Welcome! You, like many people in this social media wild west have realized you don’t actually read enough. Sure you stare at a screen or two, maybe three for many hours a day but you’re not actually retaining anything from it. I get it, I really do. Instagram and Twitter are my biggest time suckers. But! They also fuel a lot of my book buying habits which leads to my actually reading a book! This is where I’ll shamlessly plug my instagram if you want to see books that I’m currently reading or bought purely because the cover was aesthetically pleasing. Oh yeah I’m that person, I will buy purely for the cover. But that is not the point of this!
If you’re looking to get back into the book reading game I’ve got some suggestions!
Reread an old favourite!
This is a tried and true for me when I’m in a reading rut. Heading back to Hogwarts or really any book with some kind of magic does it for me. But maybe you don’t like magic! I’d think you’re weird but magic isn’t for everyone. Muggles, what can ya do…
Graphic Novels! The adult picture books!
No I don’t actually think graphic novels are adult picture books, but I have had someone say that to me? They were very wrong. Graphic novels are a great way to read in a different way. The art is another way of story telling. Which if you haven’t read Saga yet you’re doing yourself a disservice and you should run, not walk to your local bookstore and read volume one. While you’re there I’d also recommend picking up Rat Queen’s, The Prince and The Dressmaker, Lumberjanes, The Witch Boy and Bingo Love. But maybe you don’t like comics, maybe you want another method to read more.
Now let’s give her a listen!
I only just got on the audio book train and oh boy! I am not getting off anytime soon! Last year audio books helped me add 5 more titles to my 50 book pledge. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription like Audible you can download audio books from your local library! Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card! <– If you get this reference we can be friends.
But if you’re looking for some titles to try might I recommend The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher! She reads most of the book but her daughter Billie reads the actual diary entries and she has such a captivating voice.
But maybe you don’t care for Carrie Fisher, you’re wrong but everyone’s allowed their own opinions. Maybe you want something that hits a little more to the current climate of the world. Might I suggest Born A Crime by Trevor Noah or We’re Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union. You already know you like Trevor’s story telling style from his stand up. It shines in his novel. But Gabrielle’s book is like sitting down for drinks and stories with one of your best girlfriends.
Or maybe you want to not think about the world, maybe you just want a steamy read. Did you like Magic Mike? Of course you did, those boys can dance! But how would you like to listen to a book inspired by it? If you answered yes to these questions you need to download Stripped by Zoey Castile. Ooooh buddy the sex scenes are steamy and when they’re read by Jacob Morgan, I just honestly swoon. But maybe you want a romcom but not the audiobook…
Who doesn’t love a meet cute?
Another thing I got into in 2018 was contemporary romance novels. I have always been a sucker for romcoms so I’m surprised it took me so long to start picking up romance novels. But they’ve quickly become my go to for an afternoon of easy reading. Especially Jasmine Guillory’s books or Alyssa Cole’s! I know their novels will be instant buys for me because the series they are currently writing are some of my favourite reads of 2018. But maybe you want some hate fucking in your romance. No judgement, enemies to lovers trope is hands down one of my favourites, might I suggest The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. I did this one as an audio book but I had seen it all over social media when it first came out and a lot of bloggers I trust really enjoyed it. But hey maybe romance isn’t your thing, maybe you like something a little younger.
#Noshame I love YA.
I really, really do. The fantasy in YA is always so adventurous and out there. They try new things! Not all of them stick but I’d rather read a new idea than the same story over and over and over again by old white guys. Also! YA is so diverse! Take the one above, Emergency Contact by Mary H.K Choi, even just ten years ago a love story about two Asian Americans probably wouldn’t have been published. But my dudes! The god damn FEELS in this book. I was hiding my face in my pillow and blushing because the feelings of butterflies in your stomach is universal. If you don’t want the feels I wouldn’t recommend YA. They are all about the feels but might I make some suggestions on titles to check out if you’re intrigued: Toil And Trouble is an anthology about witches. Like I said I love me some magic and witch craft. How about some historical fiction with your magical realism? The Diviners by Libba Bray is the perfect combination of spooky and gripping. I can not wait to read the fourth one in this series. Not into historical fiction? How about some straight up fantasy? You gotta read An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, Sabaa will rip your heart out because she writes characters you fall in love with but she’s an evil woman who likes to torture her characters… I’ve been left with some feelings by this woman what can I say. Also! The maps in her books? Done by the same people who do the Game Of Thrones maps Yeah, THAT Game Of Thrones.
And there we go all the genres I can think of recommendations for if you’re trying to get back into the swing of reading. Did this help at all? Do you hate some of these books? Let me know! Few things in life bring me as much joy as talking about books. Well maybe naps but who doesn’t love a good nap?
Happy reading!
Chrissiegee reviews 