Husbands never read a book

Why does he have to read if he doesn't enjoy reading?

I'm really big reader - I get through about 70ish books a year and have a book reviews blog. But I don't care if anyone else reads books or not. Reading is a hobby, not an obligation. I wouldn't buy books for someone who doesn't enjoy reading, any more than I'd buy a bike for someone who hates cycling.

It seems you are baffled that people like different things and to find things like that baffling sounds like you are someone who is unable to see someone else’s POV. If you can’t see how someone doesn’t like something you like, you’re probably tricky in an argument…

I also used to be an avid reader but it's dropped off the past few years. I love audiobooks though.

On audible or in print, I promise he will like these books
https://www.audible.co.uk/series/Gaunts-Ghosts-Audiobooks/B07YLZ7R3B

Books take up precious packing spaces on holiday. Kindle all the way.(Morgan computers usually have very good reconditioned ones cheap) I got a fire just for books and audible.
How about starting with a book of a film he likes?

I have a dh and two out of three dc who are 'non readers' and never read for pleasure.

They don't sit staring at the sky on holiday 😂 They listen to podcasts or music mainly when I'm reading.

Seems odd to buy someone a book when they don't enjoy reading.

The Halo books. They were books before a computer game before a tv series.

My dbro is not a reader, but he can manage (and more importantly, enjoy) a novel if he’s seen it on screen first. If your DH has enjoyed a film/TV series based on a book, he might find that easier to read.

If he’s seen it, I’d recommend Slow Horses, as it is very faithful to the book.

Why not buy him a Kindle and then he can choose for himself what he wants?

A pile of books to take on holiday as a non reader really just doesn’t make sense logistically. That’s a lot a space and weight taken up by something he might not enjoy. Kindle have just released new editions, a lot of people are upgrading so it’s probably a good time to buy a second hand base model kindle at the moment - if he likes it then great and if not it can probably be sold on for around what you paid for it. And an e-reader takes up significantly less room than even one book.

I'd go with the Martian or similar as suggested by a couple of people previously.

The other option to consider would be non-fiction written in narrative form. Ben Macintyre wrote operation mincemeat (now a film) and has recently done a new one about the siege of the Iranian embassy in London.

My friend's DH isn't much of a reader but he really enjoys an autobiography of people he knows and admires. Usually sporting or music heroes. Maybe worth a look?

Roofworld by Christopher Fowler..

Lots of very good books suggested already, but most of them I'd consider very good choices for a reader but terrible choices for a non-reader. Something from the YA section is much easier going, there are reasons why Harry Potter and The Hunger Games have been good at getting adults (including middle-aged men) back into the reading habit. Classic thrillers by Frederick Forsyth (The Fourth Protocol, The Day of The Jackal) or Robert Ludlum (Bourne) might also be a good call - pacy, page-turners written for holiday reading.

I'd agree with saving your money and not getting a pile 😉 but maybe three? With a variety of type. It depends a little on why he doesn’t read I think. For me I’ve had long periods when I can only get into stuff with clear plot lines that drive the novel forward, so crime fiction for example. Otherwise my brain flutters off and I can’t cope. But it had to be the right kind - Miss Smilla’s Sense of Snow is on the outside a crime novel but it’s too jumpy in time and unexplicit in explanations for an easy forward going read. If you need really simple you go Dan Brown I mean (for me that’s too dumb, others find them entertaining page turners).

There’s a SF series based somewhat on the Master and Commander books, so basically the captain strides about shouting technical orders and thinking about logistics. I find it boring as he’ll because I like Ursula Leguin, but I suspect a lot of men people who enjoy battle minutiae love it.

What does he enjoy on the telly?

I was going to suggest James Patterson or Lee Child. A lot of the books suggested here are not going to hook a non-reader!

Patterson and Child both write plot and character-centric novels which are focused on male action. My dad, who doesn’t read as a rule, will read them both.

My Dh doesn't read much (mild dyslexia) but is currently enjoying The Catalyst Series

My DH loves books by Michael Connolly, Peter James and Leee Child, which are not Sci Fi but are gripping, fast moving crime authors. As he doesn't read, books by James Patterson are good for holidays, as they have short chapters and are fast moving. A problem with audio books is if you are reading on a sun bed and doze off, the book keeps playing, so you have to bugger about finding the part where you fell asleep. Much easier to find your place in a book, and even easier on a Kindle.

How can you be 'baffled' by your own husband?

And many people don't like cats, that is not 'baffling' either.

I want to get him a pile of books for Christmas to take on holiday. This sounds a bit overbearing. Why not go book shopping together and he can choose for his holiday. It sounds like you're trying to improve him.

I went away for a couple of days in June and took a book with me that I've had kicking around for a couple of years; I got through maybe a third of it and haven't picked it up since I got back. I just don't enjoy reading fiction.

I do go to the cinema at least twice a week which a lot of people seem to rarely do, and I have the radio/music on all day (and likewise would if I was sitting by a pool). There are lots of things which don't interest me that I haven't done for decades - I can't see why that would be in any way 'not great'?

Echo graphic novels idea. DH has loads of 2000 AD.

How about a graphic novel? Plenty in the sci fi genre.

Easy read for your DH - The 39 Steps by John Buchan.

Stephen King is not a good shout I'm sorry. If someone isn't a reader you can't just buy them a book from one of the most descriptive and wordy authors and expect them to read it.

I personally love reading but I wouldn't try and convert my husband if he didn't. It's not a big deal, not everyone has to enjoy reading...