Find books and genres that actually interst you.

It sounds like you like being seen as a reader more than the reading itself. Reading is easiest if you enjoy the act and can't put down a story or can't stop wanting to learn more from your text book.

If you don't have that, there's not much point in reading.

Start at the library to find what genre and authors you like before going out and buy a lot of books when you find what you like you can start building a collection

I like novella's when I get in the space where I can't seem to finish a book (and it happens surprisingly a lot). Novella's have always helped me get out of that funk when nothing else will do.

As far as your guilt that fantasy novels are a waste of time... They aren't. Besides what cautioner86 says, they also teach you empathy.

Another thing is maybe try an ereader and borrow books from your library? You don't have to buy one either, there are many ereading apps available for free on your phone. My ereader is loaded with all sorts of books in many different genres, so when that mystery isn't working for me, and I'm suddenly in a gothic romance mood, I can switch it up.

T.Kingfisher has always helped me get out of a rut on reading. She does fantasy along with horror. My personal favorite is What Moves the Dead.

Also, don’t force yourself to read when you don’t feel like it. That will just put you of reading in the long run. Take a break when you feel like it, even in the middle of a chapter.

Just making sure, do you actually like reading?

Like, have you ever truly loved a book to the point that you want to kiss the cover when you're done? You enjoyed every second of reading it? You're smiling and thinking THAT WAS EPIC!

If you don't enjoy reading, it's ok! It's a hobby like anything else.

If you do enjoy it but struggle and just want to do it more, put your alarm every day for 20 minutes and read for those 20 minutes, no distractions.

You'll see that reading becomes a daily habit that way, and you may even want keep reading after the 20 mins are up!

Bring your book with you when you leave the house too.

In terms of not finishing books often - maybe go for smaller books under 200 pages for a while?

Change up the genre too - a fast-paced horror book feels VERY different than a literary fiction story.

Maybe instead of reading with a goal in mind ie. “I want to be smart, I want to look smart, I want to learn X……” just read for the enjoyment of reading. Get lost in the words and imagery that the book provides. Feel the characters. Don’t think that reading X genre is silly; reading is reading and you learn a lot from reading anything - proper grammar, how to formulate words/phrases in every day life, how to write better, speak better etc.

I’m 47 and will read anything that is a good story. I tend to gravitate towards certain genres but am open to read anything that is well written with a good story/plot/interesting characters.

Go to a library and browse the non-fiction, I like non-fiction and that’s how I found out.

Ask the clerk for a staff member who is exceptional at “reader advisory”, that’s what we call it when we try to figure out what you’ll enjoy.

Library, library, library.

Hi, friend! I'm an OLD PERSON so here's my advice from a lifetime of reading.

Books are great, but they're not the only format in town anymore. This society is technologically advanced compared to the one I was born into; you grew up using technology that was futuristic to my ancient ass. So maybe people of your generation just have a harder time sitting down and reading a paper book.

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the many benefits of appreciating language and story as art forms.

Have you tried audiobooks? Personally, I love them. Even my ancient self has found that I prefer audiobooks to print nowadays, and that I prefer reading on my Kindle to reading on a paper book. I tend to retain more and read faster when I use an e-reader vs. an old-fashioned book-book.

Maybe tinker with formats and see if you find yourself feeling more engaged if you use the ebook or audio edition rather than the print edition. They're still books! The form they take is just changing as our tech advances.

just read

Try "The Civil War", a huge set of books put out by Time Life. Illustrations are awesome as well.

What do you want to get out of reading? The answer to that should give you a few directions you could go in.

I’m a big advocate of learning history, it obviously influences everything in the present. It can be studied endlessly, anywhere from the largest of scope to minute details of an individual life. History can inform your reading of literature, psychology, the authors you read, the social and political situations we find ourselves in today, all the way down to personal circumstances. Science can do the same.

Once you decide what you want to get out of reading it becomes easier to pick out books to achieve that.

Get rid of your phone.

Go to the library and pick out 2-3 books you think you might be interested in (probably a mix of fiction and non-fiction). You can speak to the librarians about your interests and they can provide some recommendations. Then pick a book to start with and dedicate 30-60 minutes each day to reading that book. Try to make it a habit. If you really don’t enjoy the book you picked to start with, move onto the next book.

Something else you could try is finding a book that was turned into a movie that you might be interested in. Read the book first, then watch the movie and compare the two. Knowing that you will be able to watch the movie and then see the book come to life might provide some motivation to start and finish the book.

I know you so damn well. I did this. I’d recommend picking up one of those books again and finishing it from where u left off. I’ve done this more than once and most of the time it’s fine. Just did it with Midnight’s Children. Really did not like that story. Reading is a habit. Sticking to it is a habit. I’m reading two at a time (usually fiction and non-f, one actual book, one on Kindle) because it’s a habit. If u need a list t pick from there’s tons. Here’s one; https://thegreatestbooks.org/

I would start at the library and pick what interests you.

Consider realistic fiction or memoirs about topics that interest you. This will help the books feel valuable while being more of a page Turner than nonfiction.

I thought when I started reading I would be all about romance novels, and I was.. but I kept getting bored. I ended up liking psychological thrillers. They seem to hold my interest. Just keep trying different genres.

Stop whining and pick up a fucking book then. Don’t stop until you’re halfway - then you might as well read the other half.

Go to nearest public library and get a card

Go get Libby app. Find your library

You can download thousands of books directly to your phone

I also like paper white kindle. $100 and very nice.

As for books. As the librarian at your library. They do this for a living. They can get you started

Then start small. Have a goal of like 15 pages a day or 1 chapter or 3 chapters or whatever. It will become a part of your routine.

