Are you wanting to pick up reading as a new hobby? Maybe you’re trying to get out of a reading slump and looking for phenomenal books to help you get back on track.
If you haven’t read in a long time, picking up reading as a hobby can be intimidating. It’s difficult to know which books are worth reading, how to find the time, and whether you’ll be able to commit to it.
Finding the right books is one of the most important steps to follow when starting to read again. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to force yourself to read books off the first “books everyone MUST read” list you find. Most of those lists are filled with great books, but don’t always include the best options for beginners.
This list of easy, fast-paced books will surely help you get back into reading.
NBC / Via giphy.com
“Verity” by Colleen Hoover – Psychological thriller
“What you read will taste so bad at times, you’ll want to spit it out, but you’ll swallow these words, and they will become part of you, part of your gut, and you will hurt because of them.” – Verity Crawford, from “Verity”
Grand Central Publishing
Lowen Ashleigh is uprooted from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan to the serene Vermont countryside for a once in a lifetime opportunity. She has a lot of work ahead of her after being hired by a publisher to ghostwrite the final three novels in a popular series after the author, Verity Crawford, was involved in an accident. While sorting through Verity’s materials, Lowen discovers something unexpected. A manuscript Verity never meant for anyone to read, an incomplete autobiography. Page after page is filled with horrifying confessions, including a story of the night her family’s life was changed forever. Lowen becomes engrossed in Verity’s narrative of obsession, deception, and death. However, one must wonder, is Lowen reading fact or fiction?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
You might also enjoy…
“Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren – Romance
“It never occurred to me that love could be anything other than all consuming. Even as a child, I knew I never wanted anything less.” – Macy Sorensen, from “Love and Other Words”
Simon and Schuster/Gallery
Alternating between past and present, we follow the story of Macy Sorensen and Elliot Petropoulos, two people who have found comfort in a closet and a shared love of words and books. As the summers pass and friendship blooms, so does love, but love doesn’t always work out as planned.
Eleven years later, Macy, now a pediatric resident, believes she has everything she wants in life – a stable career, a decent boyfriend, and a quiet, ordinary life. However, it all comes crashing down when she and Elliot cross paths once again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
You might also enjoy…
- “November 9” by Colleen Hoover
“The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller – Greek Mythology/LGBT
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.” – Patroclus, from “The Song of Achilles”
Bloomsbury Publishing
This novel is a retelling of Homer’s “Iliad” as told from Patroclus’ point of view. After the awkward young prince is exiled from his home, Patroclus meets the famous Achilles. The two become friends, and as their skills in war and medicine grow stronger, so does their bond. However, when news arrives that war is inevitably coming, Achilles must go and fulfill his prophecy. Patroclus, torn between love and loyalty to his companion, follows him blindly, unprepared for the events that lie ahead.
This story is epic, timeless, and melancholic, but is told with great sentiment, heart, and soul to play the song of Achilles.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
You might also enjoy…
- “Circe” by Madeline Miller
“The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Mystery
“Everything’s a game, Avery Grambs. The only thing we get to decide in this life is if we play to win.” – Jameson Hawthorn, from “The Inheritance Games”
Little, Brown and Company
Avery Grambs is a high school student, surviving her way through until she can land a scholarship to a college with a sound major. Until one day, she’s left almost the entire fortune of a billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, a man she’s never even met before or has any link to whatsoever. Of course, there’s a catch (and an angry family) to deal with. In order to receive her inheritance, she must move into the Hawthorne House, where every room reflects the old man’s love for riddles and puzzles. However, the house is also occupied by the family Tobias just disinherited in favor of Avery, including his four grandsons who believed they were going to be granted his fortune. Now Avery must play the game not only to figure out why she was chosen, but also to survive.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
You might also enjoy…
Nickelodeon / Via giphy.com
What other binge-worthy books would you add to this list to recommend fellow readers? Are there any genres you’d like recommendations for? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at @asicpp.
