiction without fully committing? Try short story collections. You can read one story, put the book down, and feel accomplished. No need to remember all the characters from chapter one. It’s bite-sized reading. Anthologies with a theme, like "best of the year" or a specific genre, are a good way to discover new authors too. You might find a new favorite writer you never would have stumbled upon otherwise.
My totally unpopular opinion? Sometimes, the best way to get back into reading is to reread a book you loved. Yes, I know, it feels like cheating. But it’s like visiting an old friend. You already know you’ll enjoy their company. You can savor the parts you remember and discover new things you missed the first time around. Pick up that fantasy series you devoured in your teens, or that sci-fi epic that blew your mind. It’s a low-risk, high-reward strategy.
The key is to be kind to yourself. Don't aim for War and Peace on day one. Start with something that excites you, something that makes you forget you're even reading. Whether it's a page-turning thriller, a laugh-out-loud rom-com, or a quirky memoir, the goal is to find joy in the words again. So go ahead, pick one up. Your brain will thank you. And who knows, you might just rediscover your inner bookworm.
