If you want to imbibe one good habit, let it be reading. When you follow the lives of some of the most successful people across the world β it doesn’t matter which industry they belong to β you’ll find one thing in common, and that is reading. Reading expands your horizons and propels your growth. Since you are a new reader, it must be pretty hard to pick the right book.
Best Books To Read For Beginners!
Trust me; I get it! Choosing the right book is important because a good book sets you in the mood to read consistently. In this blog, I have curated 20 books that are ideal for new readers, aka beginners. I have tried to make this list super wholesome by adding all sorts of books, keeping in mind that they are perfect for a new reader. So, do not worry. We have got you covered. Here are the best books to start reading habit:
1. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
I want to start this list with a super special recommendation. Matt Haig‘s book ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ is nothing less than life-altering. This book may even have the potential to save lives. In this memoir, Matt shares his experience with depression and anxiety. At the age of 24, the author first faced the severity of depression. What makes this book so special is how beautifully it plants the seed of hope in your heart.
β YOU CAN ALSO CHECK: Best Matt Haig Books To Read & Find Comfort! π€ π
Matt Haig shared his traumatic encounter with depression and anxiety and managed to teach how to overcome mental illness. He has shared some vital lessons in the book that will come in handy for anyone battling mental illness. Since we are right in the middle of a pandemic, we must take care of our mental health. Also, the writing is simple, easy, and accessibleβjust the right book for someone looking for a quick dose of positivity and hope. You can get the book here! π
2. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
I love Nicola Yoon‘s writing so much. It’s intriguing, fun, and accessible. In her debut novel, she tells the story of Madeline Whittier, who is suffering from this rare disease called ‘Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.’ Because of this illness, Madeline has to always stay indoors with lots of precautions. If someone comes to meet her, they have to be properly sanitized. However, magic unfolds when a family moves next door, and Madeline befriends a boy named Olly. Trust me; this book is nothing less than breathtaking. It’s intriguing, sensitive, and so much fun β just the right combination for a new reader. You can get the book here! π
3. If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer Armentrout
This has to be one of the best books for beginners. The story revolves around Lena Wise, who is in her senior year and is looking forward to so much fun and making unforgettable memories that she will cherish for the rest of her life. Also, she likes her childhood best friend Sebastian but doesn’t know how to tell him that. Could it be any more relatable? We have all been there! However, because of an impulsive choice that Lena took in the spur of the moment, everything changes. She is filled with guilt and regret. If you want to know what happened and how Lena moved on from it, you have to pick this book and read it ASAP. You can get the book here! π
4. Life’s Amazing Secrets: How to Find Balance and Purpose in Your Life by Gaur Gopal Das
If you love the content that Gaur Gopal Das shares on the internet, you will love this book even more. In this book, Gaur Gopal Das shares lessons that will help you bring work-life balance and practice gratitude. It’s also a quick read. The writing is crisp, clear, and straightforward. So, if you are a beginner and looking for some wisdom, this book will set the right tone for you. You can get the book here! π
5. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero
They say money-mindset, business books aren’t fun and are not for beginners. But what if a new reader wants to read such a book to bring change into their lives? Well, here’s your answer. Jen Sincero is one of my most favorite authors. Her writing style is infectious, and you won’t be able to put down her book. You will be hooked from the very first page. In this particular book, Sincero shares lessons from her own experiences that shaped her relationship with money. From being broke to becoming successful, she has shared it all. You can get the book here! π
6. Looking for Alaska by John Green
John Green is the king of writing Young Adult Fiction. ‘Looking for Alaska’ was his first book, so indeed, it is unique. The book is about a teenage boy Miles Halter who loves to remember people’s last words. Fascinating, isn’t it? Now Miles leaves his school in Florida and joins Culver Creek Preparatory High School situated in Alabama. He befriends Alaska, who is a super intriguing character herself. The book follows multiple themes, like, searching for the meaning of life, grief, loneliness, friendship, etc. So, if you are up for something intense and exciting, then this is the one for you. You can get the book here! π
β YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: John Greenβs Obsession with Prodigies and Characters!
7. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
If you are a romance lover, you have to read this book. This story is about two teenagersβNatasha Kingsley, a Jamaican American girl who has 24 hours until her family gets deported to Jamaica; and Daniel Bae, a Korean American who wants to pursue his passion of becoming a poet but feels pressured not to follow it, for his parent’s sake. Natasha is logical and sees everything through the lens of science. Daniel, on the other hand, is a hard-core romantic. Just imagine the combination of the two! To know more about their stories and how they go about solving their problems, you have to pick a copy of this book. You can get the book here! π
8. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
All of us can’t reject the material world and become monks. So, what if we could continue to live our everyday life but with a monk mindset? It would be perfect. That’s precisely the premise of this book. Jay Shetty makes wisdom accessible to his readers with his book. He shares lessons on relationships, work, ambition, heartbreak, trauma, and so much more. Some things are in our control, and some are not. The key is to focus on the things we have control over, and that is our minds. Thus, this book will empower you with ancient wisdom customized into tiny baby steps so you can put them into action and live a life free of anxiety. You can get the book here! π
9. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
If you are ready to cry yourself to devastation, then pick this book. ‘Me Before You,’ is a romance novel that explores the story of Louisa Clark, aka Lou, and Will Traynor. A terrible motorcycle accident leaves Will Traynor devasted. His mother appoints Lou to keep him company and cheer him up. The two start on a rough note but eventually fall in love. However, it’s just not a love story. It’s so much more than that. It’s about exploring new possibilities in life, growing, and finding your higher self. The writing is fluid and straightforward, making it perfectly beginner-friendly. You can get the book here! π
10. Love for Imperfect Things: How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfection by Haemin Sunim
In a world that is so obsessed with perfection, it’s so difficult to accept yourself just as you are. Haemin Sunim covers the themes of love, hope, grief, loss, and suffering in his book ‘Love for Imperfect Things.’ Also, the book is so beautiful with its colorful illustrations and aesthetics. You will find several relatable quotes that will help you tackle tricky situations in your life. So, if you want to pick something calming and relaxing, you should indeed read this book. You can get the book here! π
11. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Nina Hill is an introvert, loves books, works at a bookstore, has a fantastic trivia team, and a cute cat. Everything is perfect until her father died β who she didn’t know existed β leaving behind a huge family. The book is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring your true-real self. Sounds like something you would want to read? You can get the book here! π
12. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupΓ©ry
This book is categorized under children’s literature but trust me, this book is for people across all ages. The story revolves around a young prince who goes from one planet to another, and through that journey, the author explores multiple themes, including love, friendship, loneliness, loss, grief, etc. The writing is easy and hence, perfect for beginners. You can get the book here! π
13. Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
Short stories are great for beginners! ‘Men Without Women’ is Murakami’s collection of short stories that explore stories of men who are alone and in despair. The writing in this book is exquisite as well as simple.Β You can get the book here! π
β YOU CAN ALSO: Learn What Separates A Haruki Murakami Novel From Others!
14. The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
If you want to learn about mindfulness and meditation, then this is the book for you. Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh has shared multiple ways in which you can achieve freedom from anxiety and live a liberated life. The writing is very relaxing and ideal for a new reader. You can get the book here! π
15. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Whatβs better than a beautiful love story with a sad ending? Yes, we readers like to destroy ourselves. John Greenβs book βThe Fault in Our Starsβ is the love story between Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace Lancaster, who meet each other in a cancer support group and inevitably fall in love. The author beautifully captures the theme of grief, and his writing is simple yet charming. The quotes are to die for! You can get the book here! π
16. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Imagine reading a classic as your first read. Too ambitious? Well, not really. The Catcher in the Rye is one such classic that is simple, relevant, and relatable. Especially if you are a teenager, this book is a must-read as it explores the themes of alienation, teenage loneliness, etc. You can get the book here! π
17. Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson
‘Let it Snow’ is a perfect book for new readers because it’s fun and straightforward. It’s a collection of three separate stories that intersect with each other. The stories emanate holiday vibes and are super fun to read. So, if you want to read something cheerful that will instantly elevate your mood, you need to pick this book. You can get the book here! π
18. The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad by Twinkle Khanna
We all know Twinkle Khanna for her witty answers and great sense of humor. In her book ‘Legends of Laxmi Prasad,’ she shares a collection of four short stories. Her writing in this book is eloquent and straightforward, making it a perfect read for beginners. You can get the book here! π
19. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Book recommendations for beginners will be incomplete without Paulo Coelho‘s book The Alchemist. The story follows an Andalusian shepherd boy who is travel thirsty and is set on a treasure hunt. The story is magical and spiritual. The writing is also easy and accessible for new readers.Β You can get the book here! π
β RELATED READING: Paulo Coelho β A Traveler in the Shoes of a Storyteller!
20. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson murders her husband and becomes silent right after. Neither does she defends herself nor accepts the charges. She is admitted to the forensic unit called The Grove. She becomes what we call the ‘Silent Patient.’ Theo Faber, who is a forensic psychotherapist, finds her case deeply intriguing. Thus, he sets out to apply for the position of a psychotherapist at the Grove and gets appointed. So, will Theo be able to make Alicia speak? Did Alicia kill her husband, and if she did, then why? If you want to know the answers, you have to pick this best-selling psychological thriller yourself. You can get the book here! π
Let us know in the comments the books that you will be reading from this list. You can also join our group BookWritten on Facebook and share your reading journey with us. You can also use the #BookWritten with your bookish posts on Instagram. We would love to follow your reading journey!
That combination is good for every who finds for vocabulary book. I only except 2-3. All Book Title very beautiful serial-wise.
Nice list and the short summary. Looking forward for more Lists.
Thank you. Your list has helped me greatly!!
It doesn’t seem like you have books on your list that are for beginning African American readers especially adults. I was approached by someone today who wants to learn to read and I really don’t know where to start. We are living in a nursing home and our resources are limited
Hi Becca, we sincerely apologize for that, we’ll definitely update this list with more great suggestions. You can try “Becoming” by Michelle Obama as well. Here is our review for that:
https://bookwritten.com/becoming-by-michelle-obama-review/187/
Hi Becca,
I really love Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s books! She is a brilliant author. Try “Purple Hibiscus” and “Half of a Yellow Sun”
Hope this helps!
RAMCHARIT series books by AMISH is also good. if anyone like spirituality with some onknown tresure of history.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger and Me Before You by Jojo Moyes are my most favorite books. Anyone looking for a vocabulary book can benefit from that combination. I only make exceptions for 2-3. Beautiful book titles in terms of series.