I'll give you some advice that's contrary to what you're getting on this thread: make a commitment to finish a certain amount of books by the end of the month/year and dont start a new book until you finish the one you opened.

What it comes down to is a commitment. If you set a clear goal you'll feel pressured to keep up/bad if you fall behind. If you don't start a new book then you'll want to read the one your on faster in order to get through it. You have to make the conscious decision to put down your phone and read but it gets easier the more you do it.

Might also help if you read nonfiction, classics, or popular novels? That way you can talk to other people about it and be in the loop with your reading ("I just learned x" or "now i get that reference to y" or "I also read that new book/I need to finish this book before the next one comes out")

Do you have any hobbies or interests? Maybe choose a book on that topic to start. For example, I once dated a personal trainer who wanted to read more. He was also into sports, so I told him to try a biographies of famous athletes and coaches. It worked. After a couple of those he moved into “food writing” (i.e. Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential, Michael Pollen’s books). Maybe you could try a similar approach.

Also, try to be easier on yourself. It’s okay to not finish a book if you’re not into it. Life’s too short. And don’t feel like you need to read 100 books in a year. Just try to read for 10 minutes a day to start.

Good luck and happy reading!

My strategy when I haven't read a book in a while is to go back to nostalgia. It's more important to develop the habit of reading than what you read.

I suggest going back and reading books from your childhood. Books that you loved. (For me, it's discworld.) You can now go back with an adult eye and you'll automatically analyze them a bit more than you did before. You can start there.

Once you're back in the habit, you can try other books from the same author, similar authors, or maybe you can switch genres and read more about something in the setting. You don't have to treat reading like a punishment or a chore. Find stuff you enjoy and try it. It's not bad to try a new book and give up after two chapters. Dip your toes into all kinds of water and find what you like.

What genre do you like: mysteries, romance, sci-fi…

Establish first what do you like.

Go to public place like park or library.

May be join book club or book’s discussions online.

I’m always reading 2-3 books at a time. Some people say this is confusing, but for me it makes the most sense. Have a non-fiction, a sci-fi, and a classic. When you settle in to read, now you have a choice so you can match your mood. Maybe the non-fiction was what you wanted yesterday, but you want something different today. No problem! Two other choices ready to go.

I guess show should start with thriller books so that you can get a habit of completing a book then you can go for other genres….verity by colleen hoover was one of the books I could stop myself reading from like dude i read that complete book in on go so if u like u can start with it .

Set aside 1 hour a day to read.

Tolkien is what made me fall in love with reading, now I devour anything fantasy.

Sometimes it just takes that 1 book.

Maybe go to the library first as there’s not so much of a cash upfront cost so if you don’t read as much as you hope to, to start with you won’t feel guilty which can make a spiral of avoidance start.

I use the do not disturb function on my iPhone for reading now and I also try and leave it in another room so I have to physically get up to get it.

Start with books that are light and easy to get into. I’m reading Hilary Mantel ‘the mirror and the light’ at the moment and it’s a bit of a slog for me. I’ve already read 7 books this year including a Donna Tartt for context so even for me (I would describe myself as a reader and that reading gets me into flow) some books just don’t hit the right moment to bring out the positives of reading.

Most of all - have fun, don’t be hard on yourself and reading is for everyone and everything counts. You read a newspaper article - congrats, you read some dialogue on assassins creed - brilliant or read a few chapters of a book - amazing.

But also if reading isn’t your vibe then that’s fine too!

Hi there. This subject has been very popular in the past. Please use reddit search and/or check the /r/books/wiki/faq.

Lots of people are suggesting bookstores and libraries. I'd like to suggest "Used Bookstores" for a couple reasons.

1. is the obvious fact you can save tons of cash.
2. They tend only throw out really wrecked books so you have a great deal of options.
3. Every time i have ever gone the people there know what they have or how what kind of books to direct you to. They are there because they like books, not to collect a paycheck like the big box stores. Or at least in my experience.

Places like this may be able to help you find stuff you like and save you money.

If you are interested in science, there are so many out there that are engaging and fascinating whilst being informative. I love Mary Roach.. start w Stiff: what happens to your body after death. David Quammen nature essays, Oliver Sacks, about the brain, or Jon Krakauer...real life events told in amazing prose. I too am a lover of fantasy novels, tho!

The hard part is find the kind of book you like, no one can tell which genres of book can like to you. Think about what you like more and just buy some book, not all of them will like to you, you will not end all of them. Just start and try

I would suggest trying to develop a desire to read that isn't almost entirely image based.

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try an audiobook! Also personally I don't like fiction so maybe you don't either! Saying "books" is like saying "food", that some people love eating but people don't just love eating any food, they love eating specific types of food. So maybe you haven't found your niche yet, but you have to keep exploring until you do, and that means finishing a book even if you don't want to!

I learned to be a reader from my dad. He used to grab anything handy and read it us as kids - newspapers, magazines, poetry books, the bible, shakespeare plays, comic books, anything.

What I learned and is most fundamental to my reading pleasure is - it doesn't matter WHAT you read, so long as you read.

By being a consistent reader, your vocabulary will increase greatly, your comprehension will grow by leaps and bounds, and your ability to write will improve.

I credit my love of reading for helping me get several short stories published, and even in college my writing professors were impressed, commenting that they looked forward to reading my papers no matter what I wrote about.

So - just do it. Even if it means picking up a graphic novel or a comic, and starting there. Hell I still read horror comics for fun, and I'm 63 now, and I never want to stop.