If you’re new to reading and want to cultivate a reading habit, it can be an exciting but often overwhelming start.
This is because there are about 158 million books worldwide, so it’s easy to get confused about the books to begin with. So, this article will help you find the right books to start reading as a beginner.
The Best Kinds of Books to Choose as Your First Book
Picking your initial books can be challenging because readers are spoilt for choices and genres.
However, if you start with the wrong book, you can get discouraged and might go back to your non-reading mode, which we don’t want.
The books to start reading as a beginner should have short chapters with manageable texts for easy comprehension. It should also have white space to prevent eye fatigue so you’re not discouraged from reading.
Additionally, if it’s fiction, the plotline should be simple and the characters relatable; this way, you’ll find them fascinating. But more importantly, reading them should help you develop your reading skills.
Here are the types of books a beginner can begin their reading journey with.
Fiction Books
Readers will tell you that fiction books help improve your vocabulary and language skills and spark your imagination and creativity.
But besides that, they don’t describe real events or facts; the characters and plots are born out of imagination. Simply put, they are imaginative stories. Therefore, they are a good idea for a beginner.
When selecting a fiction book, consider your interests, its complexity, and your reading level. When you find the book interesting, you’ll be committed to reading it. You can also search for reviews to learn more about the storyline.
Also read: How to Find Inspiration as a Fiction Writer
Types of Fiction Books to Start Reading as a Beginner
There are different genres of fiction, like romance, mystery, and science fiction. The genres below are best for you to start out reading.
1. Adventure and Action
These genres have exciting plots, quick storylines, engaging characters, and thrilling settings. They are captivating and build curiosity, keeping you on the edge and ensuring you read to the last page. Adventure and action fiction give you an escape from reality and offer mind-blowing experiences. These books can motivate you to embrace your sense of adventure.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is an adventure and action fiction book that is captivating and easy to read.
2. Mystery and Suspense
These have pleasant secrets and hidden legends that will stimulate your imagination. They allow you to explore a tension-filled atmosphere with unexpected twists and turns. These books will entertain you because they have depth and exciting stories.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a good example of an engaging mystery/thriller with a simple writing style.
3. Contemporary Fiction
These books reflect the difficulties of daily navigation in modern society. Though the stories are not actual real-life events, their characters are relatable and realistic. The themes used are also relevant and thought-provoking.
Contemporary fiction books examine pressing issues such as inequality and climate change. They are good for exploring your identity and environment. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is of this subgenre, and its language and dialogue are easy to understand.
4. Young Adult Books
Young adult isn’t a genre but generally describes books written for readers between 12 and 18 years old. They’re good books to start reading as a beginner because their storylines are straightforward, and their characters are engaging and relatable.
Young adult books are easy to understand and are perfect for developing reading skills. Their simple style and structure will aid you and keep you focused on the content and storyline. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a famous YA book that is appealing and conversational.
Non-Fiction Books
Nonfiction books explore topics about the real world. Unlike non-fiction, fiction is based on facts and not imagination. They provide valuable information, insights, and perspectives on many topics.
They’ll help you learn about history, science, social issues, etc. They’ll also expose you to diverse perspectives and ideas, which will increase your empathy and understanding.
They have various motivational and self-help books that are good for personal growth and development. They shape opinions, are educational, and can help you develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
Nonfiction books will expand your knowledge and understanding of the world.
Types of Non-Fiction Books to Start Reading as a Beginner
You’ll need to start with subjects that interest you and experiment with different subgenres. Choose books that have a clear structure and simple language.
5. Narrative Non-Fiction Books
If you think story-telling is found in fiction books alone, you’re far from the truth. This subgenre uses storytelling techniques to focus on real events and facts. They include travelogues and adventure narratives, historical accounts, and investigative journalism. The narrations are engaging, so you’ll not be bored. You can start with Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. This biography book is engaging and full of intrigue.
6. History and Politics Books
These books explain government structures and processes, political concepts, and theories. They also analyze political networks and provide an overview of global relations.
History and politics books tell you about major international conflicts and resolutions. This will give you a better understanding of past and present world events and policies.
The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson is a good book in this genre for beginners.
Also Read: Must-Have Reading Apps to Download as a Book Lover
7. Science and Technology Non-Fiction Books
If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’ll like this category. These knowledge-enhancing books will help you understand the impact of science and technology on daily life. They will give you insights on emerging technologies and help you adapt to these advancements.
The book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is full of facts and a joy to read.
8. Classic Literature
Classical literature is the traditional writings of ancient Greece and Rome. They also include other notable, excellent writings from a period that have endured in quality.
These books will increase your vocabulary, knowledge, and understanding of different cultures. They expose you to ageless concepts and universal human experiences. As a result, enhancing your cultural literacy and understanding.
It’s best to begin with short and accessible classic books; this will help you adjust to this kind of book. And if you encounter any difficulty when reading, you can use study guides and footnotes to aid your comprehension. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a simplistic tale that is easy to digest.
One Book at a Time
These are the types of books to start reading as a beginner. As you embark on your reading journey, they’ll help you establish your new hobby, and you’ll not be overwhelmed.
Books are important, and reading enhances your memory, interpersonal skills, and stress reduction. Picking up a book to read is the key to getting these benefits.
