University of Kwazulu-Natal

Best 10 Books To Get Back Into Reading A Must Read List For Bookworms

Bonisiwe Shabane
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best 10 books to get back into reading a must read list for bookworms

One of my favorite things in the world is hearing from people that have rediscovered a love of reading after years without picking up a book or who NEVER enjoyed reading growing up and... But in either scenario, the trick is a really good book that makes you want to shirk all your responsibilities and just live inside the world of that book for a little bit longer! If you’re looking for a great book to kickstart your reading life, I’ve picked a few favorites in a whole bunch of categories, from romances to non-fiction to historical fiction to graphic novels. No matter which category speaks to you, I hope you’ll find just the right book to help you get lost in the world of reading! The Accidental Beauty Queen by Terri Wilson Charlotte is a school librarian and happy to spend her life buried in a book. Her twin sister, though, has spent her life chasing beauty pageant crowns and now is competing for Miss American Treasure.

Except, the night before the pageant begins, Ginny has a horrible allergic reaction and begs Charlotte to take her place until Ginny is well enough to step back in. But even though they look alike, Charlotte and Ginny are wildly different – is there any way they can pull off a con at this level? I read this last summer and blew through it in a day – it was just so so delightful. It’s also squeaky clean! (Full review here) Growing up, my family moved 11 times in 10 years—and whatever new town we landed in, one of the first trips we made was a visit to the local library.

My family never had a lot of extra money, but weekly excursions to the library made me feel showered in riches. My library card made it possible for me to check out as many books as I could carry; the best part was knowing that I could do so over and over again with a... I love books that celebrate books, so we’ve gathered a list of reads that celebrate different aspects of book culture. Libraries feature in several of them, while others focus on the role books play in changing people. And, of course, all of these books make wonderful gifts for the bookworms in your life. Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House

Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network Receive giveaways, book announcements and curated reading lists directly in your inbox. Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred. One of the most cherished stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an... A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as...

The "brilliant, funny, meaningful novel" (The New Yorker) that established J. D. Salinger as a leading voice in American literature--and that has instilled in millions of readers around the world a lifelong love of books. "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied... In honor of Literary Hub’s tenth birthday, we asked over 200 authors, editors, booksellers, publishing professionals, and other literary luminaries to weigh in on a few questions about the past, present, and future of... We will be sharing their opinions on various subjects with you over the next weeks, but to start, we’ve collated some of the best answers on one of our favorite questions: what’s the best...

NB that “recently,” in this case, meant the last 25 years (we’re long-term thinkers), and that rather than ask respondents to choose the best book published in the last 25 years, we asked them... Here are some of their responses, which reflect very little consensus—suggesting that books might not be dying in a monotonous, homogeneous heap after all: James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. It’s a perfect novel, and reads like it could have been published this year. –Kelsey McKinney, author and co-owner at Defector Giovanni’s Room.

“I stand at the window of this great house in the south of France as night falls, the night which is leading me to the most terrible morning of my life. I have a drink in my hand, there is a bottle at my elbow. I watch my reflection in the darkening gleam of the window pane. My reflection is tall, perhaps rather like an arrow, my blond hair gleams. My face is like a face you have seen many times. My ancestors conquered a continent, pushing across death-laden plains, until they came to an ocean which faced away from Europe into a darker past.”

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more. Getting back into reading can feel like restarting a long-lost habit — exciting but intimidating. Whether you’ve been away from books for months or years, the key is to start with stories that immediately pull you in and remind you why you loved reading in the first place. The books below are carefully selected for their readability, momentum, and emotional punch.

They’re the kind of stories that make you forget you’re even reading. Once you finish one, you’ll want to keep the streak going.aragraphs What if you could undo every regret and live all the lives you never chose? The Midnight Library is a mesmerizing dive into possibility, self-worth, and the meaning of life. The chapters are short and emotionally gripping — perfect for someone trying to fall back in love with books. Haig’s writing is accessible and heartfelt, blending emotional insight with a touch of fantasy.

It’s ideal for readers who want depth without heaviness, and will leave you thinking long after the last page. Eleanor is awkward, routine-driven, and secretly very lonely — until a random act of kindness begins to unravel her walls. This novel balances humor and heartbreak with remarkable grace, making it an easy but emotionally rewarding read. The writing flows smoothly, and Eleanor’s unique voice keeps the pages turning. For readers looking to ease back into fiction with a character you’ll root for, this is a top pick. Much like how any book can be a beach read if you try hard enough, any book can be the perfect cozy, blanket-worthy, fall/winter read if the temps outside deem it so.

There's a lot coming out on the publishing horizon but here are a few that might be worth some extra consideration as you're putting together your library hold list. Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood, Sept. 23 Patricia Lockwood's 2021 book, No One is Talking About This, was a novel about being sad and alone online, coming out at a time when a lot of us were sad and alone online. Lockwood's latest novel is a more straightforward COVID novel. But don't get it twisted – this being a Lockwood novel, don't expect it to be straightforward at all.

Your purchase helps support NPR programming. How? One of the few literary living legends we've got left, the book is Pynchon's first novel since 2013's Bleeding Edge. It takes place in the middle of the Great Depression, and follows Hicks McTaggert, "a one-time strikebreaker turned private eye," who goes out on a routine case which, as you can guess, turns out... Are you a bookworm looking for your next literary adventure? Whether you’re a fan of mystery, romance, sci-fi, or any other genre, there’s a book out there waiting to capture your imagination.

In this list, we’ve compiled 10 must-read books that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. So, grab your reading glasses, cozy up with a warm blanket, and get ready to dive into these captivating stories. “The Silent Patient” follows the gripping tale of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shoots her husband and then stops speaking. The story unravels through the eyes of Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to uncover the truth behind Alicia’s silence. With unexpected twists and a mind-bending conclusion, this psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Read more about “The Silent Patient” here

In “Circe,” Madeline Miller reimagines the myth of the Greek goddess Circe, known for her mastery of potions and witchcraft. Follow Circe’s journey as she navigates love, betrayal, and power in a world ruled by gods and monsters. Miller’s lyrical prose and rich storytelling make this novel a captivating read for fans of mythology and fantasy. Set in the marshes of North Carolina, “Where the Crawdads Sing” tells the story of Kya Clark, a young woman accused of murder in a small coastal town. Delia Owens weaves together themes of nature, loneliness, and resilience in this hauntingly beautiful novel. With its atmospheric setting and compelling narrative, this book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery.

We’ve all experienced it, the reading slump! But here are the best books to get back into reading. Because, try as you may, you can’t find a good book to keep your interest, and you desperately want one. To begin with, scan your list of books, wondering why any of these books are on your list. You want a new book, but it must be the right book. Getting out of a reading rut can be tough, but you will get back your love of reading.

Trying to get back into the reading habit can be challenging, but it can be accomplished with a few simple tips and an excellent list of book recommendations. Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through our links, we receive a small commission without additional costs to you. That’s what helps fund PrincetonBookReview.com so we can continue to help you find your next read. We truly appreciate it! You remember what it felt like to fall into a book and not surface for hours.

Books to get back into reading bring that feeling back. The kind of stories that draw you in from the first line and make every page feel like time well spent, that is exactly why this list is for. What follows next are not just good books but the entry points, the books to end a reading slump. They are the kind of stories that slip past your defenses and bring you back to start reading books again. The Book Thief does it with quiet heartbreak. The Alchemist does it with strange wisdom that lingers.

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Except, the night before the pageant begins, Ginny has a horrible allergic reaction and begs Charlotte to take her place until Ginny is well enough to step back in. But even though they look alike, Charlotte and Ginny are wildly different – is there any way they can pull off a con at this level? I read this last summer and blew through it in a day – it was just so so delightful. It’s also squeaky ...

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Sign Up For News About Books, Authors, And More From

Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network Receive giveaways, book announcements and curated reading lists directly in your inbox. Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred. One of the most cherished st...

The "brilliant, Funny, Meaningful Novel" (The New Yorker) That Established

The "brilliant, funny, meaningful novel" (The New Yorker) that established J. D. Salinger as a leading voice in American literature--and that has instilled in millions of readers around the world a lifelong love of books. "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied... ...